Growing research into octopus cognition and sentience is informing welfare standards for research and potentially commercial use of these highly intelligent animals.
Octopuses used in research or potentially farmed commercially deserve welfare consideration proportional to their remarkable cognitive sophistication. Research octopuses that are enriched, housed appropriately, and provided pain management show better welfare and often provide higher quality scientific data. Growing recognition of octopus sentience is beginning to improve research and husbandry standards.