Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Positive Emotions Research

Research on positive emotions in pigs is transforming welfare science, moving beyond absence of suffering to actively promoting positive mental states.

Key Facts

Pigs show optimistic cognitive bias when in positive welfare states - a measure of positive emotion
Play behaviour is a reliable indicator of positive welfare in young pigs
Environmental complexity increases play rates and markers of positive affect
Pigs anticipating positive events show behavioural and physiological indicators of excitement
Welfare schemes are beginning to include positive welfare indicators alongside harm reduction metrics

Welfare Considerations

Animal welfare is not just the absence of suffering but the presence of positive experiences. Research on pig positive emotions is driving a paradigm shift in how we measure and promote welfare.

What You Can Do

Advocate for positive welfare indicators in pig certification schemes
Support research on pig positive emotions and enrichment
Choose pork from farms assessed for positive welfare as well as harm reduction