Welfare of Pigs in Research | Animal Welfare Hub

Pigs are valuable biomedical models due to their physiological similarity to humans. Their cognitive complexity and social nature create significant welfare obligations that research institutions must address.

Key Facts

Miniature pigs are widely used as cardiovascular and surgical models due to heart similarity to humans
Standard laboratory housing keeps pigs in individual stalls that prevent natural rooting, social, and exploratory behaviors
Pigs in research show higher stress markers in barren individual housing than in enriched social settings
Surgical survival studies can require pigs to recover from major procedures in isolated conditions
The same welfare evidence that applies to farm pigs applies directly to research pigs

Welfare Considerations

Research pigs have the same cognitive complexity and welfare needs as farm pigs but are subject to additional stressors from experimental procedures, isolation, and barren environments. The welfare case for enriched social housing, rooting material, and positive human handling is strong and supported by evidence that stress reduction improves research quality by reducing confounding variables. Welfare and research validity arguments align in support of better research pig housing.

What You Can Do

Support institutional animal care standards that require enrichment for research pigs
Advocate for social housing of pigs in research settings whenever biosafety permits
Donate to organizations developing validated welfare standards for pigs in biomedical research
Follow research on positive handling and enrichment that reduces stress in research pigs
Engage with the research community about the dual benefits of welfare improvement for animals and research quality