Decades of research have revealed remarkable cognitive abilities in pigs including episodic-like memory, metacognition, and social learning, challenging assumptions underlying current welfare standards.
Pig cognition research has dramatically outpaced welfare policy reform. Animals capable of episodic memory, social learning, and potentially self-awareness deserve welfare standards that reflect their cognitive complexity. Environments that fail to provide cognitive stimulation, social complexity, and exploration opportunities deny pigs expression of their fundamental nature. Translating research findings into policy change requires both scientific advocacy and public education about the intelligence and emotional lives of pigs.