Accurate pain assessment in pigs is essential for appropriate welfare management, but pigs are prey animals that mask pain, making recognition challenging.
Pig pain goes frequently unrecognised and untreated in commercial settings — pigs are prey animals that suppress pain behaviour, making recognition difficult without training. The Pig Grimace Scale provides a validated tool for scoring pain based on facial expressions that stockpersons can use at farm level. Regular use of pain scoring tools during health checks, and clear protocols for NSAID use when pain is identified, can substantially reduce unrecognised suffering in pig herds.