Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Heat Stress Management

Pigs are particularly vulnerable to heat stress as they lack functional sweat glands, making climate control essential for welfare in intensive and outdoor systems.

Key Facts

Pigs cannot sweat effectively and rely on wallowing, shade, and respiration for cooling
Heat stress begins above 25C for housed pigs with high humidity worsening impact
Heat stress reduces feed intake, growth, and reproductive performance significantly
Wallowing in mud cools pigs through evaporation and provides UV protection
Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat stress events globally

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress causes panting, lethargy, reduced feed intake, and in severe cases hyperthermia and death. Pigs in systems without adequate cooling, shade, or wallowing opportunities face preventable suffering that is increasing in severity with climate change.

What You Can Do

Support certification standards that require adequate cooling facilities for pigs
Advocate for heat stress contingency planning requirements on pig farms
Choose outdoor pig products from producers with adequate wallowing facilities and shade