Farm Animals

Pig Intelligence and Cognitive Welfare

Pigs demonstrate remarkable cognitive abilities including problem-solving and empathy, with implications for the quality of cognitive and environmental stimulation they require.

Key Facts

Pigs can use mirrors to locate hidden food demonstrating mirror-understanding
They demonstrate optimism and pessimism in cognitive bias tests indicating emotional states
Emotional contagion has been demonstrated between pigs in positive and negative states
Pigs can learn to operate joysticks to move on-screen objects
They have cognitive abilities comparable to dogs and some primates

Welfare Considerations

Cognitive complexity in pigs means that barren environments without problem-solving opportunities cause frustration and boredom beyond simply preventing physical behaviour. Cognitive enrichment including novel objects, training interactions, and varied environments supports positive emotional states. Recognising pig intelligence as morally relevant to welfare assessment strengthens the case for enriched environments that provide genuine mental stimulation.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring cognitive enrichment for pigs
Choose pork from farms providing varied and novel enrichment experiences
Advocate for housing standards that enable social and cognitive complexity
Support research into cognitive welfare assessment for pigs
Engage with public discussions about pig intelligence and welfare implications