Chapter 1: The Misunderstood Pig

Pigs often face underestimation regarding their intelligence. Surprisingly, they can outperform a three-year-old child in terms of cognitive abilities. The phrase "sweat like a pig" is misleading, as pigs actually lack sweat glands entirely.

Humans sweat and dogs pant to regulate their body temperature after strenuous activity. In contrast, pigs cool off by wallowing in mud and dung, which gives them an undeserved reputation for being dirty. In reality, pigs are among the cleanest animals, often cleaner than pet dogs! If they have access to proper cooling facilities, they will avoid rolling in mud. Remarkably, even newborn piglets quickly learn to keep their latrine areas separate from their living and eating spaces.

Section 1.1: Social Creatures

Pigs exhibit intricate social behaviors. Piglets can recognize their mother’s calls and learn from the experiences of their peers. They are capable of teamwork and show a fondness for play, engaging in mock fights similar to how dogs do. Pigs form strong bonds with each other, often sleeping snout to snout, and they demonstrate empathy, understanding when they are treated kindly. They can also differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar pigs by sight.

There are numerous accounts of pigs rescuing humans from danger. For instance, a pet pig named Pru saved her owner from a muddy quicksand situation, while another pig, Priscilla, rescued a young boy from drowning.

Chapter 2: Intelligence Beyond Measure

Pigs are the last of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizing fortune, integrity, happiness, and vitality. They rank as the fourth most intelligent animal globally.

Experiments conducted since the 1990s have shown that pigs can learn tasks more readily than many other animals, including controlling a mouse cursor with their snouts—an ability that rivals that of chimpanzees. They have demonstrated proficiency in tasks requiring them to identify familiar images and excelled in odor recognition tasks. Pigs can understand simple symbolic language and remember multiple combinations of symbols for different actions and objects. They are adept at navigating mazes and can even use mirrors to locate hidden food.

Pigs have also learned to play video games using joysticks after minimal training and have impressive long-term memory capabilities. In cognitive tasks, they often outshine three-year-old children, showing more persistence in problem-solving than dogs, as they tend to rely on their own skills rather than seeking human assistance.

Section 2.1: A Superior Sense of Smell

Pigs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, capable of detecting scents from up to seven miles away—about 2,000 times more sensitive than humans. Unlike dogs, which primarily rely on sight, pigs are short-sighted and depend heavily on their olfactory senses.

While dogs have been trained for thousands of years to work alongside humans, pigs have occasionally been used in specialized roles, such as drug detection in Germany during the 1980s. Additionally, their keen sense of smell makes them exceptional truffle hunters.

Amazing Pig Facts

Pigs have a naturally slender physique and only become overweight due to human overfeeding. They are unique in that they can dream and are immune to several diseases. This immunity has led to instances of pig liver transplants in humans. Pigs can become bored with repetitive diets and can produce loud vocalizations, reaching levels of up to 115 dB—similar to a chainsaw. They communicate with each other through more than 20 identified vocalizations and have an extensive diet that can include almost anything, even human bones.

Conclusion: A Call for Compassion

Having learned so much about pigs, I have developed a profound respect for these animals. Observing their interactions has revealed a level of maturity that often surpasses that of dogs. It saddens me to think about their treatment, including forced breeding and slaughter.

While some may argue that breeding pigs for food is acceptable, it does not negate their capacity to experience pain and fear. They suffer immensely in slaughterhouses. If you have the chance, take a moment to connect with a pig—offer them a treat and observe the affection they express. It’s hard to continue viewing them as mere livestock.

To deepen your understanding, I encourage you to watch the documentary “Farm to Fridge: The Truth About Meat Production” on YouTube, which illustrates the realities faced by animals before slaughter.

For more insights, check out:

• 15 Subtle Body Languages of Dogs to Help You Understand Them Better.
• The 10 Simple Life Lessons I Learned From My Pet Dog.