Dehorning and disbudding of cattle are among the most common painful procedures in agriculture, with welfare improvements achievable through analgesic use, timing, and genetic alternatives.
Dehorning without adequate pain relief is one of the most welfare-significant routine practices in cattle production. The procedure causes acute pain that is measurable through cortisol and behavioral indicators, and post-procedure pain lasts 24-48 hours in many animals. The existence of polled genetics that eliminate the need for the procedure entirely makes continued dehorning increasingly difficult to justify from a welfare perspective. Transitioning breeding programs toward polled genetics represents the most comprehensive and permanent welfare solution, while mandatory analgesic use addresses the welfare cost of dehorning in the transition period.