Water buffalo are farmed across Asia and Europe for milk, meat, and draft labor. Their welfare needs differ significantly from cattle and are often poorly addressed in intensive systems.
Farmed water buffalo have specific welfare needs that are frequently overlooked when they are managed using cattle husbandry templates. Access to water for wallowing is not merely a preference but a physiological necessity for thermoregulation; without it, buffalo suffer heat stress, skin irritation from parasites, and behavioral frustration. Social animals, buffalo experience significant distress when separated from herd members or when calves are removed abruptly after birth. Draft animals used for plowing and transport in developing regions often suffer from wounds, malnutrition, and overwork. Breed-specific welfare standards and training for handlers are essential to improve outcomes across all buffalo production systems.