Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Pain Recognition and Assessment Tools

Validated pain assessment tools for pigs enable earlier and more consistent recognition of pain, improving analgesic use and welfare outcomes on farm.

Key Facts

The Pig Grimace Scale uses facial action units to score pain intensity
Composite pain scales include posture, behaviour and appearance in their assessment
Pigs in pain show reduced activity, abnormal postures and reduced social interaction
Farmers consistently underestimate pain severity compared to veterinary assessments
Training farmers in pig pain recognition improves analgesia prescribing rates

Welfare Considerations

Pain recognition in pigs is improved by validated assessment tools that provide objective criteria. Training farmers and stockpersons in tool use changes prescribing behaviour and improves welfare. Embedding pain assessment in routine veterinary visits builds practitioner competency.

What You Can Do

Share pig pain assessment resources with farmers and veterinarians
Support training programmes that include validated pig pain recognition tools
Advocate for pain assessment training as a requirement in pig welfare certification