Research on wild boar and domestic pig cognitive abilities demonstrates sophisticated social intelligence, memory and problem-solving that has direct implications for welfare requirements.
Pig cognitive research changes the welfare conversation from preventing suffering to recognising cognitive interests. Pigs who can plan, remember, form social bonds, recognise individuals and problem-solve have interests that extend beyond immediate physical comfort - they have social, cognitive and psychological needs that barren, unstimulating environments fundamentally fail to meet. The cognitive evidence reinforces the welfare case for enriched environments, social complexity, cognitive challenge and social stability (not repeatedly mixing groups that must re-establish social order). It also challenges the view that pigs are simple food production units - they are cognitively complex animals whose interests deserve commensurate welfare consideration.