Many of us have never had the opportunity to raise pigs and therefore we have little to no information about pigs at all! To satisfy our curiosities, we did a long research about pigs and were surprised by the truth.
Do pigs get depressed? The answer is yes, they do.
Depression in pigs is actually not uncommon and can happen any time. The reason behind this is the fact that pigs are highly social and intelligent animals similar to humans. Their intelligence level allows them to feel negative and positive emotions, unlike other animals that are unable to comprehend basic emotions.
Despite this, pigs are still being victimized by the stigma created by media and other people. Pigs are often regarded as an emotionless, selfish, hideous and dirty creature when in truth, they are the opposite of the negative things we know about them.
They are actually one of the most sensitive and empathic animals you can come across with. Naturally, they are kind and peaceful. Pigs would prefer avoiding conflict than stirring up chaos the way they are portrayed in books or movies.
Similar to what studies observed in humans… high level of intelligence often comes with high perception skills. Many of the smartest people in the world are diagnosed with depression.
Theories suggest that their intelligence allow them to think about a lot of things and understand them deeply that may lead to sadness and eventually turn into depression.
Animals such as pigs are no exception to this. There is a saying “ignorance is bliss” for a reason. Animals that are numb or do not know emotions tend to live a normal life but not animals that can be depressed.
The more you learn about pigs, the more you get hooked by them. Now, what exactly causes pig depression? What are the signs? How can it be treated? Read on to find out!
What are the signs of depression in pigs?
Signs of depression are the following. There are certain breeds that are naturally loud, lazy and a bit aggressive at first and should not be confused with depression.
- Loss of appetite
- Not moving
- Crying grunt
- Crying real tears
- Destructive behavior
- Irritable
- Aggression
- Sleeps longer
- Inflicting pain upon self
- Lack of energy
- Stubbornness
If you suspect your pig is displaying signs of depression, it is important to find out why and how you can help them.
Why do pigs get depressed?
There are many possible reasons why a pig can be depressed, just like us. Surprisingly, they have big, loving hearts just like your average pet cat or dog.
What causes depression in pigs? To be more specific, we will list the top most common causes to help us understand pigs better and hopefully, reduce depression in pigs the way they can help ease our stress.
1. Lack of social communication and physical interaction
Pigs that were raised normally and used to human contact and interact with fellow pigs can grow attached and develop strong, deep bonds with anyone they come close with.
If they are suddenly put to social isolation for some reason, the pig can fall into a depressive state that often leads to loss of appetite, stubbornness and lack of energy.
2. Death or loss of a companion
Similar to the first cause, a pig that has been used to a companion and had grown attached with their companion can be extremely depressed when their companion passes away.
Be it a human or a fellow animal, studies believe pigs are aware if their companion passes away.
They are capable of mourning or grieving that leads to crying actual tears and continuous wailing (grunting).
3. Physical isolation
Since they are often raised as livestock, we thought pigs can live in tight and confined spaces without a problem. Yes, they can thrive under strict captivity however, it can still affect their mental stability.
It is highly believed that an animal or pet that has more freedom compared to ones that are confined to one area, chained or isolated tend to be mentally happier and physically healthier than isolated animals.
Pigs can die from loneliness or may attempt to escape with all their power to the point of hurting their bodies.
They are naturally curious animals and prefer living outdoors. Physical isolation for pigs can be critical if they are not given with enough space to walk in.
Certain animals would rather take their own life than let the isolation slowly take the life out of them.
4. Mistreatment, Trauma & Abuse
Simply raising your voice or lightly hitting your pig will be remembered by your pig for a long time. Pigs have great memories and can feel grateful for good things but can also hold grudges.
A mistreated pig often falls into depression more than becoming a violent and aggressive pig.
Abused pigs can both be depressed and aggressive because of the fear taking over their bodies.
5. Denial to motherhood
Similar to postpartum depression in human mothers, sows (female pigs) can also be depressed when it comes to motherhood.
Although postpartum depression is more about the aftermath, it is closely similar to how mother pigs can become depressed when their children (the piglets) are taken from them.
Mothering is a natural part of a pig’s life and a sow that doesn’t get the chance to become a mother to her piglets can become cold, distant and even be aggressive to others including fellow pigs.
6. Abandonment
A pig knows when they are thrown away or left behind. This is similar to the second cause. However, this one is more about being kept and raised as pets and then thrown aside when they are no longer wanted.
The number of abandoned pigs continues to grow as more new owners are tricked into the “miniature pig” trend and believe the pig will not grow any larger than a little puppy.
The false miniature pig trend is one of the top reasons why a pet pig gets abandoned and it usually does not end well for the pig.
How depression can affect pigs
Many people may not take a depressed animal seriously. However, a depressed pig MUST be taken seriously. In fact, any animal that show signs of depression must be properly supported.
Unlike people, animals like pigs usually do not have time to have second thoughts. They may be smart, but once they decide they want to quit their life, there is usually no turning back for these animals.
The moment they set their minds and bodies to a self-destruction state, it will be difficult for anyone to fix them or help them get back to normal.
There are animals that would rather take their own life instead of suffering continuously and pigs are one of those animals.
Pigs will refuse to eat, will barely move from their spot and will not care about getting sick or near a threat (predators). They can be suicidal just like people.
How to treat a depressed pig
Just like people, depression in pigs can still be fixed if they are properly supported. If your pig is showing clear signs of depression or has been diagnosed by their veterinarian, you must be prepared to help them.
Depressed pigs need patience and commitment from their owners. They have reasons to be depressed and we must understand that.
— Do not rush. Take your time in your supporting your pig.
— Do not raise your voice. Ask for help if you need assistance.
— Do not force them to do things. Try to take one step at a time.
— Regain their trust, make them feel calm and comfortable.
— Relax around them and they will do the same.
— If you cannot afford to care for your pig, there should be several wildlife rehabilitation centers that can help you.
— If you can no longer continue raising the pig, please look for a new loving and suitable permanent homes for them.
— Getting a companion for your pig if they are raised alone can be a good boost to their mental health.
— Avoid stressing them with loud noises and getting them near strangers.
— Keep them in a secured, comfortable area that is always clean.
Depending on your veterinarian’s guide, you might also be asked to follow a certain routine that involves a certain diet for your pig. Please consult an animal health expert for better resolution.
There are also times when they can be depressed because of a hidden illness that our naked eyes cannot see.
How to avoid pig depression
As much as possible, we encourage getting a pet pig only when you have the firm resolve. A pet pig comes with great responsibility and requires genuine love, patience and commitment just like an average pet cat or dog.
Please DO NOT hurt them, avoid raising your voice, avoid startling them, keep them healthy, give them enough space or freedom, provide sufficient social and physical interaction and do not abandon them.
They have the same intelligence level of a 2 year old child based on the studies. It will be almost similar to abandoning a young child just because someone decides they don’t want them anymore.
Before getting a pig, please read every available guide we have to set your expectations properly and keep you prepared for raising them.
How do pigs support depression in other people?
Did you know that certain studies say that pet pigs can help reduce depression in people? If they can help take away our sadness, we should do the same for them too.
They can be sensitive and they can sense grief from other people. When they do sense our negative emotions, they may console us for the sake of comfort.
Regardless of their sizes, any pig can become sweet and cuddly when they are properly acquainted with you and trust you with all their heart.
Related Questions
- Do pigs dream?
There is no actual confirmation yet, but scientists believe that pigs can dream when they are under REM phase (rapid eye movement sleep).
Some owners claim that they can dream the same way dogs do. They will occasionally move their limbs, move their ears or wag their tails and they might also start oinking or grunting while asleep.
Pigs need at least 8 hours of sleep a day just like people but as they reach adulthood, they may sleep a few hours lesser than they normally do.
Same with mankind, there is still no real explanation behind the concept of dreaming therefore we still do not know why pigs dream.
The most common theory behind dreaming is that dreams often represent the animal or the person’s innermost desires or their worst nightmares.
Because of the stigma around pigs that we still have today, pigs in dream are symbolized and portrayed as a bad omen.
Pigs are popularly represented as the symbol of greediness, laziness, gluttony, filthiness, stubbornness and selfishness in dreams.
- Do pigs know how to find their way back home?
If the pig has been familiarized with the area and is not left in a completely unknown place, they can possibly track their way back home by following the scent of their owners.
They are also born with great memory which allows them to remember directions, places, humans, fellow animals and more.
Pigs are born with a great sense of smell which is why their snout (their nose) is sensitive to touch. They have poor eyesight, but their sense of smell and hearing makes up for it.
They heavily rely on their nose when it comes to tracking places, food and other animals. Pigs are smart and can learn the way of the streets and find their way back home when lost.