Can We Just Talk About the Fact That Feeding Animals Their Kin is Messed Up?

First of all, cows can have best friends.

Research shows cows become stressed when they are separated from their favorite bovine companions. During an experiment lead by Northampton University, cattle were placed in a pen with either a familiar cow friend with whom they’d developed a relationship or a cow stranger. Researchers measured the test cow’s cortisol levels and heart rate in 15 second intervals and found when cows were placed with their preferred partner, their stress levels were reduced.

Head researcher and discoverer of the phenomena, Krista McLennan said

‘I’ve spoken to a number of farmers who have said they do notice bonds building among their cows and some spending a lot of time together.’

BAM: Cows have best friends.

Two: Why do we feed animals their kin? That’s just disturbing! And it obviously spreads disease. BSE, or Mad Cow Disease, doesn’t spread naturally from cow to cow. It’s suspected the disease is transmitted by feeding cows animal meal. Moreover, the disease can spread from goats and sheep to cows so even feeding them not cows is potentially dangerous.

We should just feed these animals what they’re intended to eat.

Grass. Leafy stuff. Hay.