Farmed Animals

Mastitis Prevention in Dairy Cows

Mastitis is the most costly disease in dairy farming and a major source of cow suffering that is largely preventable.

Key Facts

Mastitis affects an estimated 25-40 percent of dairy cows at least once during lactation
The condition causes severe inflammation, pain, and sometimes death in affected udder quarters
Subclinical mastitis has no visible signs but reduces milk quality and cow welfare
Hygiene, teat condition monitoring, and prompt treatment are key prevention strategies
Excessive milking frequency and poor milking technique contribute to mastitis risk

Welfare Considerations

Mastitis causes significant pain and suffering in dairy cows and is a major welfare concern in the industry. While some mastitis is inevitable, much of the disease burden is preventable through good husbandry, hygiene management, and selective dry cow therapy rather than blanket antibiotic use.

What You Can Do

Support dairy welfare schemes that include mastitis monitoring requirements
Choose dairy products from farms with independently verified low somatic cell counts
Advocate for mandatory mastitis monitoring data to be made public
Support research into mastitis prevention through management and selective breeding