Common Cattle Health Problems & How Proper Nutrition Helps Prevent Them
Healthy cattle are the foundation of every successful dairy farm. Many health issues in cows and buffaloes start silently — reduced appetite, weak immunity, low milk yield, weight loss, or digestive trouble. Most farmers don’t realise that poor or imbalanced nutrition is the root cause of many common problems.
Good feed cannot cure every disease, but it can prevent 70–80% of daily health issues simply by giving cattle the right nutrients.
Below is a clear explanation of the most common cattle health problems and how proper nutrition helps prevent them.
1. Low Milk Yield — The First Sign of Nutritional Deficiency
One of the earliest symptoms of poor feeding is a drop in milk production. When the cow does not get enough protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins, her body cannot maintain milk flow. Even small nutritional gaps can reduce yield within just 7–10 days.
✔ How Nutrition Helps
Balanced feed provides quick, digestible energy that supports milk production. Protein improves milk volume and fat percentage. Minerals like calcium and phosphorus keep the udder strong and prevent issues like milk fever. When cattle receive complete nutrition daily, milk output stays stable, even during seasonal changes or stress.
Proper nutrition ensures that the animal does not use her body reserves for energy — instead, she converts feed effectively into milk.
2. Digestive Problems — Gas, Indigestion & Loss of Appetite
Digestive issues are extremely common, especially when cattle eat low-fibre diets, spoiled fodder, or feed that’s difficult to digest. In monsoon, the risk is even higher due to moisture and fungal growth.
Poor digestion leads to bloating, low appetite, stress, and a sharp drop in milk yield.
✔ How Nutrition Helps
Fibre is essential for rumen function. When cattle get enough fibre and balanced nutrients, the stomach works smoothly. Probiotics and digestive enhancers reduce gas formation and help the animal break down feed properly. Clean, fungus-free feed prevents infections.
Once digestion improves, cattle start eating properly, which automatically improves their health and production.
3. Weak Immunity — Silent Issue Behind Most Illnesses
Cattle with weak immunity fall sick more often — fever, infections, wounds that don’t heal, reproductive delays, and frequent veterinary visits. Lack of minerals like copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, D, E is the main reason for low immunity.
These nutrients help the body fight bacteria, viruses, and stress.
✔ How Nutrition Helps
Mineral-rich balanced feed strengthens natural immunity, making cattle more resistant to infection. Vitamins boost metabolism, cell repair, and disease recovery. Good nutrition reduces the frequency of illness and the severity of symptoms. This means fewer vet bills and healthier cattle all year round.
Strong immunity = fewer diseases = more profit for the farmer.
4. Slow Growth in Calves — A Long-Term Loss for Farmers
Calves require a perfect balance of protein, minerals, and energy to grow properly. If calves do not get enough nutrition in the early months, they grow slowly, become weak, and eventually become low-yield adult cows.
This is one of the biggest hidden losses in dairy farming.
✔ How Nutrition Helps
Protein builds muscle and supports bone development. Minerals help in height, bone strength, and joint health. Good-quality calf feed ensures steady growth and strong immunity. A well-fed calf becomes a strong adult cow with higher milk production.
Early nutrition is an investment — it decides the future productivity of your farm.
Conclusion
Cattle health depends more on what they eat every day than anything else. While medicines treat diseases, nutrition prevents them. Balanced feed protects digestion, boosts immunity, improves milk yield, and ensures proper growth in calves. With the right nutrition, cattle stay healthy, stronger, and more productive throughout the year.
Shreeji Agrovet’s scientifically balanced cattle feed provides all essential proteins, fibres, vitamins, and minerals needed for long-term animal health and farm profitability.