Pig sunburn causes skin irritation to pigs

Pig Sunburn: How to Help Your Sunburned Pig

As summer approaches, you’ll want to make sure that your pigs are protected from the hot summer sun or they may get sunburns. Pig sunburns can be painful and scary to deal with. 

I wanted to find out how to best protect pigs’ skin from the sun so I called up one of my friends who has been raising Pigs in the hot Arizona sun for 15 years. Here’s what I learned. 

How Do Pigs Protect Themselves From the Sun? Pigs avoid sunburn by wallowing in mud and covering themselves in it, which keeps moisture in their skin and helps to keep out the sun. Pigs are drawn to mud because it provides a natural way to stay cool and shaded from the sun. 

Pigs exposed to the sun for extended periods of time may also have lighter fur. Pigs must have shade and access to mud pits in order to avoid sunburn and protect themselves from the sun.

Let’s dive in.

Can Pig Skin Get Sunburned?

Pigs’ skin can burn in the sun. Pigs are susceptible to sunburn if not properly protected because they lack dense hair to shield their skin from the sun. 

Pigs can get sunburn anywhere on their body, including their back, but the snout and ears are the areas most frequently affected. Pigs who get sunburned can develop red skin, blisters, and pain. 

Sunburn can also affect a pig’s reproductive system and ability to maintain pregnancy. Pigs have been seen wallowing in mud to keep moisture in their skin and form a protective layer from the sun in order to shield themselves from the sun.

Pig Sunburn Symptoms 

If your pig’s skin has turned a dark shade of red (with visible blisters) and is hot to the touch, then your pig is sunburnt. If your pig has a minor sunburn, it might peel or be itchy, causing your pig to scratch at it against posts.

Monitor your pig closely, especially if they keep drinking water. This shows they’re dehydrated and may be followed by panting and coughing. Your pig will not want to move around; if they aren’t lying down on their stomachs, they’ll be hunched over in pain.

In severe cases, pigs are known to vomit and experience muscle tremors.

What Happens If A Pig Gets Sunburned? 

Sunburned pigs show a number of symptoms, including red skin, blistering, and lightening of the fur. Additionally, sunburned skin can become edematous, painful, hot, and later appear roughened and possibly peel. 

When sunburned, pigs may have a brief “attack” of pain, squeal, or droop their backs while walking. Sunburn can affect a pig’s reproductive system and ability to maintain pregnancy in addition to its skin. In addition, providing shade for pigs can reduce their risk of getting sunburned.

  • Hunched over in pain
  • Visible blisters on the skin
  • Panting and coughing
  • Lethargy 
  • Increased water intake
  • Not wanting to move around
  • Lying on their stomach 
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle trembling
  • Dehydration
  • Fever

Preventing Pig Sunburn

To prevent your pig from getting sunburned, ensure there is adequate shade and a wallow pool close by when your pig spends time outdoors. Wallowing in a mud pool helps them cool down and protects their skin from the sun. Ensure you rub sunscreen lotion on your pig’s skin for extra protection against the sun.

Running sprinklers in your garden will also help keep them cool and make a good wallow pool. Here are some tips to help ease the itchiness of sunburn:

Firstly, to avoid future sunburn, ensure there is adequate shade and a wallow pool close by when your pig spends time outdoors. Wallowing in a mud pool helps them cool down and protects their skin from the sun. Garden sprinklers can also help.

  1. Soak a towel in tepid water (cold water can send your pig into shock, which can lead to a heart attack and death). Place the towel on your pig’s neck and back to cool them down. Soak the towel often to ensure that it’s cooling your pig down.
  2. Provide your pig with electrolytes to ensure they don’t dehydrate or develop heat stroke.
  3. Spraying a solution of diluted vinegar on your pig’s skin is an excellent way to “remove” the heat from the sunburn as the vinegar evaporates. This will help significantly.
  4. Apply an emollient or rescue cream to sunburnt areas to help heal and ease the burning and itching. The cream will also help soften dry and flaky skin.
  5. Take your pig to a shady area (oils can cause a deeper burn when exposed to direct sunlight) and rub coconut oil on their sunburnt skin to help with the itchiness. Mixing coconut oil with their food is also a great option.
  6. Using the “forking” method is an effective and gentle way to help with the itchiness. Use an object such as a fork (or anything that works as a back scratcher) and gently run it along your pig’s midline and on either side of their body. 

Treating Sunburned Pigs

Rubbing sunscreen lotion on your pig’s skin for extra protection against the sun is an absolute must.

You can help your sunburned pig  by soaking a towel in tepid water (cold water can send your pig into shock, which can lead to a heart attack and death). Focus on placing the towel on your pig’s neck and back to help cool them down.

Provide your pig with electrolytes to prevent them from dehydrating or developing heat stroke. A great way to draw the heat from the sunburn is by using a vinegar solution on your pigs’ skin.

As the vinegar evaporates, the heat will be drawn out of the sunburn. Apply an emollient or rescue cream to sunburnt areas to help heal and ease the burning and itching. The cream will also help soften dry and flaky skin.

Rub coconut oil on your pig’s sunburnt skin to help with the itchiness. Mixing coconut oil with their food is also a great option. Ensure you apply the oil in a shady spot, as oils can cause a deeper burn when exposed to direct sunlight.

Top Tip: Try the “forking” method to help with the itchiness. You can use an object such as a fork (or anything that works as a back scratcher) and gently run it along your pig’s midline and on either side of their body. This has an almost tickling effect, relaxing your pig and easing the itching. Forking is a great way to bond with your pig as well.

Why Are Pigs So Dirty?

Pigs are considered dirty because they love to roll in the mud. However, consider that dirty is not the same as germy. Disease, germs, and infection of parasites occur more often when feces is combined with a pig’s food. Pigs avoid this type of dirty as much as possible. When pigs are confined to small areas, they will make a mess of their slop and waste.

But, pigs are not naturally filthy. When given enough space, pigs will keep their food and waste in separate parts of the pen. They will not roll in their feces or eat it. This helps pigs stay clean and free them from issues that often plague commercial pigs, such as worms. 

Pigs prefer clean food, plants, and bugs. However, their strong appetites compel them to eat nearly anything that is provided to them. If they are not able to forage for plants, bugs, and other healthy foods, their strong hunger will compel them to eat nearly anything. Even though they will eat the slop of your table, rotten food, and other waste food, it isn’t usually the food they prefer. 

People also assume pigs are slobs because they like rolling in the mud. This isn’t a sign of filthiness as much as a sign of heat. Pigs protect their sensitive skin from the sun by coating it with mud. The mud also helps to keep them cool in the summer.

Sunburned Pigs FAQs

Do pigs use mud as sunscreen? Pigs cover themselves with mud to protect their skin from sunburns and to keep themselves cool. Pigs cannot sweat and their skin is sensitive and can easily become sunburned. Mud provides much of the same protection that clothing provides people by shading pig skin from the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. 

Can You Use Human Sunscreen on Animals? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) advises against applying human sunscreen to pets because it may result in stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, and liver damage if consumed in large quantities. 

Is There Sunscreen For Pigs? There are not specific sunscreens for pigs, but there are sunscreens that are safe to apply to the skin of dogs and other pets. Use products created especially for pets, without added fragrances or colors, and with a minimum SPF of 15. In order to provide adequate protection even when the pet is wet, these products should also be waterproof.

What Lotion Can I Use On My Pigs’s Skin? Coconut oil is a great conditioner for your pig’s skin. Other lotions that are coconut oil-based and that are approved for animal use will also work. 

Do pigs look up? Most everyone agrees that pigs can’t look up, but we disagree! Pigs can look up, but they have limitations when looking at the sky or star gaze.

References

ASPCA.Org

Pets and Suncreen

My Most Used Pig Supplies

This list contains affiliate products. Affiliate products do not cost more but helps to support BestFarmAnimals and our goal to provide farm animal owners with accurate and helpful information.

Purina Pig Chow will last well (or Mazuri is popular, but I haven’t tried it), and the stainless steel non-skid bowls that will help keep the mess down.

A pig blanket to keep her warm. This one also has bright colors and helps to provide rooting without the destruction.

Pig Harness for walking and handling your pig. There are a lot to choose from, but this one is pretty easy to use. If you want one that has a separate leash, this looks like a good one.

A large crate for keeping her safe in your house at night and when you leave the house. This is essential. You’ll also want a litterbox, and I like mine with a lid for nighttime. Pine shavings are best, and you may be able to find them in larger quantities locally.

When you have accidents, Odoban will help eliminate odors. When you are potty training, these floor pads work great for keeping your house clean while training her to go in certain places.

You’ll also want an outdoor house to keep her warm when she gets outside time, an essential part of her development.

Dewormer- Ivermectin is the primary dewormer I use, although I do rotate with a non-ivermect ingredient once so that the worms don’t get immune to it.

Scroll to Top