Farmed Animal Welfare

Pig Pain Assessment: Grimace Scales and Clinical Tools

Validated pain assessment tools for pigs are transforming how farmers and veterinarians detect and respond to pain in commercial and research settings.

Key Facts

The Piglet Grimace Scale measures orbital tightening, cheek tension, and ear position to quantify pain
Pigs conceal pain as a prey species, making objective assessment tools especially valuable
Routine procedures including castration, tail docking, and ear notching cause significant acute pain
Pain from lameness affects up to 30% of commercial sows at any given time
EU regulations now require analgesia for castration in piglets over 7 days old

Welfare Considerations

Objective, validated pain assessment tools are a critical step toward reducing chronic and acute pain in pigs. Without reliable measurement, pain goes undetected and untreated. The Piglet Grimace Scale and similar tools are enabling both farmers and researchers to identify animals in pain earlier and evaluate the effectiveness of analgesic treatments. Wider adoption in commercial settings is a key welfare priority.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare organizations developing and validating pain assessment tools
Advocate for mandatory analgesic protocols for all painful routine procedures in pig farming
Choose pork from producers certified under standards prohibiting painful procedures without pain relief