Can Cows Eat Cabbage?

Can cows eat cabbage? I’m glad you asked. Cows eat various vegetables like carrots, but can cows eat cabbage? Is it good for them? What about cabbage leaves? Read on to find out.

Can Cows Eat Cabbage?

The good news is yes, cows can eat cabbage including the leaves, but before you start feeding cabbage to your livestock, there are some important things you should be aware of first. Let’s find out what’s good and bad about giving cabbage to your cows.

Is Cabbage Good for Cows?

The answer is yes. Cabbage is good and safe for cows to eat in moderation, including the leaves. However, you should learn how to prepare it to avoid some risks.

Cabbage contain numerous nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and carbs that can benefit cows. in addition to a high moisture levels (about 92%) that makes it a good treat for hot summer months because it can help keep your cows well-hydrated.

Down below, we’ve put together few of the health benefits of feeding cabbage to cows.

Vitamins

Cows need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are some vitamins that your ruminants can get from cabbage.

Vitamin A is required for your cows to maintain healthy organs and eyes.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) helps in protein metabolism in the cows’ body, impacting their overall health from growing and repairing muscles to a healthy skin.
Vitamin C helps produce antibodies which are important for cows’ immune system, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory
Vitamin K in cabbage aids your cows’ blood’s ability to coagulate normally.

Minerals

Cows need several minerals in their food. Down below are few minerals that your livestock can get from cabbage.

Potassium content of cabbage helps lower blood pressure and protect your cows from strokes and other problems like osteoporosis and kidney stones.
Calcium in cabbage help your calves build and maintain healthy and strong bones. The cows’ nerves, muscles and heart also require calcium to work properly.
Magnesium in cabbage aids the cows’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy heart.
Iron in cabbage is important for cows’ body to produce healthy red blood cells.

Fiber

Cabbage contains 2.5% fiber which keep your cows’ digestion system in good condition.

Protein

Cabbage is also 1.3% protein which is essential for your cows’ growth.

Is Cabbage Bad for Cows?

No, cabbage is neither bad nor poisonous to your cows. However, eating extensive quantities can lead to some severe side effects like diarrhea and digestion issues due to the high water content.

Do Cows Like Cabbage?

Yes, cows like cabbage; they find it delicious and would happily eat it irrespective of how much you give.

Want to make sure? Watch this video

How Much Cabbage Can Cows Eat?

There is no exact rule about how much cabbage your cows can eat. However, cabbage or any snack shouldn’t make more than 10% of cows’ total calories. cabbage should be considered as a treat, not as a replacement for their main diet. If you feed cows cabbage, it should be as a part of a well-balanced food.

How to Feed Cabbage to Cows?

Here is how you can serve cabbage to your cows.

Seek organic cabbage whenever possible.
Ensure there are no contaminants on the skin.
chop the cabbage up into smaller slices that your calves can enjoy.
Mix the cabbage with other foods that your cow usually enjoy.
Start with a smaller amount of cabbage the first time you serve it to your calves to see if they show any side effects. It’s wise to do this with any new food.