Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
We Show 20 Reasons Why Cows Should Be Petted, Not Farmed (20 Pics)
Mahatma Gandhi described cows as “a poem of compassion”. Just like cats and dogs, cows are affectionate, intelligent and enjoy human companionship. Cows are gentle creatures who deserve compassion and respect.
Cows rescued from factory farms are enjoying freedom and compassion in nonprofit sanctuaries where volunteers take care of them.
Nima Sanctuary is the first and only of its kind sanctuary in Romania. Here, cows rescued from slaughter live happily and safely. Nima Sanctuary is raising money to buy a pasture where the cows can frolic in green grass and sunny mountain breeze.
A square meter of pasture costs 3.4 US Dollars or 3 Euros. If you want to help, please share the sanctuary’s fundraiser. Find out more about Nima Sanctuary on their page.
Here are a few images and less known facts about cows!
More info: Facebook | Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Cows Remember Everything Including When Their Human Helps Them Heal A Broken Leg
Final score:
109points
Felicia Dale 7 years ago
Often horses with broken legs are put down because, without extensive and extremely expensive care (including slings to keep them off the broken leg and to keep the other legs and joints not suffering permanently from having to take all the weight) they can still end up suffering terribly and end up permanently disabled. And some horses will just entirely freak out once they come out of any needed surgery and end up severely injuring themselves in the resulting panic. It's really sad, but sometimes it's the kindest thing to do. Some horses, however, survive the experience just fine and end up having good lives. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation.
Load More Replies...
RELATED:
#2
Cows Love Their Babies
Final score:
106points
#3
Cows Form Life Long Friendships With Other Cows
Final score:
105points
#4
Cows Grieve Deeply
If one of their friends crosses the rainbow bridge, they suffer immensely.
Final score:
100points
#5
Cows Love Chin Scratches
Final score:
96points
#7
Cows Love Hugs From Grandpa
Final score:
93points
#8
They Even Like To Give Each Other Kisses
Final score:
83points
#9
Cows Are Smart And Sometimes They Stare Down On You And Judge
Final score:
77points
#10
Cows Have A National Day
Cow Appreciation Day is on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.
Final score:
74points
#11
Cows Use Different Body Positions And Facial Expressions To Communicate
For instance, this cow is saying "that chin scratch is a bit weak; please put more effort into it, lady".
Final score:
73points
#12
They Reward Their Humans With A Big Sloppy Kiss
Final score:
70points
#13
Cows With Names Give More Milk
Happy cows that enjoy their human affection results in larger milk production.
Final score:
66points
Alison Jones 7 years ago
Dairy cows make way more milk than their calves need, and unlike all other mammals, they will produce no matter what once they give birth. Not milking them is painful and can lead to mastitis and death. This has been done over thousands of years of selective breeding; nothing can change that now.
#14
Cows Live Up To 20 Years, Which Is 4 Times The Average Life Span Of Cows Used In The Dairy Industry
Cows and calves used in the meat industry live a maximum of several months.
Final score:
65points
#15
Cows Love Kissing Their Humans
Final score:
62points
#16
Contrary To Popular Belief Bulls Can’t See Red
Final score:
61points
#17
Cows Love Kisses
Final score:
57points
#19
Cows Have Social Hierarchies
It takes a while to become Miss or Mister Popularity among the cow group.
Final score:
48points
Ashleigh Gunty 7 years ago
Fun fact cows also have developed a babysitting system. Where one mother cow will watch all of the young Cavs one day and then they rotate
#20
Cow Tipping Is A Myth
Cows are wary of strangers approaching, so it’s nearly impossible to catch a cow in a state of such bliss that she will allow a stranger close enough to touch her.
Final score:
43points
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Slinkman 7 years ago
Cows are great, when my dad was alive he farmed these animals. He did it with such love and care that i never worried about eating some of their meat (we always got a little meat from our own cows when they went to the slaughterhouse). Because i knew the cow had a great life because of my dads care. It's imo not wrong to eat animals, it's wrong to abuse animals because they become food one day. Farming animals is not something bad, farming animals in an abusive manner is... They are living creatures, not products.
Wilf 4 years ago
Growing up in a dairy and beef farming family, I find it very insulting that "animal welfare" types always assume that farmers cannot care deeply for the welfare of their stock. Farming is hard work, 365 days a year, no respite. You don't do it unless you have deep respect of the animals you are responsible for.
Blue Cicada 7 years ago
All of these examples must be from one poster. Bovine also show a great curiosity with something that looks different or sounds different. They enjoy live music. Bovine come to watch the musicians. Growing up, we played the radio in the barn for the cattle, as they were calmer.
Jo Choto 7 years ago
To those making jokes about eating the animals and how they taste, until you've been to a slaughterhouse and bolted a cow yourself, you could maybe keep your oh-so-funny comments to yourself. I guarantee you wouldn't be able to crack any jokes if you had any idea what happens there.
Bobby Sammons 7 years ago
I have, and I also have seen starving children that would benefit from eating that cow that I bolted.
Load More Replies...
Lingon 7 years ago (edited)
Nice try to spread propaganda. "Cows Live Up To 20 Years, Which Is 4 Times The Average Life Span Of Cows Used In The Dairy Industry" Here is the thing, a cow in the dairy industri can live up to 20 years to, but seldom do as cows get sick (mastitis and so on). But perhaps you think they should die in pain and the owners should let them die without interfering? So it doesn't matter if it's a dairy cow or a cow in some crazy vegan rescue, they all can live until they are 20, but seldom do. And why are you pretending that beef cattle only live a few months? They live for years as they take a long time to grow. The average age for slaughter is 2 years and 5 months. And no, you don't slaughter the beef cows after months, as they are around 2 years and 4 months old when they have their first calf. But it's always nice to see idiots that think that a job that more or less has you working 24 hours a day, is done by peope that don't love their cattle. You do know that we farmers have feelings to? Probably more than you do, as we are willing to go through painful tasks, just to make sure that the animals are okay.
Just a Purpler 7 years ago
You're a farmer? Can I ask you questions about that? I've been trying to research farmer ethics, and I've done all I can online, I want to investigate some local farms soon, but maybe I can start with an online farmer ha. What kind of farm do you have?
Load More Replies... Felicia Dale 7 years ago
All animals are deserving of kindness and respect no matter what their species or their use, or lack of use, for humans.
Daune Jaimes Diaz 7 years ago
The day a my son hugged a calf and it it leaned into him and licked his face was the day I stopped buying beef.
Jo Choto 7 years ago
A lot of these facts are based upon what the human gets out of it. Who cares? The cow (and all the other mammals in the world, and quite a few other creatures) all have feelings and sentience and none of them deserved to be corralled and tortured and killed for our convenience, but people do it anyway.
PAN-cake ;) 7 years ago
Im vegetarian. I wish i could go vegan or cruelty free :( my mom won't let me:((
PAN-cake ;) 7 years ago
Why do i have down votes? Its my life style choice
Load More Replies...
Sue Bradley 4 years ago
This is why I am Vegan - we have no right to take their lives just to have a meal!!!
GFSTaylor 4 years ago
Does that logic also work for eagles, tigers, dingos, foxes, stoats, pike, sharks, crocodiles and all other carnivores/omnivores ?
Load More Replies...
A Jones 4 years ago
Makes sense, cows are pack animals just like humans are (don't deny it, even you introverts). They adore friendship, bonding, affection, and music.
Archer Harris 4 years ago
I like to sing to the cows well I am at work and I give them lots of love well they are being milked.
Load More Replies...
ƒιѕн 7 years ago
Question for the OP. I see you have a fundraiser to buy pasture land. Do you know the acreage required per cow/calf? Where I live in the states it is 1.5 - 2 acres. You have 9 rescues and only 3.5 acres. That does not sound like enough unless you also feed them daily or else it will be grazed to the ground. Maybe the grass grows differently there.
Voice For The Needy (Post author) 7 years ago
I'm not a millionaire, so I have to resort to a fundraiser. Given that fact, you have to realize that I can't afford a huge land. Yes, the cows are being fed apart from what they can graze. The pasture is for them to frolic and run free. It is located in a mountain area.
Load More Replies...
Raluca Ceausu 7 years ago
Nr 18 shouldn't be here. Cows don't need a higher milk production. Cows, like any other mammal produce milk just to feed their babies. Milk is not for humans so no need to increase the production.
Voice For The Needy (Post author) 7 years ago
I wish I could change the text, but I can't. I hope people will understand that I didn't mean the cows are milk machines, rather they would understand that just how us people get more productive in a positive work environment, the same way cows produce more milk for their babies if the humans treat them kindly and affectionately.
Load More Replies...
Monkey Love 4 years ago
I lived and worked on a 1,000 acre organic farm. I've been vegetarian since I was 11 and when I got there I wasn't really keen on working with the cows but was super excited to work with the sheep. When I left after six months, I dislike sheep immensely. Cows are the most amazing animals. They really are super loving. We had one mother break out of so many different paddocks in order to find her baby. She was not going to be separated from her. I don't remember why they'd been separated because we usually let them stay with their babies. Either way, she was amazing. Just proves that they are just these mindless creatures. They love. They feel. They have a hierarchy that is fascinating to watch. We had a barren lady who was like the nursery teacher. She'd gather up all the babies and take them off to play while the mothers were all off having a rest munching on some grass. Her name was Peace. My heart hurts thinking about her, she passed away about 10 years ago.
snipergun 4 years ago
I love cows, they can express happiness and affection same way as puppies but they weight 100+ kilo and their nose to boop IS the size of puppy. We are lucky to live near where they have little hears just around 15 cows. They are best friends with me and my dog just out of curiosity. Farmer who has herd of longhorns said it once, if they want to hit you, they'd do that intentionally for a reason, because they know exactly how big their horns are and what size they are. And also to him it never happened, longhorn bull even made soft corrections as farmer intentionally came too close to top of the horn, while cuddling him. Cows are beautiful creatures and personalities.
ChloeThePotato 4 years ago
I don’t want to be that one person who’s in the comments just spaming to not eat meat, HOWEVER if your interested or want to try going vegetarian, there’s lots of meat alternatives that can taste the exact same (I recommend qorn products or impossible burger for anyone who really likes burgers) and if you don’t want to ignore this comment and move on with your life it’s your choice I just thought I would put this for anyone tentative about becoming vegetarian but considering it :)
Jarrod Nichols 4 years ago
Using personification to justify a political position. Total bullshit. Pun intended.
Goth mouse (they/them) 4 years ago
Theyre so cute! More people should have cows, pigs, sheep etc as pets instead of just as farm animals, they can be just as friendly as cats, dogs or horses!
Blue Cicada 7 years ago
Yes, we have many problems with commercial farming practices in the US, and probably in many developed nations. Yes, we need to be more humane with the animals. Not only is this better for our conscience, but it will literally produce a higher-quality meat, egg, and milk. Increasing the variety of our diet, and adding a plant-based protein to our meals more frequently, can reduce our reliance on meat.
Load More Replies... 
Slinkman 7 years ago
Cows are great, when my dad was alive he farmed these animals. He did it with such love and care that i never worried about eating some of their meat (we always got a little meat from our own cows when they went to the slaughterhouse). Because i knew the cow had a great life because of my dads care. It's imo not wrong to eat animals, it's wrong to abuse animals because they become food one day. Farming animals is not something bad, farming animals in an abusive manner is... They are living creatures, not products.
Wilf 4 years ago
Growing up in a dairy and beef farming family, I find it very insulting that "animal welfare" types always assume that farmers cannot care deeply for the welfare of their stock. Farming is hard work, 365 days a year, no respite. You don't do it unless you have deep respect of the animals you are responsible for.
Blue Cicada 7 years ago
All of these examples must be from one poster. Bovine also show a great curiosity with something that looks different or sounds different. They enjoy live music. Bovine come to watch the musicians. Growing up, we played the radio in the barn for the cattle, as they were calmer.
Jo Choto 7 years ago
To those making jokes about eating the animals and how they taste, until you've been to a slaughterhouse and bolted a cow yourself, you could maybe keep your oh-so-funny comments to yourself. I guarantee you wouldn't be able to crack any jokes if you had any idea what happens there.
Bobby Sammons 7 years ago
I have, and I also have seen starving children that would benefit from eating that cow that I bolted.
Load More Replies... Lingon 7 years ago (edited)
Nice try to spread propaganda. "Cows Live Up To 20 Years, Which Is 4 Times The Average Life Span Of Cows Used In The Dairy Industry" Here is the thing, a cow in the dairy industri can live up to 20 years to, but seldom do as cows get sick (mastitis and so on). But perhaps you think they should die in pain and the owners should let them die without interfering? So it doesn't matter if it's a dairy cow or a cow in some crazy vegan rescue, they all can live until they are 20, but seldom do. And why are you pretending that beef cattle only live a few months? They live for years as they take a long time to grow. The average age for slaughter is 2 years and 5 months. And no, you don't slaughter the beef cows after months, as they are around 2 years and 4 months old when they have their first calf. But it's always nice to see idiots that think that a job that more or less has you working 24 hours a day, is done by peope that don't love their cattle. You do know that we farmers have feelings to? Probably more than you do, as we are willing to go through painful tasks, just to make sure that the animals are okay.
Just a Purpler 7 years ago
You're a farmer? Can I ask you questions about that? I've been trying to research farmer ethics, and I've done all I can online, I want to investigate some local farms soon, but maybe I can start with an online farmer ha. What kind of farm do you have?
Load More Replies... Felicia Dale 7 years ago
All animals are deserving of kindness and respect no matter what their species or their use, or lack of use, for humans.
Daune Jaimes Diaz 7 years ago
The day a my son hugged a calf and it it leaned into him and licked his face was the day I stopped buying beef.
Jo Choto 7 years ago
A lot of these facts are based upon what the human gets out of it. Who cares? The cow (and all the other mammals in the world, and quite a few other creatures) all have feelings and sentience and none of them deserved to be corralled and tortured and killed for our convenience, but people do it anyway.
PAN-cake ;) 7 years ago
Im vegetarian. I wish i could go vegan or cruelty free :( my mom won't let me:((
PAN-cake ;) 7 years ago
Why do i have down votes? Its my life style choice
Load More Replies... Sue Bradley 4 years ago
This is why I am Vegan - we have no right to take their lives just to have a meal!!!
GFSTaylor 4 years ago
Does that logic also work for eagles, tigers, dingos, foxes, stoats, pike, sharks, crocodiles and all other carnivores/omnivores ?
Load More Replies... A Jones 4 years ago
Makes sense, cows are pack animals just like humans are (don't deny it, even you introverts). They adore friendship, bonding, affection, and music.
Archer Harris 4 years ago
I like to sing to the cows well I am at work and I give them lots of love well they are being milked.
Load More Replies... ƒιѕн 7 years ago
Question for the OP. I see you have a fundraiser to buy pasture land. Do you know the acreage required per cow/calf? Where I live in the states it is 1.5 - 2 acres. You have 9 rescues and only 3.5 acres. That does not sound like enough unless you also feed them daily or else it will be grazed to the ground. Maybe the grass grows differently there.
Voice For The Needy (Post author) 7 years ago
I'm not a millionaire, so I have to resort to a fundraiser. Given that fact, you have to realize that I can't afford a huge land. Yes, the cows are being fed apart from what they can graze. The pasture is for them to frolic and run free. It is located in a mountain area.
Load More Replies... Raluca Ceausu 7 years ago
Nr 18 shouldn't be here. Cows don't need a higher milk production. Cows, like any other mammal produce milk just to feed their babies. Milk is not for humans so no need to increase the production.
Voice For The Needy (Post author) 7 years ago
I wish I could change the text, but I can't. I hope people will understand that I didn't mean the cows are milk machines, rather they would understand that just how us people get more productive in a positive work environment, the same way cows produce more milk for their babies if the humans treat them kindly and affectionately.
Load More Replies... Monkey Love 4 years ago
I lived and worked on a 1,000 acre organic farm. I've been vegetarian since I was 11 and when I got there I wasn't really keen on working with the cows but was super excited to work with the sheep. When I left after six months, I dislike sheep immensely. Cows are the most amazing animals. They really are super loving. We had one mother break out of so many different paddocks in order to find her baby. She was not going to be separated from her. I don't remember why they'd been separated because we usually let them stay with their babies. Either way, she was amazing. Just proves that they are just these mindless creatures. They love. They feel. They have a hierarchy that is fascinating to watch. We had a barren lady who was like the nursery teacher. She'd gather up all the babies and take them off to play while the mothers were all off having a rest munching on some grass. Her name was Peace. My heart hurts thinking about her, she passed away about 10 years ago.
snipergun 4 years ago
I love cows, they can express happiness and affection same way as puppies but they weight 100+ kilo and their nose to boop IS the size of puppy. We are lucky to live near where they have little hears just around 15 cows. They are best friends with me and my dog just out of curiosity. Farmer who has herd of longhorns said it once, if they want to hit you, they'd do that intentionally for a reason, because they know exactly how big their horns are and what size they are. And also to him it never happened, longhorn bull even made soft corrections as farmer intentionally came too close to top of the horn, while cuddling him. Cows are beautiful creatures and personalities.
ChloeThePotato 4 years ago
I don’t want to be that one person who’s in the comments just spaming to not eat meat, HOWEVER if your interested or want to try going vegetarian, there’s lots of meat alternatives that can taste the exact same (I recommend qorn products or impossible burger for anyone who really likes burgers) and if you don’t want to ignore this comment and move on with your life it’s your choice I just thought I would put this for anyone tentative about becoming vegetarian but considering it :)
Jarrod Nichols 4 years ago
Using personification to justify a political position. Total bullshit. Pun intended.
Goth mouse (they/them) 4 years ago
Theyre so cute! More people should have cows, pigs, sheep etc as pets instead of just as farm animals, they can be just as friendly as cats, dogs or horses!
Blue Cicada 7 years ago
Yes, we have many problems with commercial farming practices in the US, and probably in many developed nations. Yes, we need to be more humane with the animals. Not only is this better for our conscience, but it will literally produce a higher-quality meat, egg, and milk. Increasing the variety of our diet, and adding a plant-based protein to our meals more frequently, can reduce our reliance on meat.
Load More Replies... 
Related on Bored Panda
