What if one small shift in how we see pigs could change everything?
This is a story about intelligence, empathy, and the power of food choices — a reminder that big impact begins with curiosity, one meal at a time.
Over ten years ago, I overheard a colleague casually say: “Pigs are smart.” At first, I didn’t believe it. Pigs? Smarter than dogs? Capable of learning like a child?
That moment stuck with me. I thought of my aging pug, who need to see a cardiologist at the time, and the compassion we showed him as part of our family. And then I realized — pigs are just as intelligent, just as emotional, just as worthy of care.
That spark became the seed for Pigs Are Smart: a movement dedicated to curiosity, small steps, and building a kinder world through what’s on our plates.
How Smart Are Pigs Compared to Dogs?
Most of us know dogs are smart — they learn tricks, recognize words, and bond with us deeply. But research has shown that pigs can match and even surpass dogs in several areas:
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Memory: Pigs can remember complex routes and tasks for months.
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Learning: Pigs pick up new behaviors quickly, sometimes faster than dogs.
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Playfulness: Pigs play with toys, chase balls, and even play video games with joysticks.
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Recognition: Pigs recognize themselves in mirrors, showing signs of self-awareness.
Like dogs, pigs form strong emotional bonds with humans and with each other. The more you learn, the harder it is to ignore the similarities.
Do Pigs Have Emotions?
Yes — pigs don’t just think, they feel. Studies show they experience joy, fear, empathy, and even jealousy. They soothe each other when distressed. They squeal with excitement when reunited with friends.
A pig’s emotional world is rich, and when we know this, it changes how we see them.
Pigs vs. Dogs: Who’s Smarter?
It’s not a competition — but it’s a question many people wonder about. Here’s what research suggests:
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Dogs excel at reading human emotions and body language. They’ve evolved alongside us for thousands of years and are incredibly attuned to our cues.
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Pigs, on the other hand, shine in problem-solving tasks, spatial memory, and tool use. They’re more likely to succeed at puzzles and abstract challenges than dogs.
Both animals are deeply intelligent — just in different ways. What’s striking is that pigs, often dismissed as “farm animals,” consistently rank alongside dogs in cognitive and emotional ability.
The Other Smartest Animals
Pigs and dogs are in good company on the intelligence scale. Other famously smart animals include:
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Dolphins – masters of communication and problem-solving.
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Elephants – known for memory, self-awareness, and empathy.
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Crows and Ravens – tool users and puzzle solvers.
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Octopuses – escape artists with incredible problem-solving skills.
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Parrots – with vocabularies that rival toddlers.
When pigs consistently appear in this lineup, it begs the question: why don’t we treat them the same way?
What About Other Animals We Eat?
Science is also revealing surprising intelligence and emotional depth in other animals we often consume without a second thought:
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Chickens – can count, distinguish over 100 faces, and display empathy for their chicks. They recognize individuals and even learn from one another.
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Cows – form strong social bonds, remember other cows for years, and show signs of having “best friends.” They experience stress when separated from them.
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Fish – once dismissed as simple, are now known to feel pain, use tools, and solve puzzles. Some species even cooperate in hunts and recognize individual humans.
As the science expands, it challenges us to ask: why do we celebrate the intelligence of some species while overlooking it in others? Why would we never dream of eating a dolphin or our beloved dog, yet think nothing of pork chops or chicken wings?
The answer isn’t judgment — it’s what psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy calls cultural conditioning, or carnism (Joy, 2011) — the invisible belief system that shapes which animals we love, and which we eat. What we eat is largely shaped by where we’re born and how we’re raised. But once we know more, we can begin to make small, compassionate shifts.
Why Pig Intelligence Matters for Us
When we understand pigs are intelligent, emotional beings, it reframes the conversation about food and compassion. This isn’t just about pigs — it’s about creating a world where we align our values (kindness, sustainability, health) with our everyday habits.
And the best part? Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can start with one small step: swapping one meal a day, trying a plant-based recipe, or discovering a new favorite ingredient. Small steps really do add up to big impact — for you, for animals, and for the planet.
Small Steps, Big Impact
The journey that started with three words — “pigs are smart” — is now a movement for mindful eating and compassionate living.
If this sparks curiosity for you, join our free newsletter, The Smart Bite. Every week, we’ll share recipes, inspiration, and simple swaps to help you feel great while helping the planet.
Sources & Further Reading
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Marino, L. & Colvin, C. M. (2015). Thinking pigs: A comparative review of cognition, emotion, and personality in Sus domesticus. International Journal of Comparative Psychology.
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Horback, K. M., Parsons, T. D., & Meagher, R. K. (2018). The welfare of pigs. Springer.
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Smith, C. L., & Johnson, J. (2019). The Chicken Challenge: Cognitive complexity and emotional capacities of Gallus gallus domesticus. Animal Behavior and Cognition.
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Broom, D. M. (2010). Cognitive ability and awareness in domestic animals and decisions about obligations to animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
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Balcombe, J. (2016). What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins. Scientific American / Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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Joy, M. (2011). Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism. Conari Press.
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Explore Eating with Compassion and check out our favorite books and documentaries to inspire your journey. One small shift can spark something big.
