Cattle Pain Recognition and Management on Farm

Improving pain recognition and management in cattle is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions available to farmers and veterinarians.

Key Facts

Cattle are stoic animals that minimize pain display as a prey species survival strategy, making recognition difficult
The Cattle Pain Scale (CPS) is a validated tool for assessing acute and chronic pain in cattle
Lameness affects 20-25% of dairy cows and is one of the most painful and common welfare issues on dairy farms
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are underused in cattle pain management despite proven welfare benefits
Farmer training in pain recognition significantly increases analgesic use and reduces untreated pain duration

Welfare Considerations

Cattle pain management has historically lagged behind companion animal medicine due to assumptions about bovine stoicism and economic constraints on treatment. Research has established that cattle experience pain similarly to other mammals and that effective treatment is both ethically required and economically beneficial through improved recovery and productivity. The tools for better cattle pain management exist - validated assessment scales, effective analgesics, and training programs - and the welfare case for their adoption is compelling.

What You Can Do

Support farmers and veterinarians who prioritize pain assessment and treatment in cattle
Advocate for analgesic protocols to become standard practice for painful procedures
Choose dairy products from farms with documented pain management policies
Support research into improved cattle pain recognition tools
Learn about cattle welfare indicators and pain behavior