Providing proper health care for your pig includes keeping their tusks and hooves trimmed. Females rarely need their tusks trimmed while males, even when neutered, will need to have theirs trimmed regularly. How often this needs to be done is dependent on the age a male is neutered. Trimming will keep your pig safe from getting caught in fencing or other objects, as well as keeping people and other pets safe from being gored. For most pigs, tusk trimming can be performed while the pig is on its back. One person should straddle the pig to hold it in an upright position while also holding back the lips to keep them from being burned by the sawing wire. Another person uses a sawing motion with the wire to trim the tusks above the gum line. Keeping your pig’s hooves trimmed to the proper length will increase their mobility and stabilization while walking. Regular trims can decrease leg and foot problems and keep your pig comfortable. Again, the pig should be positioned on its back with one person straddling the pig. With a helper, both front and back hooves can be trimmed at the same time using various sized trimmers. Most pigs will voice their displeasure during the process but as soon as returning to an upright position, they immediately forget that anything was amiss. Tusk and hoof trimming should not be attempted at home until an experienced trimmer has trained you. Without proper training, you could be placing yourself and your pig in danger. If you don’t feel comfortable doing your own pig’s hooves or tusks, your pig’s vet may be able to perform this task for you. Beware, however, of vets using anesthesia to do nothing more than a hoof trim. It is simply not necessary and can be very dangerous for the pig. Another source for experienced hoof trimmers is a local pig sanctuary. Go to www.9sites.com and click on ‘Pig Placements’ for a list of pig sanctuaries by state. For pig owners in Arizona, call Norton’s Hoof and Tusk at 520-682-4686.