Hog vs. Pig: Are You Calling That Swine by the Right Name?

Hog vs. pig: What’s the difference? If you’ve ever wondered whether the two are just different names for the same animal, you're not alone. While they’re closely related, it's not always correct to use these terms interchangeably.

Both pigs and hogs are domesticated swine, members of the species Sus scrofa. The differences mostly come down to size, age, sex and context — like whether you're on a farm or in the wild.

Contents

What Is a Pig?
What Is a Hog?
Age and Gender Terminology
Wild vs. Domesticated Swine
Behavior and Habitat
Meat and Farming Context
5 Bonus Facts About Pigs

What Is a Pig?

Big American Guinea hog — Oink. Marcia Straub / Getty Images

"Pig" is a general term used to describe animals in the swine family. It refers to domesticated pigs and, in some contexts, can include wild species like boars, although "pig" typically refers to domesticated animals in formal usage.

What Is a Hog?

A hog, meanwhile, is typically a domesticated pig that has reached a larger size — generally over 120 pounds (54 kilograms). Hogs are commonly raised for meat and are a staple in meat production.

Age and Gender Terminology

Piglets: Young pigs, still nursing or recently weaned
Boar: An adult male pig, especially if not castrated
Sow: An adult female pig that has had offspring
Hog: Typically refers to older, larger pigs used in agriculture
Pigs: May refer to younger swine or used as a general term for all swine

These terms help farmers and scientists track breeding cycles, growth, and health.

Wild vs. Domesticated Swine

Feral pigs: Escaped domesticated pigs that returned to the wild
Wild hogs: Feral or wild-living swine, often descended from domestic pigs or hybrids with wild boars, with tusks and thick coats
Wild boars: European and Asian wild pigs (Sus scrofa), known for their strength and potential aggression when threatened

All of these animals share common traits like stocky bodies, powerful noses and a love for rooting. They use all four legs to navigate environments ranging from farms to forests.

Hunting of feral and wild hogs is common in some areas, especially where they damage crops.

Behavior and Habitat

Piglets — Look at these adorable little piglets. Khaichuin Sim / Getty Images

In their natural environment, pigs and hogs are social animals that live in groups. While domesticated hogs are often kept in pens and barns, wild hogs roam free and are known for being highly adaptive.

Hogs can weigh hundreds of pounds, and wild boars often develop thick fur and sharp tusks.

Meat and Farming Context

In the U.S., "hog" is a common term in meat and agriculture circles, especially when referring to animals bred and raised for pork. Domesticated swine are selectively bred for traits like weight, quality of meat and growth rate. On farms, hogs are a significant part of food production.

5 Bonus Facts About Pigs

Domestic swine have been companions to humans for over 9,000 years.
Boars are still found in forests across Europe and Asia.
A female swine is only called a sow after giving birth.
Pigs are considered among the smartest animals on Earth.
A group of pigs is called a sounder.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.