Mastitis in Dairy Cows: Preventing a Major Welfare Problem

Mastitis is the most economically costly and one of the most welfare-significant diseases in dairy cattle, requiring proactive prevention and prompt treatment.

Key Facts

Mastitis affects approximately 35-40% of dairy cows in the UK each year
Clinical mastitis causes acute pain, fever, and reduced milk production
Subclinical mastitis causes chronic pain without obvious external signs in many cases
Bedding management, teat condition, and milking hygiene are the primary prevention factors
Treatment decisions including dry cow therapy are being revised toward targeted rather than blanket use

Welfare Considerations

Mastitis causes genuine suffering ranging from acute systemic illness with fever and pain in clinical cases to chronic low-grade pain in subclinical disease. Cows with mastitis show altered lying behaviour, reduced feed intake, and decreased interaction with other cows. The chronic nature of subclinical mastitis, which may persist for months without obvious signs, means many cows carry a sustained pain burden that is invisible to casual observation. Prompt identification and treatment is essential for welfare, and prevention through excellent hygiene, dry cow management, and housing quality reduces incidence. Economic pressure sometimes delays treatment, creating welfare compromises that are both ethically and legally problematic.

What You Can Do

Support dairy assurance schemes with rigorous mastitis prevention and treatment standards
Advocate for cell count thresholds that trigger mandatory welfare assessment
Ask retailers about mastitis incidence indicators in their dairy supply chains
Support research into prevention strategies that reduce mastitis without increasing antibiotic use
Learn about the welfare indicators associated with mastitis to understand its impact on cows