If you have never given much thought to cows, now is a great time to start. Cows are gentle animals who are affectionate, and intelligent. Someone described a cow as “a poem of compassion.” Cows are certainly deserving of our compassion as well as our respect.

1.Cows are Highly Emotional

Even cows have mood swings. They are unhappy when the weather is bad and smile when it’s sunny outside. Like humans, cows seek pleasure and love to play. When let outside after being cooped up for too long, cows run, prance and jump with joy.

Sometimes, however, a cow just wants to be left alone because she’s not feeling well and isolates herself from others. Cows can be moody and sensitive. They may dislike certain individuals and can hold a grudge for years against other cows and people who have crossed them.

2.Cows Love Their Babies

The most powerful relationship for a cow is that between a mother and baby. Cows have strong maternal bonds and are attentive, protective, and loving parents. When allowed, a mother cow may nurse her calf for as long as three years.

The mother-child bond continues after weaning,mothers and their children remain close to each other for life. There is also a sense of maternal community as other cows in the herd will help nurture calves if necessary.

3.Cows Grieve Deeply

Because cows form such strong bonds with their loved ones, it is only natural that they show signs of grief when separated from them.

When a calf is taken away, the mother will cry and bellow for hours, even days, and fall into a deep depression. Mother cows will search for their babies, visibly distressed, just as the calves cry for their mother.

4. Cows Say More Than Moo

While cows do “moo” to communicate, they also use different body positions and facial expressions. Another way cows “chat” is by mimicking each other’s actions.

If one cow gets up from eating and starts walking across the field, other cows may get up and follow. This group behavior and networking is a type of communication between the cows.

To properly care for cattle, it is important that you understand the ways that they communicate. Accurately assessing a cow’s feelings will allow you to limit the stress they are experiencing, thus increasing productivity. Let's learn more about how a cow may show affection.

1.Following One Another

If you notice your cow following you around when you are working outside, chances are your cow likes hanging out with you. After all, one would not attempt to stay close to someone unless they enjoyed being with that person.

Of course, the reasonable assumption can be made that your cow may just be following you because they expect you to feed them.

While this is often true, a cow would not follow a person – even for treats – unless there was some measure of trust and respect within the relationship.

So even if your cow is following you in hopes of a snack, you can assume that she trusts you and likes spending time with you.

2.Grooming

Allogrooming refers to the grooming of one another within the same species. While this occurs regularly within a herd of cattle, cows have also been known to groom others outside of their species to show affection as well.

Cows groom in a specific way to show affection – they lick on another around the head and the neck to form bonds and connect with one another.

It is believed that the focus on the head and neck is a way to groom one another in areas that a cow cannot reach herself. In this way, they are caring for one another.