Chronic pain in farmed pigs is often underrecognized and undertreated. Conditions including lameness, joint disease, and tail injuries cause lasting suffering in millions of animals annually.
Chronic pain represents one of the most serious and widespread welfare problems in pig farming. Because pigs naturally suppress signs of vulnerability in group settings, chronic pain is frequently missed by stockpeople without formal training. The Pig Grimace Scale and behavioral observation protocols offer practical tools for on-farm pain assessment. Underlying causes including hard flooring, overcrowding, and barren environments must be addressed at the system level rather than relying solely on analgesic treatment. Proactive hoof care, injury surveillance, and euthanasia of severely affected animals are essential components of a responsible pain management protocol.