This resource has been updated as part of the veterinary review process. It was originally published on April 29, 2018.
Because they are almost never given the chance to live anywhere close to their natural lifespan, it can be difficult to find information about how to care for older cowsWhile "cows" can be defined to refer exclusively to female cattle, at The Open Sanctuary Project we refer to domesticated cattle of all ages and sexes as "cows.". The sad truth is that outside of the sanctuary community, many cowWhile "cow" can be defined to refer exclusively to female cattle, at The Open Sanctuary Project we refer to domesticated cattle of all ages and sexes as "cows." experts may never have had the opportunity to meet an elderly cow. In fact, it’s not uncommon for folks who are otherwise very knowledgeable about cows to be completely unaware of just how long they can live and how big they can get. This is particularly true of male Holsteins and males of other breeds commonly raised for milk production, who are typically killed at a very young age in most settings.
There are many factors that affect an individual’s expected lifespan, including some that are beyond a caregiver’s control, such as their breed, genetics, and health status upon arrival, but their environment, as well as the nutrition and care they receive after rescue, factor in as well. In addition to having an impact on their life expectancy, these elements of care also affect their quality of life and can help them thrive in their old age!
Health Care Considerations For Older Cows
Thoughtful observation, routine health checks, and regular veterinary care are imperative for all residents, but you may find that older residents benefit from more frequent assessment and closer observation than they did when they were younger. This can help you catch and respond to issues before they progress to more serious situations. Some conditions, such as mobility issues and dental disease, tend to be more common in older cows, though these are certainly not the only conditions that can affect older residents (and these conditions are also not exclusive to older residents). By keeping a closer eye on older residents, you’ll be better able to catch signs of new or worsening conditions as soon as possible!
Daily Observation And Routine Health Checks
During daily observation and routine health checks, you should watch closely for any signs of concern, but when it comes to older residents, a few areas may warrant extra attention.
Watch For Signs Of Arthritis And Other Mobility Issues
First, because osteoarthritis is common as cows age, it’s important to closely monitor older residents for signs of lameness, changes in gaitA specific way of moving and the rhythmic patterns of hooves and legs. Gaits are natural (walking, trotting, galloping) or acquired meaning humans have had a hand in changing their gaits for "sport"., swelling of joints, or pain. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to your residents’ ability to get up on their own. Watch for signs that a resident is having a harder time getting up, such as rocking forward multiple times before rising, using their head and neck for support when getting up on their back legs, or getting up on their front legs first (versus rocking forward and getting up on their back legs first). Be sure to bring any concerns to your veterinarian so they can determine the cause of the issues and the best course of action. Proper pain management is imperative for individuals with painful conditions, and we’ll talk more about this below.
Residents who have difficulty getting up are at an increased risk of being stuck down, but even residents who have not previously shown signs of difficulty could find themselves unable to get up. Sometimes a cow cannot get up because of the position they are lying in, the terrain they are lying on, or because something in front of them is preventing them from rocking forward (cows stand by rocking forward on their front knees and raising their hips, first coming to a standing position on the back legs, followed by the front legs). Cows who are stuck down are at risk of injury through repeated attempts to rise and are also at risk of developing bloat and other issues, so it’s important to identify and respond to a cow resident who is unable to stand as soon as possible.
While some residents who are unable to rise may be easy to spot (particularly if they are actively struggling or are stuck in lateral recumbencyRecumbency is the state of leaning, resting, or reclining.), others may not be so obvious. In order to avoid anyone being stuck down for long periods of time, it’s important to look for more subtle signs someone may be struggling to get up on their own. This includes the presence of a large pile of poop behind them, a dirty face (which could be a sign they have been using their head to try to help them get up), or evidence on the ground that they have been dragging themselves or spinning in a circle (outdoors, you might see marks in the grass or dirt, and indoors, you may see that the bedding around them has been disturbed). Also, pay attention to their behavior. For example, if a resident who typically gets up and moves away from you when you approach remains down as you come close to them, this would be cause for concern and warrants a closer look. Be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately if a resident is unable to get up on their own. If the individual is unable to remain in a sternal position (i.e., if they are stuck on their side), it is imperative that they be propped up to prevent them from bloating.
Individuals with arthritis or other mobility issues may spend more time lying down, putting them at risk of developing secondary issues, such as pressure sores or nerve damage. Environmental modifications can reduce this risk and are discussed more in the Living Spaces section below. It’s important to monitor residents for pressure sores, particularly on their keel and around their stifles. Be on the lookout for early signs such as hair loss or irritated skin, and take steps to prevent further damage to the skin (by working with your veterinarian to address the underlying cause and by making changes to the environment). Pressure sores can be difficult to manage once they develop, particularly if the cause is a chronic condition like osteoarthritis, so prevention is key.
Make Adjustments To Their Hoof Care As Needed
Individuals who bear weight unevenly or who are less active than they previously were may need some or all of their hooves trimmed more often than they previously did. If you find that an individual’s hooves are becoming too overgrown between regularly scheduled hoof trimming, you’ll need to put the individual on their own more frequent hoof trimming schedule. Depending on the restraint system your farrierSomeone who provides hoof trimming and care, especially for horses or cows uses, you may find that it is a bit too much for some older residents. If you can find a farrier who uses a tilt table, this can really come in handy when trimming the hooves of older cow residents.
Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about the best way to continue to provide proper hoof care to your older residents while doing so in a way that keeps them as comfortable as possible. In some cases, they may recommend continuing with the current restraint system but pre-medicating the individual with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for a few days prior to hoof trimming to make the process easier on the individual and to prevent lameness afterward. Other times they may recommend finding a way to trim the individual while they are in a recumbent position (which may require the use of a sedative and precautions to prevent the individual from bloating).
Closely Monitor Their Weight
It’s also very important to pay attention to your residents’ weight, watching for weight loss or unhealthy weight gain. It is not uncommon for elderly cows to lose weight, which could be due to various issues such as dental disease, an underlying health condition (such as Johne’s disease or parasitism), a decreased ability to absorb available nutrients, or eating less due to environmental factors or social dynamics. You should be very mindful of an older resident’s weight so that you can catch and address weight loss early. Unfortunately, because it is not uncommon for sanctuary cow residents to be above their “ideal” body condition, if a resident loses weight, this may not initially be seen as a concern. However, if a resident is losing weight unexpectedly, it is important to work with your veterinarian to determine the cause. We recommend regularly weighing residents (if possible) and performing a hands-on evaluation of their body condition, feeling for a more prominent spine or hips. If you notice that a resident has lost weight or muscle mass, be sure to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. In addition to a physical exam, diagnostics such as fecal testing to screen for internal parasites and blood work are recommended.
While weight loss can be an issue in some older cows, it is also possible for some older cows to gain an unhealthy amount of weight as they continue to eat at the same pace while lowering their general activity levels. This issue is not exclusive to breeds typically bred for their flesh, but obesity can be particularly common in these individuals. Excess weight can lead to a host of health issues and can exacerbate existing conditions, so you should look for ways to help them maintain a healthy weight. This may include making changes to their diet (discussed more below), encouraging safe exercise, or working with your veterinarian to manage any pain that may be affecting their activity level.
Watch For Signs Of Dental Disease
Older cows can lose or break some or many of their teeth over the course of their lives. Due to how their teeth grow, damage or loss of one molar can cause issues in other molars. For example, without a matching upper molar to keep it ground down, a lower molar can become painfully sharp. As a result, an older resident may have a harder time chewing comfortably and getting the proper mix of nutrients from forages.
Tough fresh forages and coarse hay might be especially difficult for older cows with dental issues to eat. If you see someone dropping wads of cudFood matter that returns from the first stomach compartment back to the mouth for further chewing, this is a telltale sign of dental issues. They try their best to chew, but because of their dental issues, they just can’t break forages down enough to digest. In some cases, you may not catch them dropping cud but may find wads of cud in the living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests., indicating someone is having an issue. You should dedicate some time to observing the group to identify the individual dropping cud. Other signs that someone may have dental issues include exaggerated chewing, packing food/cud in their cheek (the area where food is being packed will be noticeably swollen), and/or green staining around the mouth. If the issue has been going on for some time, you may also notice a loss of body condition.
If you suspect that an individual has dental issues, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian. While an ambulatory veterinarian can perform an examination of the individual, they may recommend sending the resident to a veterinary hospital for a more thorough dental evaluation. Your veterinarian can also make recommendations regarding the best diet for a resident with dental issues. In some cases, individuals with dental disease may only be able to eat soft hay (rather than hay that contains coarse stalks) or chopped hay (rather than long fibers), but if a resident has lost most or all of their molars, they may be unable to eat hay entirely and may need to rely on a different source of nutrients. We’ll talk more about possible diet changes below.
Watch For Signs Of Temperature-Related Issues
Older residents may be more sensitive to certain temperatures and weather conditions than they previously were. This is particularly true if they have mobility issues that could prevent them from moving out of certain conditions (such as moving out of the sun on a hot and humid day) or if they are at an unhealthy weight (overweight residents may be more sensitive to heat and humidity and thin residents may have a hard time staying warm in cold weather). While close observation of older residents is always a good idea, on days when conditions are warm and humid or temperatures drop below freezing, it’s a good idea to pay extra close attention to older residents, making sure they are not showing signs of being too warm or too cold.
During cold weather, some skinny cow residents may benefit from the addition of a properly fitting coat to help keep them warm. Always make sure the individual’s hair is dry before fitting them with a coat. You must also make sure that the coat does not impede urination or accumulate urine. It’s good practice to check coats daily to ensure they are fitting properly and have not become wet. Wet coats should be replaced, as this could result in the resident becoming chilled. Also, be aware that ill-fitting coats can pose a safety issue – coats that are too big could shift and become tangled around the individual or can become caught on things in the environment. Removing and checking under the coat weekly will help ensure you aren’t missing any issues that are hiding under the coat, such as weight loss, pressure sores, external parasites, or other issues.
Similarly, cow residents who are overweight may be more sensitive to heat and humidity, putting them at risk of developing heat stress before other members of the herd. You may have to provide additional cooling opportunities for them and should keep a close eye on them so you can take steps to cool them off before they develop severe heat stress.
Veterinary Care
Given their larger size and the stress of transport, it’s a good idea to work with a mobile veterinary service for your cow residents’ primary veterinary care. While there may still be times when a cow resident must be transported to a veterinary hospital, working with a mobile veterinary service for their primary care will cut down on how often residents need to be transported. This is doubly important for older residents who may have a harder time keeping steady footing in a moving trailer and could be seriously injured. We recommend asking your primary veterinarian how frequently they think your older cow residents should be seen (ideally, at least twice a year). Individuals with ongoing issues that require monitoring may need to be seen more often than those without health issues, but even for apparently healthy individuals, more frequent vet visits may be in order (plus diagnostics to screen for disease, as recommended by your veterinarian).
Pain Management For Individuals With Arthritis
While osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a common health concern in older animals, it can be particularly challenging to manage in cows due to their large size. A cow might develop osteoarthritis in any of the joints of their legs or even in their spine. Without pain management, arthritis can cause chronic pain (ranging in severity from mild to debilitating) and can affect an individual’s activity level. Severe pain can result in a general reluctance or inability to walk or even stand, which can then lead to a host of other health issues, such as pressure sores, nerve damage, and bloat. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, and it is a progressive condition, there are medications that can help alleviate the individual’s pain. In addition to evaluating individuals with arthritis, your veterinarian can also recommend a pain management regime for the individual.
In order to keep individuals with arthritis comfortable, your veterinarian may prescribe an NSAID, such as meloxicam or Banamine (never combine NSAID treatments), and/or other analgesics. NSAID use can cause abomasal ulcers. While ulcers in cows seem to be much less common than in pigs, it is still important to watch for any indication of an abomasal ulcer such as black tarry stool, an individual who appears interested in food but then does not eat, teeth grinding, or other signs of discomfort. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect an abomasal ulcer. Â
Another option to consider, and one that can be used in conjunction with the analgesics listed above, is a chondroprotective agent such as glucosamine to help repair joint cartilage and soothe inflammation. Some sanctuaries have also seen some success treating arthritis pain with alternative therapies such as acupuncture and veterinary laser therapy as well as more natural remedies (in conjunction with conventional medication) such as Boswellia (also known as Indian Frankincense), turmeric, and ruminant-safe herbal formulas designed for joint health. Your veterinarian may also recommend a topical treatment such as Diclofenac Sodium ointment (ex. Surpass) or a formula designed for human use such as Aspercreme. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the most appropriate pain management regimen for each of your residents and talk to them about conducting blood work before certain treatments (such as NSAID treatment) to ensure the treatment is not contraindicated and to establish a baseline against which to compare future blood work results. We also recommend talking to them about conducting regular blood work for individuals on certain long-term treatments (including NSAID treatment) to monitor organ function and to watch for adverse effects. In addition to offering treatments to reduce inflammation and pain, make extra sure that their environment is as arthritis-friendly as can be, which we’ll talk about more below.
Diet Considerations For Older Cows
While some older cow residents may continue to thrive on a standard cow diet consisting of fresh or dried forages and mineral supplementation, others may require certain modifications or additional supplementation. If it seems like an older resident isn’t thriving on their current diet, be sure to work closely with your veterinarian to determine the cause. There are many possibilities (some of which are discussed in this resource), but one to consider is a vitamin or mineral imbalance due to less effective chewing and digestion. While blood work can be used to assess certain vitamin and mineral levels, others require more complicated diagnostics. Depending on the vitamin or mineral imbalance (suspected or confirmed), your veterinarian may recommend switching to a different mineral formulation or offering additional supplementation, which may come in an oral or injectable form. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian about vitamin and mineral supplementation – offering too much of certain vitamins or minerals can lead to toxicity or other issues.
Since osteoarthritis is a common issue in older residents, some sanctuaries give them supplements that are thought to help reduce inflammation, such as omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric, even if they are not currently showing signs of arthritis. If this is something you’re interested in doing, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian for guidance.
Below, we’ll discuss additional diet changes that may be necessary for older residents. However, this information is merely meant to be informative. These recommendations are not universally necessary for all elderly individuals and, in most cases, are just one part of a more comprehensive response plan.
Diet Considerations For Individuals Who Are Gaining An Unhealthy Amount Of Weight
As mentioned above, while weight loss can be an issue in some older residents, others may struggle with unhealthy weight gain. This can be particularly common in breeds raised for their flesh who tend to carry more weight than breeds raised for their milk. It can be quite challenging to prevent unhealthy weight gain in certain individuals, especially in settings where residents get most of their food from grazing. When residents are primarily eating hay, switching to a lower quality grass hay (as opposed to a richer hay) can be beneficial, but it can be much more difficult to make changes to a resident’s diet during the grazing season. While preventing a cow from grazing on lush pastures and instead feeding them hay in a dry lot will encourage weight loss, you’ll also have to consider how this restriction will impact their quality of life since it affects not only their access to grazing (which is a natural cow behavior) but also their living space (and likely who they can live with). Ideally, you’ll want to provide them with a space that is still large and interesting and that still allows them to live with at least one close companion.
Diet Considerations For Individuals With Dental Disease
As mentioned above, cows with dental disease may struggle to eat tough forages. In some cases, switching to softer hay or chopped hay may be all that is needed. However, some individuals may require supplemental food in order to get all the nutrients they require. Again, your veterinarian will be able to make specific recommendations based on the individual’s specific case, but here we’ll describe what this might look like. The frequency and amount of additional food necessary will depend on the specific needs of the individual and whether or not the food is supplementing what they are getting from forages or replacing it entirely. In either case, soaking timothy pellets or other grass hay pellets can be a good option for individuals who can no longer eat dried hay. Alfalfa-based pellets should typically be avoided when feeding neutered males, as alfalfa can increase the risk of some types of urinary calculi. By soaking the hay pellets, they will soften and break down a bit. You may need to play with the consistency to find what the individual most prefers – some prefer an oatmeal-like consistency, and others like it a bit soupier. To increase palatability, certain additions, such as beet pulp or a small amount of concentrates, may be recommended and can also be softened through soaking. By giving them foods that do not require the extensive chewing that dried and fresh forages require, you can ensure residents with dental issues are still getting all of the nutrients they need.
Diet Considerations For Individuals With Underlying Health Conditions
Some health conditions can make it more difficult for a cow to maintain a healthy weight. For example, individuals with Johne’s disease or certain cancers may lose weight despite a healthy appetite. These individuals may require additional nutrients and supplementation in order to maintain a healthy weight (or to prevent/slow further weight loss). Your veterinarian may recommend a diet higher in protein, the addition of healthy fats (such as from flaxseedWhen using flaxseed as an animal supplement, it should be ground, not served whole. Consider using a clean coffee grinder and grinding the seed right before feeding for greatest effectiveness! oil), and possibly supplemental vitamins and minerals. To increase protein levels, your veterinarian may recommend switching from grass hay to one that contains alfalfa. While this may increase the risk of urinary calculi in neutered males, if they are suffering from a chronic, incurable disease, the benefits of adding alfalfa to their diet may outweigh the risks. Your veterinarian will be best able to advise you. They may also recommend using a mineral formula that contains protein.
In addition to making changes to the type of hay and minerals you are using, residents with underlying conditions that lead to weight loss may benefit from additional supplementation, as recommended by your veterinarian. This may include hay pellets, beet pulp shreds, and/or cow-safe concentrates, as described above. If chewing is not an issue, you can consider offering these foods without soaking them, but if the individual eats very quickly, they could choke. The risk of choking is reduced when the food is soaked.
While some underlying conditions cause weight loss without affecting the individual’s appetite, other conditions lead to weight loss because they affect the individual’s appetite. These individuals may need encouragement to eat. If you know their favorite foods, incorporating them into their diet might get them interested in eating. If you don’t know their favorite foods, do some experimenting. Try offering them some hay pellets, both dried and soaked, with and without beet pulp, and (if needed) try adding a small amount of different concentrates (again, try both dried and soaked if safe to do so). You can also try the “cut and carry” method – gathering a mix of cow-safe vegetation and bringing these directly to them.
Feeding Considerations For Individuals With Osteoarthritis Or Other Mobility Issues
Individuals with osteoarthritis or other mobility issues may struggle to eat enough during the grazing season if access to fresh forages involves walking longer distances or walking up steep grades. They might require access to a different outdoor space that requires less walking (we’ll discuss this more in “Outdoor Living Space Considerations”) and/or might also need to have easy access to hay in their indoor space or other areas where they typically spend time if fresh forages are not available in that area.
In addition to ensuring they have easy access to food, make sure they also have easy access to water. This may mean needing to provide additional water sources spread out through the living space to ensure they always have water nearby. For individuals with limited mobility who spend a lot of time lying down, keeping a large bowl of water near them or offering them water throughout the day may be necessary.
Feeding Considerations To Prevent Residents From Getting Crowded Out
In some cases, older residents may be eating less because they are getting crowded out by other residents. This occurs more often with hay than pasture vegetation because access to hay is often confined to a much smaller area than access to fresh vegetation (when available). Be sure to offer ample space for everyone to eat comfortably and offer additional areas for residents to eat hay if it seems like anyone is getting pushed away or seems intimidated by the others. In some cases, an older resident may do best in a smaller group with other residents who are more mild-mannered. We’ll talk about this more in “Social Considerations For Older Cows.”
Living Space Considerations For Older Cows
As with their diet, some older cow residents may continue to do well without any changes to their living spaces, but others may require certain modifications to keep them safe and comfortable.
Indoor Living Spaces For Older Cows
It’s important to monitor an older resident’s indoor living space to ensure it keeps them comfortable and is free of any hazards that could cause injury. Be sure to consider the following:
Flooring
Flooring that is easy on the feet and joints and that provides proper traction is imperative for all cow residents. A slip and fall can have devastating consequences in a cow of any age, but older cows may be more vulnerable to injury and could have a more challenging recovery. We recommend dirt floors for cows, but pits and slopes can develop over time as dirt washes away or is raked up during cleaning, and these could be hazardous for older residents. Divots could result in leg injury, and if an arthritic cow lies down on a recessed or sloped area, they could have difficulty getting up (which could lead to bloat and/or injury). Be sure to keep dirt floors level and fill in holes as they develop. Keep in mind that pits and slopes might not be apparent under bedding, so be sure to routinely evaluate the floor when it has been stripped of all bedding for cleaning.
Bedding
Older cow residents may also need to have different bedding in order to make it easier for them to walk and comfortably relax indoors. Cows with arthritis may not lift their legs as high as they once did when walking, which can cause them to become tangled in long-fibered straw bedding. For these individuals, consider using short-fibered straw or low-dust wood shavings. Watch for clumps of bedding getting packed between an older resident’s claws – you may need to remove this regularly, taking care not to put yourself in a dangerous position.
Individuals who spend a lot of time lying down might benefit from modifications to their bedding in order to help prevent pressure sores. Providing a thicker layer of bedding than you typically do might do the trick. Alternatively, you might consider if they would benefit from being housed on sand. For some individuals, the addition of a thick layer of naturally sourced sand on top of packed dirt floors can take pressure off achy joints while standing and can prevent pressure sores while lying down. Like any other substrate, this would need regular cleaning. Sand can provide lots of cushion, but it can also easily become cold and damp, so it may not be a good option in certain climates or during certain times of the year. Additionally, if using sand, you must be very careful to keep food off the ground to avoid ingestion of sand, which can result in impaction.
Housing Design
While indoor spaces are often slightly elevated for drainage purposes, make sure residents do not have to take a large step up in order to move from the outdoors to the indoors. A gentle slope will be easiest for arthritic residents to navigate. Having to step up or down or over a raised threshold could result in tripping or abrasions to the feet.
As mentioned above, if a resident becomes stuck down, your veterinarian may recommend using equipment to manually lift them. Low ceilings and lofts can make it difficult or even impossible to use equipment to lift a resident. Therefore, we recommend older cows, in particular, live in spaces that provide enough vertical space for equipment, such as a bucket tractor, to fully lift the bucket attachment if needed.
Outdoor Living Spaces For Older Cows
As a cow resident ages, their activity level may decrease, especially if they have arthritis or another health condition that affects their mobility or stamina. If residents spend part of the year grazing in their outdoor space, be sure to consider how to make this easier for an older resident who may struggle to walk long distances. Providing older cow residents with an outdoor space that offers fresh vegetation that can be accessed without having to walk very far from their indoor space (and without having to walk over rough or steep terrain) can make foraging more accessible. This doesn’t mean that every older resident must be moved to a smaller or completely flat outdoor space. In some cases, an older resident with mobility or stamina issues who lives in a larger space may not feel the need to travel very far if they have adequate forage nearby. However, every individual and situation is unique. You may find that an older resident chooses to follow others further out, regardless of the effort involved, even if they have forage available in an area that is easier to access.
In some cases, you may need to separate an individual from their current social group in order to provide them with the type of space they need, but this must be done thoughtfully and with their social needs in mind (discussed more below). If you care for multiple older individuals who are bonded, creating a separate herd for them and providing them with gentler terrain may be an easy solution. If you only care for one older resident and find they are struggling in their current living space, creating a separate space for them to live with a few of their more docile companions may be necessary. You’ll have to consider social bonds here – unless absolutely necessary for their health or safety, you should avoid separating residents from their closest companions.
Make sure older residents have easy access to food, water, minerals, and shelter. It’s a good idea to check on older residents regularly throughout the day (and even more often during extreme weather) to ensure they are able to move themselves into an area that provides protection from the elements. You don’t want a situation where an older cow resident finds themselves unable to rise and subsequently gets stuck in dangerous temperatures or intense sun.
If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, you may need to take extra precautions to keep older cow residents safe during these times. No cow residents should ever be allowed on icy terrain, as a fall could result in a life-threatening injury. Older cows may also have trouble walking on hard, frozen terrain, even if it is not actually icy. During periods of fluctuating temperatures, outdoor spaces can easily become very rough and uneven, and when frozen solid, this type of terrain can be very uncomfortable for anyone, but especially an older cow who may already be a bit more stiff and sore in colder temperatures.
Good drainage is important in all cow living spaces to prevent them from becoming overly muddy but keep in mind that deep, thick mud may be especially difficult for an older resident to navigate, and muddy walkways could also pose a slipping hazard.
Social Considerations For Older Cows
As cows are herd animals, they typically form strong bonds with fellow cows if raised alongside other members of their species. As a result, living away from other cows can be distressing. If you decide that it’s best to separate an older cow resident from their herd, try to house them with at least one other cow with whom they are bonded. If, for some reason, this is not possible, consider other residents who may be a good fit. You can read more about safe cohabitation considerations for cows here.
While it may seem like a lot of additional considerations, it’s important to be aware of how an older cow resident’s needs may change as they age and ways in which you can meet those needs. A little extra consideration can go a long way in keeping older residents comfortable and content despite some of the challenges that can come with old age!
Infographic
For an easy-to-share infographic covering some of the areas discussed in this resource, click here!
SOURCES:
