Recognizing and treating pain in pigs is essential for welfare but remains undertreated on most farms due to species-specific pain expression that differs from companion animals.
Pain in pigs has been systematically undertreated because species-specific behavioral expression differs from obvious pain displays in companion animals. A pig in pain may not vocalize continuously but shows subtle facial and postural changes that trained observers can detect. The Porcine Grimace Scale enables systematic pain scoring that can be taught to farm staff. Integrating pain recognition training into routine farm management education is one of the most cost-effective welfare improvements available - it changes pain management culture without requiring capital investment.