Measuring Positive Welfare in Pigs

Positive welfare science moves beyond preventing suffering to actively promoting positive experiences, with pig play, exploration, and social bonding emerging as key indicators.

Key Facts

Play behaviour in pigs indicates positive welfare states and is reduced in barren environments
Pigs show pessimistic cognitive bias in poor welfare conditions similar to depression markers
Ear postures and vocalisation patterns are validated positive welfare indicators in pigs
Social play including chasing and jaw wrestling occurs in enriched environments
Positive emotions in pigs may be contagious through vocalisation and social learning

Welfare Considerations

Welfare science increasingly recognises that absence of suffering is insufficient for good animal welfare — positive experiences including play, exploration, and social bonding are integral components of a good life for pigs. Pigs in barren environments not only suffer from frustration but are denied the positive experiences they are capable of. Evidence that pigs can transfer emotional states socially means the quality of welfare for one individual affects their groupmates. Farms that actively promote positive welfare opportunities rather than simply reducing suffering provide substantially better welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support farms certified under higher-welfare schemes that assess positive welfare
Advocate for positive welfare assessment in farm assurance and inspection systems
Donate to research organisations developing validated positive welfare measures
Choose pork products from farms committed to pig play and enrichment programs
Raise awareness about the distinction between preventing suffering and promoting positive welfare