The fact is, pigs are social, intelligent, curious, and playful animals, much like the dogs so many of us share our homes and hearts with.
Read on for more facts you probably didn’t know about pigs, and to learn ways you can help them!
Eight Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Pigs
Bitsy pig and Gene Baur
Eight Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Pigs
Bitsy pig and Gene Baur
Nearly 75 million pigs are raised each year in the United States. In Iowa, the nation’s largest pork producer, pigs outnumber the human population. But how much do you know about these animals who are so often hidden from the public eye on factory farms?
1. Pigs have best friends and sleepovers
Pigs not only form friendships, but they often choose to spend their time with the friend they’re closest to. As we see among the rescued pigs at Farm Sanctuary, they also like to snuggle up together at bedtime.
2. Pigs catch each other's feelings
These emotionally complex animals can understand the feelings of others and offer support. Plus, just like us, they experience a form of empathy known as “emotional contagion,” or experiencing what others feel.
3. Pigs like to play with toys
Pigs enjoy playing with toys, just like dogs, but these activities are not just for fun! At Farm Sanctuary, we offer treat balls, splash pads, and other enrichment to enhance the cognitive lives and well-being of our rescued residents.
4. Mud protects pigs from the sun
Pigs don’t roll around in mud because they like to be dirty! Pigs can’t sweat, so mud helps keep them cool, and it offers their sensitive skin a natural shield from the sun. At Farm Sanctuary, we offer pigs further protection by applying sunscreen.
5. Pigs recognize each other by touch
Pigs can distinguish between individual pigs simply through touching, which also plays an important role in their social bonding. In fact, researchers found that pigs spend 40 percent of their time in physical contact with each other.
6. Mother pigs sing to their piglets
Mom and baby pigs form special bonds expressed in many ways. As their piglets nurse, mother pigs use different vocalizations to communicate with them, including singing!
7. Pigs can live to be 20 years old
Naturally, a pig can live to be around 15-20 years old. In animal agriculture, their lives are cut dramatically short, as they are slaughtered at only around six months of age.
8. Each day, 3.8 million pigs are slaughtered
Nearly 4 million pigs are killed every single day for human consumption around the world. Annually, around 1.5 billion pigs are slaughtered.
Pigs deserve to be treated with kindness
At Farm Sanctuary, pigs are valued not because of what they can produce, but because of who they are. We have seen firsthand their capacity for love, resilience, forgiveness, and empathy. They are protective mothers, caring friends, and sentient individuals with unique personalities.
We can choose to be caring and compassionate friends like pigs! Start today with these easy ways to speak up for farm animals, share this article to raise awareness for pigs everywhere, or “adopt” a rescued pig below to support their lifelong care at Farm Sanctuary!
