Farm Animals

Welfare of Pigs During Heat Stress

Pigs are highly susceptible to heat stress, which causes significant welfare harm and economic losses in intensive farming operations globally.

Key Facts

Pigs cannot sweat effectively and rely on panting and wallowing to cool down
Heat stress causes reduced feed intake, reproductive failure, and immune suppression
Summer heat waves cause significant pork production losses and pig mortality
Outdoor systems providing wallowing access dramatically reduce heat stress
Climate change is increasing heat stress frequency and severity in pig farming regions

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress in pigs causes acute suffering including respiratory distress, weakness, and elevated mortality during heat waves. Welfare-friendly housing with proper ventilation, cooling systems, and outdoor wallowing access substantially reduces heat stress impacts.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare standards requiring cooling provisions and outdoor access
Advocate for heat stress emergency protocols in livestock welfare regulations
Choose pork from farms with documented cooling management programs
Donate to welfare research on heat stress prevention in commercial pig production