Pigs are among the most cognitively capable farmed animals and benefit significantly from enrichment that challenges their problem-solving abilities and satisfies their curious nature.
The cognitive capabilities of pigs create both welfare obligations and opportunities. Their intelligence means they can suffer from boredom and frustration in barren environments, but it also means they respond enthusiastically to enrichment that engages their problem-solving abilities. Puzzle feeders, foraging tasks and novel exploration opportunities provide genuine cognitive satisfaction that measurably improves welfare indicators. The investment in cognitive enrichment pays dividends in reduced aggression, better health and — importantly — in the experience of animals who are capable of genuine positive states when properly engaged.