Farm Animal Welfare

Dairy Cattle Laminitis Causes and Prevention

Laminitis in dairy cattle causes chronic pain and lameness, with nutritional management and floor design being key prevention strategies.

Key Facts

Subclinical laminitis affects up to 30% of dairy cows in high-yield herds
High starch diets, transition period stress and inadequate lying time are primary causes
Rumen acidosis from rapid diet changes destabilises hoof laminae circulation
Rubber flooring and soft cubicle bedding reduce mechanical load on feet
Digital dermatitis concurrent with laminitis worsens lameness outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Laminitis is a major welfare challenge in high-producing dairy herds, causing chronic pain that affects daily behaviour, lying time and social interaction. Prevention requires attention to nutrition, transition cow management and lying surface quality as an integrated system.

What You Can Do

Support dairy farms with documented lameness monitoring and low prevalence targets
Choose milk from certified welfare schemes that include lameness standards
Advocate for lying time requirements in dairy welfare legislation