Pigs are one of the most commonly misunderstood animals in the world and, as a result, one of the most cruelly mistreated. People are told that pigs are dirty, stupid, and smelly.
But along with being naturally clean, pigs are very smart creatures who can be trained to do many things. Captivity changes everything, and they adjust according to limited options, probably better than humans under the same conditions.
Pigs can also be friendly and loving, making them great pets for people of all ages. But then, eating them – pork, bacon, etc. – isn’t morally reasonable, as they are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering.
These wonderful creatures deserve our love and respect, not the torture we force on them today.
by David Stone
for Assorted Ideas, Large & Small
Pigs are smarter than we think
“Friendly and loving…” “Great pets…” Sounds like dogs or cats. Maybe bunnies. But pigs? Because the descriptions are true, they explain how badly these creatures are misunderstood and mistreated.
Pigs are often underestimated. We think of them as dirty, smelly creatures that wallow in the mud. But pigs are intelligent animals. They have well-developed social skills and can remember faces and names.
They’re also good at problem-solving. In experiments, pigs have figured out how to open gates and find hidden food, even using computers.
So, next time you see a pig, don’t write it off as a dumb and dirty creature. That’s untrue, and commercial interests foster it as a way of getting you to eat an animal the equivalent of your family dog.
Pigs are normally clean and sociable
Interesting animals, pigs are normally clean and sociable. They enjoy the company of other pigs and wallow in mud to cool off and protect their skin.
As one of the most intelligent animals, they match well with dogs and chimpanzees. Some caution, though, we measure according to human standards, some of which other species couldn’t care less about while they have skills at which we would fail if they tested us.
Pigs learn tricks and solve complex problems. Curious and investigative, they’re as fun to watch as dogs and cats are.
However, pigs can also be aggressive, especially when threatened. They have sharp teeth and tusks that can cause serious injury. When pigs are around humans, it is important to be aware of their potential for aggression and take necessary precautions.
Despite their potential for aggression, pigs can make excellent pets for people who take the time to bond with them. Pigs are smart and friendly and can provide years of companionship and enjoyment.
About pigs: they’re more aware than we think
Studies prove that pigs understand complex tasks and follow human cues, indicating a high level of cognition. They form intricate social networks and engage in complex social behaviors. So why do we still treat them as nothing more than bacon on legs?
As decent fellow creatures, we should recognize pigs as sentient beings. That is, they know what’s going on, even while forced to live in squalor and march to slaughter.
They also have good memories and remember tasks that they have been taught. Known as very loyal when given a chance, they often stay with their owner or family for life.
Pigs are also very curious animals and like to explore their surroundings. This means that they sometimes get into trouble if they are not supervised properly. Sounds like my cats and, maybe, your dogs.
Overall pigs are very friendly and loving animals that make great pets.
Pigs can be trained
Highly intelligent animals, pigs learn new tasks quickly. They’ve treated audiences by performing for them.
Some tasks and tricks pigs have demonstrated include :
- Jumping through hoops
- Waving
- Balancing on a ball
- Riding a skateboard
- Roping and wrestling
In addition to learning tricks, pigs can be trained to perform complex tasks. Pigs have been taught to:
- Herd sheep
- Pull carts
- Detect truffles
- Find land mines
These show us that pigs are not only smart but also able to follow complex instructions. They’ve even played video games using joysticks, showing off fine motor skills.
Pigs find work in a variety of settings, including farms, zoos, and research laboratories. Trainable because they remember complex tasks, they respond well to reward-based training.
Pigs are emotionally complex
But we’re taught that they are simple, emotional creatures. Recent research, though, shows that pigs are actually quite complex. They have the empathy gene, understanding and responding to the emotions of others.
They form strong bonds with both other pigs and humans. But it’s far from simple as their skills range of emotions include happiness, sadness, fear and anger. Their complex emotional life means that pigs are more than just bacon on a plate – they are sentient beings with their own unique experiences and feelings. As we learn more about pigs, it is clear that they deserve our respect and compassion.
Pigs can be friendly and loving
When raised in a loving home, pigs can be friendly and affectionate and enjoy spending time with their human companions. Pigs are highly social. They thrive on interaction and attention. They are also smart problem solvers and can perform tricks and obey commands.
Just like our beloved birds, cats and dogs, when treated with love and respect, pigs make wonderful pets that bring joy to their owners.
Pigs are intelligent, affectionate animals that bond deeply with their owners. They are also relatively clean and easy to care for, making them ideal pets for families with young children.
In addition, pigs are highly social creatures, so they offer valuable companionship for people who live alone. Whether you’re looking for a furry friend to snuggle up with or a playmate for your kids, a pig might just be the perfect pet for you.
A final word about pigs – eating them is immoral. Period. Full stop.
Pigs are intelligent, social animals who form strong bonds with other pigs as well as humans. They are playful and curious, and they show courage in the face of danger. They are also sensitive and feel pain just as we do. For these reasons alone, eating pigs is not moral.
When we eat pigs, we are taking away their lives, depriving them of all of the joy and happiness that may experience. We are also causing them needless suffering, as they are often raised in horrific conditions on factory farms.
Captivepigs spend their lives in cramped, filthy pens, subjected to cruel procedures such as tail docking and teeth clipping. They never experience the outdoors or feel the sun on their skin. And when it comes time for slaughter, they are hung upside down and bled to death.
Eating pigs is not healthy either
Eating pigs is not only cruel to them – but it’s also harmful to our health. Pigs raised on factory farms are routinely given antibiotics and growth hormones, which end up in our food supply. And when we eat pork products, we may expose ourselves to diseases such as trichinosis and salmonella.
One thing about pigs: they aren’t mindless meat
Pigs are intelligent, social animals who form close bonds with their families and friends.
In the wild, they live in matriarchal societies where the females choose their mates, and pigs engage in complex social behaviors like nose-to-nose touching, grunting conversations and other forms of communication.
Pigs also dream, have excellent long-term memories and can solve complex problems. Unfortunately, pigs raised for food are denied all of these things. They are confined to overcrowded, filthy warehouses where they are forced to stand on concrete floors covered in their own waste.
They are routinely mutilated without painkillers and subjected to intense physical and psychological stress. And when they finally arrive at the slaughterhouse, they are terrified – aware of what is about to happen to them.
Eating pigs is not moral. It involves contributing to the suffering of sentient beings who want nothing more than to be respected and loved.
So why do we do it?
Part of the reason is that we’ve been indoctrinated to believe that pigs are dirty, lazy, and stupid animals. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Pigs are naturally clean creatures, highly intelligent and capable of forming strong bonds with their owners.
When treated with love and respect, they make wonderful pets. It’s time to rethink our relationship with pigs and start seeing them as the individuals they are. Only then can we truly call ourselves moral beings.
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