Cavies: How To Ear Tag Your Show Cavy

This was a popular article from our old cavy website:  Tagging your show cavy is necessary for showing, identification and record keeping purposes.  You can purchase your cavy tag pliers and ear tags from any rabbit supply vendor, usually for under $40.  The tags come pre-numbered and you might be able to order tags with your own numbers or code on them for extra cost.  The tags are made of a corrosion resistant metal and will last the life of the cavy. 

Ear-tagging your cavy is quite easy to do - it is not a traumatic event as portrayed by pet cavy groups - in fact, most of our cavies didn't seem affected by it other than the few seconds it took to put the tag in, and even then their reactions were very mild!

Ear Tag Placement

First, here are a few pictures showing different ear tag placements - you want your tag to be high enough in the ear so your cavy doesn't scratch it out or catch it. 

The curved edge of the tag should follow the natural edge of the cavy's ear - too tight and you'll fold over the ear edge under the tag (a little is ok-such as in the picture below), and too loose, you'll leave a gap that the cavy's nail can catch if he scratches his head. 

NOTE:  when tagging a very young cavy, you do have to leave a gap beyond the natural ear line to allow for the ear to grow - just a little bit is all that's needed. 

	The cream cavy to your left has the tag placed too low in the ear, and too loose - you can see how it hangs off the edge of the ear.

Tagging Your Cavy

First, get your ear tag supplies all ready:

Cavy Ear Tag Pliers

Several Ear Tags

Gauze (or a clean rag in case you need it)

Make sure your area is well lit, you have your glasses if you need them, and a helper is always great to have, especially if you've never done this before!

Put the tag in the jaw of the pliers - you can see from the picture how it should look.  Don't squeeze the pliers handle too much while the tag is in the jaws or you will bend the tag!  If you accidentally bend the tag - just throw it away and put a new one in.

Here is how the tag looks after you squeeze it shut - the bottom point of the tag inserts through the cavy ear and is pushed through a hole in the top of the tag, after which, it hits the indentation in the pliers top and is bent over and sealed shut.  Practice on a piece of paper so you can see what kind of pressure to use- not much is needed.

When you are ready, have your helper firmly hold the cavy's head, and firmly hold the back and rear of the cavy to prevent movement.  If you don't have a helper - you can wedge the cavy against your side with one arm, and use that hand to assist your other hand with inserting the ear tag.

IN THE LEFT EAR - Carefully place the pliers (with a tag in it)- high in the ear,-almost under the hairline.  The ear should be in between the tag in the jaws of the pliers.

When you are ready, squeeze the pliers shut and release it quickly.  This should be one quick movement with immediate release.

Very few cavies ever show much reaction to this procedure, although your pig may squeak once or twice.  We have never had an ear bleed from this - but it is nice to have gauze or a rag handy just in case.   Of course, we always had the carrot nearby for the immediate treat afterwards too!  Usually, the tag is quickly forgotten and the cavy goes on with his or her day-to-day routine without much notice of it.

What If You Make a Mistake?

Minor mistakes happen - just leave the tag unless you feel it is placed so poorly that the cavy can get hurt if it catches on something or if the ear is greatly folded under.  Obviously you don't need perfection...how do you think we got all those pics of incorrect ear tag placement?  Sometimes tag will 'turn around' in the cavy's ear so that the number will be on the underside of the ear instead of the top - this can happen if the tag was installed too loosely, and sometimes it can happen when a cavy scratches his ear/head- again, you can usually just leave the tag alone.

To Remove An Ear Tag

Ear tags are usually quite easy to remove - get a good front-nipping wire cutter, grasp the cavy's ear - use your fingers to gently push the cavy's ear edge up into the tag towards the top of the ear, until the curved edge of the tag is exposed - then snip the tag in half.  It will fall away from the ear.