Global goat milk and cheese production involves hundreds of millions of animals, yet goat welfare receives far less research and regulatory attention than cattle dairy systems.
Kid separation distresses both mother and offspring in goat dairy systems, as in cattle. Disbudding without proper anaesthesia causes acute pain in young animals. Goats on inadequate flooring develop hoof problems and avoid normal resting. The relative lack of welfare research compared to cattle means many standard practices have not been rigorously assessed.