7 facts about pigs that you might not know

1. Pigs are inspirational After acting alongside the pig in the film Babe, actor James Cromwell switched to a vegan diet.

2. Pigs are cleaner than you'd think Pigs are commonly thought to be dirty animals because they roll in mud. But this is just to cool themselves down as, like dogs, they can’t sweat.

Pigs actually prefer to be clean, avoiding going to the toilet close to where they eat or sleep. Unfortunately this is not possible on the majority of farms. Conditions can be filthy and cramped, often causing issues like mange - an itchy, uncomfortable skin disease.

3. Pigs are smart There are multiple studies showing that pigs are intelligent and they have been able to outsmart dogs in cognitive ability tests. They have shown they can complete jigsaws, prioritise important tasks, have great long-term memories, and have dreams.

4. Not all pig have curly tails Breeds such as the pot-bellied and many wild pigs actually have straight tails.

While many domestic pigs have curly tails, it is commonplace within factory farms to dock (remove part or all of) the tail. This is done to prevent pigs biting each other's tails off from frustration due to being kept in confined spaces. Often, tail docking is carried out with no pain relief.

5. Pigs are great communicators Researchers have identified 20 different grunts and oinks that pigs use for different situations to communicate.

6. Pigs are toothy Pigs have 44 teeth. This is quite a lot when compared with us humans, who only have 32.

Piglets often have their needle teeth (sharp canines) clipped. This is to stop any injuries to other piglets whilst competing for their mother’s milk. Like tail docking, teeth clipping is often performed without pain relief and at a very young age.

7. Pigs have friends Pigs have complex social structures like many primate groups. They prefer to sleep snuggled up nose to nose and have been shown to play and pretend-fight with others, just like dogs.

What can I do to help?

You can help these intelligent and sociable animals by leaving them off your plate and eating plant-based alternatives.

If you share our vision of a world where no animal suffers, you can also join us and take action in our campaigns.

Sign this petition to tell the UK Governments that they must ban cages for all laying hens by 2026.

Sign this petition by Chris Packham, which calls on the Government not to abandon its plans to ban fur and foie gras.

You could also sign this petition which calls on the UK government to give fish the same protection as other farmed animals.

Together we can end the abuse of animals raised for food.