Farm Animals

Pig Pain Recognition and Management

Pain recognition in pigs has improved significantly with validated grimace scales, but under-treatment of pain in commercial pig farming remains a major welfare concern.

Key Facts

The Porcine Pain Facial Action Coding System enables objective pig pain scoring
Castration without analgesia was standard practice in many countries until recently
Pain from lameness, tail biting wounds, and injuries is often undertreated in pigs
Post-operative pain management following hernia repairs is inconsistently provided
Pigs show behavioural changes including reduced activity and altered posture when in pain

Welfare Considerations

Pain in pigs is frequently under-recognised and under-treated due to the stoic nature of prey animals and the scale of commercial pig farming making individual attention difficult. Validated pain assessment tools combined with mandatory analgesic protocols for known painful procedures dramatically reduce suffering. Training stockmen to recognise subtle pain indicators is the critical first step in improving pain management on pig farms.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory pain relief requirements for pig castration and tail docking
Advocate for pain assessment training in pig farming qualifications
Choose pork from producers with documented pain management protocols
Support research into pig pain recognition and treatment
Encourage farmers to engage with veterinary pain management guidance