Dairy goats are kept globally for milk and cheese production, but their behavioral needs and health challenges receive less attention than dairy cattle despite significant welfare implications.
Dairy goat welfare has improved more slowly than dairy cattle welfare, partly because the sector is dominated by smaller operations with less welfare scrutiny and certification infrastructure. Disbudding without anesthesia remains widespread; kid separation is nearly universal; CAE prevalence goes unmanaged in many herds; and surplus male kids face the same early-death fate as dairy bull calves. Higher-welfare dairy goat production requires pain management for all procedures, delayed kid separation where feasible, CAE testing and control programs, and responsible disposal plans for male kids beyond veal or pet markets.