10 Things to Love About Cows

If you have never given much thought to how wonderful cows are, now is a great time to start. Cows are gentle animals who are affectionate, emotional, and intelligent. Mahatma Gandhi described a cow as “a poem of compassion.” Cows are certainly deserving of our compassion as well as our understanding and respect. Before I became vegan, I didn’t know much about cows. I had only seen one once; after all, I was a city girl.

When I visited a farmed animal sanctuary, I was amazed at how beautiful, serene and at peace these once abused but now fortunate animals were. Getting up close and personal with a cow and touching her was an emotional experience for me. As I gently stroked her head with my hand, I looked into the cow’s eyes and apologized for my past behavior of eating meat and dairy and for not appreciating her rightful place on this planet alongside me. Today I not only appreciate cows but I love them. My blog even has a spokes-cow named Trudy. If you don’t know much about our bovine friends, here are 10 things about cows that may astound you:

1. Cows are Smart

The idea that cows are dumb is a myth. Cows are actually very intelligent, curious, and able to think critically and solve problems. Studies have shown that cows are capable of learning associations and using past experiences to determine their future actions. When faced with a challenge, cows get very excited with elevated heart rates and brainwaves. Some cows even jump in the air as if they are yelling, “I did it!”

2. Cows Have Great Memories

If you find yourself in the presence of a cow, be nice to her because she will remember you. Cows have great memories and are very good at remembering and recognizing faces even after long periods of time. Cows also have good spatial memory. They can remember where things are located such as food, water, shelter, best grazing spots, and most importantly, the location of their babies.

3. Cows are Highly Emotional

Even cows have mood swings. They are unhappy when the weather is bad and smile when it’s sunny outside. Like humans, cows seek pleasure and love to play. When let outside after being cooped up for too long, cows run, prance and jump with joy. Sometimes, however, a cow just wants to be left alone because she’s not feeling well and isolates herself from others. Cows can be moody and sensitive. They may dislike certain individuals and can hold a grudge for years against other cows and people who have crossed them.

4. Cows Form Close Friendships

Cows form strong bonds and friendships, choosing to spend much of their time with just a few preferred individuals. They even have best friends. Studies have shown that when cows are with their BFFs (Bovine Forever Friends), their stress levels decrease and when separated from them, their stress levels increase. Cows help each other, learn from each other and make decisions based on compassion and altruism. They even form grooming partnerships where they can do each other’s hair.

5. Cows Can Be Popular

It may sound a bit like high school but cows have a social hierarchy with a Queen Bee…uh, Cow. There is often one cow in the herd who is seen as the boss and who dictates behavior to the rest of the cows. Any cows that don’t follow the leader will become isolated from the herd. When new cows are introduced to a well-established herd, she will have to network and build relationships until she is accepted into the pack.

6. Cows Love Their Babies

The most powerful relationship for a cow is that between a mother and baby. Cows have strong maternal bonds and are attentive, protective, and loving parents. When allowed, a mother cow may nurse her calf for as long as three years. The mother-child bond continues after weaning; mothers and their children remain close to each other for life. There is also a sense of maternal community as other cows in the herd will help nurture calves if necessary.

7. Cows Grieve Deeply

Because cows form such strong bonds with their loved ones, it is only natural that they show signs of grief when separated from them. When a calf is taken away, the mother will cry and bellow for hours, even days, and fall into a deep depression. Mother cows will search for their babies, visibly distressed, just as the calves cry for their mother.

8. Cows Say More Than Moo

While cows do “moo” to communicate, they also use different body positions and facial expressions. Another way cows “chat” is by mimicking each other’s actions. If one cow gets up from eating and starts walking across the field, other cows may get up and follow. This group behavior and networking is a type of communication between the cows.

9. Cows are Affectionate and Forgiving

If you have never given a cow a belly rub, you should put it on your bucket list. Cows love to be petted, stroked, and scratched behind the ears. They are very loving and welcome interactions with kind people. Even cows who have been mistreated or abused in the past can heal over time, forgive and learn to trust people again.

10. Cows Can Live Up to 20 Years

When cows are not enslaved in the meat and dairy industry, their natural lifespan can be up to 20 years. That is over 4 times the life expectancy of cows used for food. Cows raised for meat are slaughtered when less than 2 years old and calves killed for veal don’t get to live more than a few months. Cows used in the dairy industry are sent to slaughter when their milk production slows, usually around the age of 4. Obviously, cows were intended to share this Earth with us for a much longer time.

Now that you know so much about cows, be sure to go meet one. Visit one of the many animal sanctuaries where cows get to live in peace and safety and maybe even give one a belly rub. I promise it will be a “moo-ving” experience.

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