Research has revealed that sheep have impressive cognitive abilities including facial recognition, long-term memory and emotional contagion, with implications for understanding and improving their welfare.
Understanding sheep cognition challenges the stereotype of them as simple, unthinking animals. Sheep have complex social awareness, long memories and emotional sensitivity that make their welfare needs more significant than commonly appreciated. Separation from familiar herd members causes genuine distress measurable in cortisol and heart rate. Environments that allow expression of social bonds and cognitive engagement - stable groups, varied environments, appropriate challenge - support better welfare than simple provision of food, water and shelter. This cognitive complexity should inform farm design and management to meet the social and psychological needs of sheep.