Research is identifying measurable positive welfare states in cattle beyond simply the absence of suffering.
Positive welfare science in cattle is moving beyond absence of disease and injury to ask whether cattle can flourish. Play in adult cattle — still observable in good welfare conditions — indicates surplus energy and psychological wellbeing. Allogrooming between preferred partners indicates positive social bonds. Positive anticipation of pleasant events can be measured. These indicators provide a more complete welfare picture than negative indicators alone and are increasingly incorporated into welfare assessment schemes.