What a Tool-Using Cow Taught Us About the Importance of Cow Comfort

When Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, released her research on animal tool use, she expected curiosity. What she didn’t expect was her inbox overflowing with real-life examples from animal owners around the world.

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Intrigued, Auersperg and fellow researcher Antonio Osuna-Mascaró visited Veronika in person. What they observed challenged long-held assumptions about cattle intelligence and revealed something even more important for farmers: cows actively seek comfort and will find ways to improve their own welfare when given the chance.

Cows Are Smarter Than We Think

For decades, cows were mainly viewed through the lens of production — milk yield, growth rate, and herd management. But modern research in animal cognition shows that cattle are capable of:

• Problem-solving
• Social learning
• Memory retention
• Emotional responses
• Tool use (as Veronika demonstrated)

This means cows are not passive animals. They are aware of their environment and motivated to reduce discomfort — especially physical irritation like itching or skin pressure.

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Why Cow Comfort Is More Than Just a Welfare Trend

Cow comfort refers to how well a cow’s environment meets her physical and behavioral needs. When cows are uncomfortable, they don’t just feel stressed — their health and productivity suffer.

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Signs of Poor Cow Comfort

• Excessive standing or lying in awkward positions
• Rubbing against hard surfaces
• Skin injuries or hair loss
• Restlessness in stalls
• Reduced feed intake
• Lower milk production

Veronika using a rake wasn’t a party trick — it was a self-care behavior. She had an itch and solved it using the tools available. In barns without proper scratching equipment, cows often rub against walls, feeders, or metal edges, which can cause injuries.

The Science Behind Cow Grooming Behavior

Cows naturally groom themselves and each other to:

• Remove parasites
• Improve blood circulation
• Reduce skin irritation
• Strengthen social bonds

When natural grooming opportunities are limited in housing systems, cows actively look for alternatives. This is where cow brushes, scratches, and well-designed housing play a critical role.

Providing proper grooming tools: 

✔ Reduces stress

✔ Lowers skin disease risk

✔ Encourages natural behavior

✔ Improves overall cow welfare

How Cow Comfort Impacts Milk Production

Comfort isn’t just about kindness — it’s directly tied to farm profitability.

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Research consistently shows that comfortable cows:

• Lie down longer (ideal: 12–14 hours/day)
• Have better blood flow to the udder
• Experience fewer hoof problems
• Show improved rumination
• Produce more milk

Stress and discomfort trigger cortisol release, which can reduce milk yield and weaken immunity. Something as simple as providing scratching posts or automated cow brushes can reduce irritation and improve daily productivity.

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What Veronika the Cow Teaches Modern Dairy Farming

Veronika’s rake moment is more than a viral video. It’s a reminder that:

Cows actively seek comfort.

If they lack proper facilities, they’ll improvise.

For farmers, this highlights the importance of investing in:

• Mechanical cow brushes
• Comfortable bedding
• Non-slip flooring
• Adequate stall space
• Ventilation and temperature control

When cows are comfortable, they are calmer, healthier, and more productive.

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The Future of Livestock Welfare: Smarter Animals, Smarter Farming

As animal cognition research advances, we are learning that many farm animals are more mentally capable than previously believed. Recognizing this doesn’t just improve ethics — it leads to better herd performance and long-term farm sustainability.

Cow comfort is no longer optional. It’s a foundation of:

• Animal welfare
• Dairy efficiency
• Disease prevention
• Farm profitability

And sometimes, all it takes to remind us of that… is a cow with a rake.

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