Pigs are often associated with negative labels such as ‘filthy’, ‘lazy’ and ‘greedy.' But why is the word ‘pig’ used as an insult, and is there any truth to it? Gemma Carder, our sentience manager, explains:
The reality beyond the stereotypes
Science shows pigs are emotional, smart, inquisitive animals, who engage in a range of complex behaviors. When you look at it this way - they don’t deserve to be connected with commonly-used insults.
Contrary to the idea that pigs are lazy - some of them are keen swimmers. In the Bahamas there is a small, uninhabited island where wild pigs enjoy swimming in the clear waters.
Sensitive, social creatures
Pigs are social animals. Research shows they enjoy playing together [1] (which can even be encouraged by music [2]), are empathetic, and are affected by the emotions of other pigs [3].
They have been seen to wag their tails in response to seeing mates experience something positive, and hold their ears back when other pigs experience something negative [3].
Piglets are attached to their mothers and are known to scream in distress when they are separated.
Pigs are very smart, and can even use mirrors to assess their environment. When pigs were shown a reflection of their food bowl, they used the reflection to locate their food [5].
They are often seen as filthy, but pigs actually use mud as sunscreen to protect their delicate skin, which is prone to burning in the sun.
The complex needs of pigs are often not met on farms
Pigs descended from the Eurasian wild boar, and there is little difference in the behavioural needs of domestic pigs from those of their wild ancestors [6]. For example, they need space and the opportunity to forage to be happy and healthy.
In poor welfare farming systems, pigs often do not have the chance to behave in the way they need to, for example playing and foraging.
Studies show pigs housed in close confinement with one another are more aggressive [7], and often demonstrate their mental suffering through bar and tail biting.
These behaviours usually occur when pigs are frustrated, bored and have a lack of control over their surroundings.
The farming industry must consider pigs’ needs
Regardless of negative associations with pigs, research has proven that they are no different to many other animals, including the pets we share our homes with.
Pigs feel a range of complex emotions, and can suffer both physically and mentally.
Read about how we’re improving the lives of 70 billion farm animals.
Further reading
1. Martin, J. E.; Ison, S. H.; Baxter, E. M. The influence of neonatal environment on piglet play behaviour and post-weaning social and cognitive development. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015, 163, 69–79.
2. de Jonge, F. H.; Boleij, H.; Baars, A. M.; Dudink, S.; Spruijt, B. M. Music during play-time: Using context conditioning as a tool to improve welfare in piglets. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2008, 115, 138–148.
3. Reimert, I.; Bolhuis, J. E.; Kemp, B.; Rodenburg, T. B. Emotions on the loose: emotional contagion and the role of oxytocin in pigs. Anim. Cogn. 2015, 18, 517–532.
4. Iacobucci, P.; Colonnello, V.; D’Antuono, L.; Cloutier, S.; Newberry, R. C. Piglets call for maternal attention: Vocal behaviour in Sus scrofa domesticus is modulated by mother’s proximity. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015, 171, 88–93.
5. Broom, D. M.; Sena, H.; Moynihan, K. L. Pigs learn what a mirror image represents and use it to obtain information. Anim. Behav. 2009, 78, 1037–1041.
6. Mendl, M.; Held, S.; Byrne, R. W. Pig cognition. Curr. Biol. 2010, 20, 796–798.
7. Greenwood, E. C.; Plush, K. J.; van Wettere, W. H. E. J.; Hughes, P. E. Hierarchy formation in newly mixed, group housed sows and management strategies aimed at reducing its impact. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2014, 160, 1–11.
Pigs are very smart, and can even use mirrors to assess their environment. When pigs were shown a reflection of their food bowl, they used the reflection to locate their food.