Scientific understanding of pain expression in pigs has advanced significantly, enabling better recognition of suffering and more responsive welfare interventions on farms.
Pigs are intelligent, sensitive animals capable of experiencing significant pain and distress. For decades, pain management in pig farming lagged behind other livestock species due to assumptions about pig cognition. The development of validated behavioral pain indicators has been a welfare breakthrough, enabling farmers and vets to identify suffering that was previously missed. Effective pain recognition is the prerequisite for effective pain management.