True pig welfare is not just the absence of pain and fear but the presence of positive experiences. Identifying and promoting positive welfare indicators transforms how we assess and improve pig lives.
The welfare science of farmed pigs has traditionally focused on reducing negatives — pain, fear, injury, disease. This approach, while essential, misses an important dimension: pigs have the capacity for genuinely positive experiences, and a welfare framework that only minimises suffering falls short of what these intelligent animals deserve. Research on positive affect in pigs has identified reliable behavioural indicators — play, exploration, affiliative contact — and physiological correlates including oxytocin and dopamine activity. Farms that actively promote positive welfare do more than reduce suffering: they create conditions where pigs can thrive. This positive welfare approach also produces measurable production benefits, providing economic alignment with welfare goals.