It’s All About COWmunication!

Some tips on how to talk to Cows:

Just like my dog Earl, cows love to be petted, stroked, and scratched behind the ears. They are very loving and they welcome interactions with kind people. I have not had the experience yet, but I have seen cows laying down with their human friends, enjoying snuggles and just being present together. This presence and mutual enjoyment are a form of communication and trust we can have with these wonderful animals.

We all know that cows go "moo" right, but there's a little more to it than that. The soft moo of a mother to her calf is different from the guttural growl-moo of one bull challenging another, which also differs from the impatient moos of hungry cattle. The continuous mooing at 2 in the morning usually means a mother is calling to its missing calf.

A cow's first line of communication is usually non-mooing. The best way to understand a cow is to learn its body language. Is her head lowered? did she swing her horns at you? or did she kick? Here are some interesting behaviors you might find helpful when talking to these beautiful bovines.

1. "Hello." When two cows meet, they often stretch their necks and sniff each other. So, here is a tip if you want to introduce yourself: hold your hand just a few inches from the cow's nose. Cows are curious and will usually step forward to sniff your hand. Let the cow come to you; don't break spook them by reaching to touch her nose. Would you like a stranger suddenly stroking your nose? Ah, I didn't think so.

1. "Get lost!" Some cows want to socialize, but some don't. Let her be if you've said, "hello," and the cow swings her head at you as if she is brushing you off. If she doesn't want to talk, MOOve on to another cow.

1. "Ahhhh!" Once you know your new cow friend is open to some communication, try a back rub! Cows love this. Even the meanest cow might dip her head to the ground and stand still if you rub her back. Like our dog friends, cows especially enjoy being scratched where their horns can't reach, like the top of her tail or the middle of her back. A cow’s hide is thick, and a vigorous scratching will win her heart.

1. "More scratching!" Cows also love to have their chests and necks massaged, too. If you have such interaction with the cow you visit, next time they might search you out for neck rubs. Some have had the experience of their cow standing for hours, resting its head on their shoulder while getting its chest rubbed. (a cow often has more time than humans do).

1. "Hey!" It’s important to never sneak up on a cow. All cows will kick if startled. Cows have what is referred to as panoramic vision. Because their big eyes are on the sides of their face, they can see things in all directions without moving their heads. They have 300° vision. They can see everything except what is directly behind them. So it’s important to let them know you are approaching. Move to her side so she can see you.

This is basic COWmunication that we can practice! - Next time you have an opportunity visit a cow use these tips to get acquainted and you will have a bovine buddy for life. Mooya!