Pigs are known to be intelligent animals and have been found to be more trainable than dogs or cats. Asian pot-bellied pigs, a smaller subspecies of the domestic pig, have made popular house pets in the United States beginning in the latter half of the 20th century.

Liver, chitterlings and other offal from pigs are also widely used for food. In industrialized nations, domestic pigs farming has shifted away from the traditional pig farm to large-scale intensive pig farms where meat can be mass-produced.

his has resulted in lower production costs, however, more significant animal welfare concerns. In developing nations and some parts of developed nations, the domestic pig is frequently raised outdoors in yards.

In some cases pigs are even raised in open fields where they are allowed to forage; they are watched by swineherds, essentially shepherds for pigs.