Water buffalo and domestic buffalo are farmed across Asia and beyond for dairy, meat, and draft work, with welfare challenges often underrecognized.
Buffalo welfare is frequently overlooked in agricultural policy despite the species being critically important to livelihoods across Asia. Draft animals face overwork, inadequate nutrition, and untreated injuries from equipment. Denial of wallowing opportunities causes heat stress and skin problems. Dairy buffalo experience the same grief of calf separation that affects cattle, yet this receives less attention. Working buffalo often develop painful foot problems from hard surfaces and insufficient hoof care. Cultural attitudes that view buffalo as highly durable can mask suffering. Improving welfare requires accessible veterinary care, proper hoof management, wallowing access, and social housing.