59 Things Cows Can Eat and 31 They Cannot

Quick: what do cows eat? If you said grass, you’re quite right, but these big herbivorous bovines eat lots of other plant-based food besides. Various other kinds of forage, even fruits and veggies, and some things you wouldn’t expect. It turns out that cows can eat a surprisingly varied diet!

But you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that if something is plant-based it’s safe for cows. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some things, including common and seemingly nutritious foods, can make cows really sick or potentially even kill them!

To make sure that doesn’t happen, you need to brush up on what foods cows can, and cannot eat. Check out the lists below to find out more…

What to Feed Your Cows

Cows can eat most of the common fruits and veggies that we do in limited quantities, along with various other kinds of grasses, grains, forbs, and more.

• ✓
  Alfalfa
• ✓
  Bread
• ✓
  Broccoli
• ✓
  Cabbage
• ✓
  Carrots
• ✓
  Celery
• ✓
  Corn
• ✓
  Corn Husks
• ✓
  Cucumbers
• ✓
  Green Beans
• ✓
  Honey
• ✓
  Lettuce
• ✓
  Pumpkin
• ✓ Radishes
• ✓ Rice
• ✓ Spinach
• ✓ Zucchini

Apples

Cows love crispy, sweet apples, and the good news is that they’re highly nutritious for them and a great supplement in their usual diet.

But, don’t be alarmed or upset if you go to give a cow an apple for the first time and they seem wary of it…

If that’s the case, you don’t have to give them the apples or you can chop them up and mix them in with other foods that they do like. After that, they shouldn’t give you any more resistance!

As a rule of thumb, cows should have no more than 20% of their total dietary intake in the form of apples. Depending on the size of the cows in question, this could be anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds daily.

A better strategy, I think, for meeting those requirements is to give them apples as an occasional treat a couple of times a week. This will make sure they aren’t missing out on any other, more nutritious foods.

It might seem like cattle have no trouble crunching on apples because they’re so big and strong, but you can reduce instances of choking and make them a little happier by cutting apples into slices or even chopping them up before serving.

Also keep in mind you can easily mix in chopped apples with feed, grains, or other food to make something interesting and really tasty that they are sure to love. Note that you don’t need to peel the apples…

Acorns

Yes, but only in small quantities occasionally. Acorns have tannins which are toxic in higher concentrations, and can damage their digestive system and kidneys. Never let your cows eat as many as they want!

Almonds

It’s best if they avoid them. Although nominally digestible, almonds have a tendency to cause digestive upset and digestive tract blockages, and are an occasional choking hazard. Not worth the trouble!

Arugula

Yes, they sure can! This peppery lettuce is highly nutritious and a great addition to the usual diet of your herd.

Avocado

No, they cannot. Avocado skins, seeds, and all other parts of the plant contain persin, a dangerous toxin that causes cardiac arrest and respiratory collapse. The flesh either contains no or only trace amounts, but it’s just not worth the risk.

Bananas

Cows can eat bananas, and they’re high-energy and nutritious. Cows shouldn’t have bananas all the time, however, because they are high in sugar and this can lead to digestive issues.

Bananas are typically enjoyed because they taste great, and I’ll bet most cows would agree with that sentiment, but they also happen to be pretty nutritious. First and foremost, bananas are very carbohydrate dense, and they also have a little bit of fiber to provide energy. The vitamin and mineral content of bananas is also pretty impressive, particularly concerning one or two standout nutrients.

Looking at the vitamins first, we see that bananas have a decent B complex profile containing thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid along with tons of vitamin B6 and a little bit of folate. This is rounded out by a good shot of vitamin C. So far so good, all things that cows need!

Looking at the minerals, we see more to like with a great amount of manganese, magnesium and potassium rounded out by significantly lesser amounts of phosphorus zinc and iron.

Beans

Yes, but only if they are soaked and cooked first! Raw beans contain dangerous proteins which will cause massive digestive upset and illness, and red beans tend to be the worst of all. Never, ever give cows raw beans!

Blueberries

Blueberries are safe for cows as an occasional treat. They are packed with healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that will benefit them, but they’re much too sweet to be eaten more than once or twice a week.

If you want to get some quality time with them, you can feed them the berries right out of hand.

As an alternative, you can place them in a bowl or feeder, or gently mash them and then mix them in with other foods to make a more complete meal for them.

Again, however you do it, keep one eye on the quantity and the other eye on your cows: any signs of digestive upset, throttle back on the blueberries and other fruit.

Celery

Cows can eat celery on a limited basis and only as a treat. Celery is generally okay for cows but it is not nutritionally complete, can it cause diarrhea if they overeat and it might even upset their rumen.

Celery actually has a surprisingly well-rounded amount of vitamins and minerals that cows need. It does not have much in the way of carbs or protein, but it does have a little bit of fiber.

But things look better when we take a look at the vitamins. Celery contains a great amount of vitamin K and a good assortment of all of the B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, and vitamin B6. It also contains some vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E in roughly equal amounts.

Looking at the minerals we see another good lineup, and although it is not a major source of any dietary mineral that cows need it definitely won’t hurt them and it will contribute to their daily requirements. Celery has calcium, a little bit of copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.

Also worth mentioning is that celery contains a surprising amount of sodium, although it’s nothing to worry about in the diet of your cows unless they’re eating a ton of it elsewhere in their diet.

And, yes, celery does indeed contain a ton of water and is more than 95% water overall. Although this makes raw celery pretty unpalatable for a lot of people, cows won’t mind and they definitely like the stuff. You’ll like how it can help keep them hydrated.

Cilantro

Absolutely. Cilantro is packed with healthy vitamins, minerals, and beneficial antioxidants. Cows can eat it wherever it grows, or you can harvest it and feed it to them. Note that it’s only a supplementary part of their diet, not a mainstay.

Can Cows Eat Clovers?

Yes, definitely. Clover is a common forage item for cows, and they’ll usually eat it right alongside grass wherever they find it growing. It’s an important source of minerals and protein.

Can Cows Eat Dairy?

As adults, no. A cow’s digestive system is only adapted to process milk when they are calves. Once they are adults, no more milk and definitely no cheese, yogurt, sour cream, and so forth.

Cantaloupe

Cows can safely have cantaloupe as long as they get it in moderation and as a treat every now and then. Cantaloupe is healthy and wholesome, and has vitamins and minerals that cows need, but is too sweet to be a regular part of their diet.

Cows should only have cantaloupe twice a week, and for each serving, the cantaloupe should account for no more than 5% of their total food intake for the day.

It doesn’t sound like a lot, and it isn’t considering how much they eat, but there’ll be plenty there for them to enjoy and you won’t have to worry about them getting an upset stomach.

Can Cows Eat Daisies?

Sure. All parts of a daisy are harmless to cows, but I should point out that they are not a great source of nutrition. These are an incidental food only when they are foraging.

Can Cows Eat Dates?

Yes, but rarely and only as a treat. Dates are very sugary, and too much sugar or other carbohydrates can disrupt a cow’s rumen and cause bloat or other major problems.

Can Cows Eat Dog Food?

Definitely not. Dog food is for dogs, not cows, and more importantly, it has lots of animal protein that cows cannot digest. Never give them dog food!

Can Cows Eat Eggplant?

Yes, but only the mature, ripe fruit itself, and no green part of the plant, including the little green crown on the fruit. The green parts of the plant contain solanine which is harmful to cows.

Can Cows Eat Ferns?

No. Some true ferns are safe for cows, but many more are toxic, and many plants which have the word fern in the common name are also toxic. Avoid them as a matter of course!

Can Cows Eat Figs?

Yes, but sparingly and only as an occasional treat. Like many fruits, figs contain too much concentrated sugar to be good for cows on a regular basis.

Can Cows Eat Foxtail?

No way! Foxtail will stick in the mouth or throat of a cow, and if they do manage to swallow it, it can cause impaction. This is a significant hazard; make sure you remove it from all pastures.

Can Cows Eat French Fries?

No! French fries are really fatty, oily, and salty, not to mention starchy, four things that are bound to cause apocalyptic stomach troubles for cows.

Can Cows Eat Garlic?

No. Garlic is an allium genus veggie, like onions. Though it is nutritious, the compounds it has can eventually result in hemolytic anemia in ruminant animals. Some cows don’t seem affected by small amounts, but it’s best to avoid taking a chance.

Can Cows Eat Goat Feed?

Only in small amounts to avoid harm. Goat feed is nutritionally balanced for goats, and may contain too much copper to be good for cows. You don’t need to worry if cows get a few bites, but you should never feed it to them deliberately.

Can Cows Eat Gourds?

Yes, some of them. Pumpkins and squashes are safe for cows to eat in moderation as a nutritious part of a well-rounded diet. They are good sources of various vitamins and fiber.

Can Cows Eat Grape Vines?

Yes, in moderation. Cows really seem to enjoy grape vines and they are nutritious, but like acorns they are also high in tannins which can be toxic. Do not let cows free-eat from grape vines to avoid poisoning.

Can Cows Eat Grass?

Of course, they can! Grass is a staple food for cows, and they eat all kinds and varieties wherever it is growing.

They can eat grass clippings, too, but only if they are fresh and have not been treated with any sorts of herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals. Also, limit quantities to minimize bloat risk.

Green Peppers

Yes, but only ripe fruit and no other part of the plant. Another member of the nightshade family, unripe peppers, and all other parts of the plant contain toxic solanine.

Can Cows Eat Honey?

No, they shouldn’t. Cows can have just a few licks of honey as a very rare treat without harm, but it is intensely sugary and the enzymes it contains can disrupt the microbiome in the rumen.

Can Cows Eat Horse Feed?

Only in small amounts without risking illness. Like goat feed, horse feed is nutritionally optimized for horses. Though it does not contain anything overtly harmful to cows, prolonged ingestion will cause sickness.

Can Cows Eat Ice Cream?

No! Adult cows shouldn’t have dairy products anyway as discussed, but ice cream is overloaded with sugar and fat which will severely upset a cow’s stomach.

Can Cows Eat Ivy?

No, it isn’t a good idea. Some types of ivy are safe for cows, but many more are toxic or prone to causing indigestion. I recommend you avoid feeding or letting your cows eat ivy.

Can Cows Eat Jackfruit?

Yes, in small amounts every once in a while as a treat. Like all fruits, it is too sugary for them to eat regularly.

Can Cows Eat Jalapenos?

No way, Jose! Though nutritious, the intense spiciness of jalapenos will hurt and panic cows, and cause intense indigestion and diarrhea. Don’t do it, not even as a joke!

Can Cows Eat Kale?

Yes, but in limited quantities. Though very nutritious with lots of great vitamins, minerals, and protein, kale is high in oxalic acid which can cause urinary calculi and potentially kidney harm if cows get too much over time.

Can Cows Eat Kelp?

Surprisingly enough, yes! Kelp is a great source of minerals, especially iodine, which is beneficial to cows and also easily digestible as long as they have it in moderation.

Can Cows Eat Kiwi?

Yes, they sure can. This tropical treat is a pleasant surprise for cows, but like all fruits, it is not a major part of their diet. Feed occasionally in small quantities.

Lavender

Yes. This highly aromatic herb is nutritious and cows can eat it wherever they find it growing, or you can harvest it and feed it to them fresh. It is not a major part of their diet, though.

Can Cows Eat Leaves?

Yes, from most plants. Cows seem to enjoy nibbling on Maple leaves, for instance, but they should not eat oak leaves because they can quickly become toxic. This must be assessed on a plant-by-plant basis.

Mango

Cows can eat mangoes but only in strictly limited quantities. Though wholesome and nutritious, mangoes are much too sweet for them to eat all the time and can cause significant digestive upset.

Based on my observations cows will go crazy for the juicy sweetness of mangoes after they try it just one time.

But it is somewhat curious: I’ve noticed that while most cows are eager to try it after they smell it, some seem truly put off by it. But even these reluctant ones will come around after a little taste.

Mango seeds? No. mango skins? Yes!

Although cows can digest mango seeds when they do eat them, and they have beneficial nutrients to offer, cows really don’t seem to like them. More concerning, they are a significant choking hazard.

Cows can eat and digest mango skins with no problem and we’ll get some good fiber content from them. However, it’s still in your best interest to cut up a mango prior to serving: whole mangoes are a massive choking risk for cows.

Can Cows Eat Mint?

Yes! This fresh, bracing herb is safe for cows to eat in smaller quantities when they find it growing fresh. Too much can cause stomach upset, though this is rarely serious. Take care to manage it on your property because it spreads voraciously!

Can Cows Eat Moss?

Yes, they can, but they won’t derive hardly any nutrition from it.

Mushrooms

Only mushrooms that are known to be safe! It is strongly advised that you eliminate all wild mushrooms just in case they are toxic! Even a single poisonous mushroom might kill a cow.

Can Cows Eat Nuts?

Generally not, with few exceptions like acorns. Nuts can be surprisingly challenging for cows to digest, and there’s always a risk of them getting caught in their throat. Again, you are wise to withhold these.

Can Cows Eat Oats?

Yes, definitely! And they love them! Oats are highly nutritious and a wonderful source of protein, minerals, and energy. Just go easy on the quantity because too many grains can cause bloat in cows and other ruminant animals.

Can Cows Eat Onion?

No. Onions, like garlic and other allium genus veggies, contain sulfide compounds which can cause hemolytic anemia and other major problems for cows. Though a contentious one, it’s best to avoid the risk.

Can Cows Eat Orchard Grass?

Definitely. Orchard Grass is another common forage item for cows and a good nutritional source all around that they can easily digest.

Can Cows Eat Peanut Butter?

No! Cows love getting a spoonful of peanut butter every now and then, but it has way too much protein, fat, sugar, and salt. It is bound to cause digestive upset.

Can Cows Eat Pickles?

No way! Cucumbers are safe for cows, but pickles are a salt overload, and the vinegar isn’t going to help anything. Never give your cows pickles.

Pineapple

Cows can eat pineapple safely but only in very limited quantities as a treat. Pineapple has lots of vitamin C and manganese that can benefit cows, but it’s just too sweet for them to have all the time. Excess consumption can cause them problems…

Seriously overdoing the pineapple can result in acidosis and other associated major issues, however.

This occurs when the pH level in a cow’s rumen drops precipitously and causes systemic problems throughout the body, including a loss of coordination, fever-like symptoms, and more.

Can Cows Eat Pine Needles?

No, they shouldn’t. A few pine needles shouldn’t trouble them, but the volatile compounds in pine needles tend to cause various health issues, including abortion or birth defects in pregnant cows.

Can Cows Eat Poison Ivy?

No! Poison ivy is definitely one of those ivy varieties that they should avoid at all costs. The nasty sap in this stuff will cause rashes and internal injury.

Popcorn

Yes, surprisingly enough! Plain, popped popcorn is a safe, fun, and occasional treat for cows. Make sure it has no salt, butter, or other seasonings, and never give them unpopped kernels.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Yes, they can. Queen Anne’s lace is just a wild carrot, and cows will love the nutritious greenery. The raw root will be difficult for them to digest, though.

Peaches

Cows can eat peaches safely but only in limited quantities as a snack or supplement. Peaches are a good source of energy and fairly nutritious, but they’re just too sweet and too juicy for them to have all the time…Y

Dairy cattle can eat peaches with no problems so long as they only get them on a limited basis. However, they make an especially good snack for dairy cows because they won’t taint their milk with any unwanted flavors or aromas.

And, I’m sorry to report, that you won’t get peach milk if you load your dairy girls up with peaches. Nice try!

You do want to skip the seeds, though…

Peach seeds contain amygdalin, a substance that will decompose and turn into hydrogen cyanide gas when digested. That’s bad news for cows, and even though they would need significantly large doses to be seriously affected, it’s best not to risk it.

Some have died after eating fallen peaches from the tree, so definitely be on alert should you have any on the farm within their reach.

Also, peach pits are very hard and a potential choking hazard, so cut them out and get rid of them prior to serving.

Raisins

Yes, but only in very, very limited quantities. Raisins are highly concentrated sources of sugar even though they are natural, and sugar overload will likely cause rumen problems as we have learned.

Raspberries

Yes, they sure can. Raspberries make a great occasional treat for cows, and they can also eat the leaves off of the live plant.

Raw Eggs

No! As we’ve already covered, cows cannot digest animal proteins. Raw eggs certainly fit that category, and worse than that are likely to transmit diseases like salmonella which can potentially be passed off to people. Never, ever give your cows eggs of any kind, raw or not!

Rosemary

Yes, in small amounts as a supplement to their usual diet of forage. However, the intensely aromatic and volatile oils in rosemary that give it its characteristic scent and flavor can give cows an upset stomach if they get too much.

Can Cows Eat Roses?

Yes, but specifically the blooms, buds, hips, and leaves. The stems should be avoided.

Can Cows Eat Squash?

Yes, they can. Various squashes in moderation are a great supplement to a cow’s diet, containing good amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Can Cows Eat Straw?

Yes, but it isn’t very nutritious. It won’t hurt them, but cows will not get much energy or anything else from it like they will from hay.

Strawberries

Cows can eat strawberries safely and get good nutrition from them in the form of vitamin C, fiber, potassium and antioxidants. However, cows should only get strawberries on a limited basis as a treat or supplement a couple of times a week.

Strawberries have a fair bit of carbohydrates in the form of sugars and a little bit of fiber. This can help give cows quick energy. They also contain a surprisingly well-rounded nutritional profile of vitamins and minerals.

Both are significant, and the array of vitamins is especially nice, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate and vitamin B6. Strawberries also have a little bit of choline, vitamin E and vitamin K. But by far the single best vitamin that strawberries have is vitamin C, and they have a tremendous amount of.

And one last warning about giving strawberries, and any other fruit, to cows: you should make it a point to only serve your cows fresh berries that aren’t moldy, rotted or in any other way spoiled.

Can Cows Eat Sunflower Seeds?

Yes, they can, but again in very limited quantities. Sunflower seeds are phenomenally nutritious, but they are concentrated sources of protein and fats. Too many will cause issues for cows.

Can Cows Eat Turnips?

Yes, definitely, though some turnips will be too big for cows to eat easily when whole. Turnips are still a great source of vitamin A and fiber.

9 Things to Never Feed Your Cows

As I said above, not all plant matter is good for cows, including some pretty surprising things that are otherwise healthy veggies to us. Besides that, there are non-plant foods that cows should never get, despite what you see in viral videos.

• ✘ Asparagus – cows can have a little bit occasionally, but large quantities are likely to cause significant digestive upset.
• ✘
  Chocolate – toxic for cows. Contains caffeine and theobromine, can lead to respiratory collapse and other organ failure. The darker the chocolate, the worse it is.
• ✘
  Eggs – cows should not eat any animal protein. At best, cows cannot derive nutrition from eggs. At worst, it will make them very sick and cause problems with their rumen.
• ✘ Meat – again, cows are not carnivores and should not eat any animal protein, including meat of any kind. It’s mostly indigestible and highly likely to cause digestive trouble.
• ✘
  Onions – this is a contentious one, and some cows seem more prone to affliction than others. Consumption of onions and other allium genus plants have been linked with hemolytic anemia in bovines.
• ✘ Potatoes – these are starchy and difficult for cows to digest, but green or sprouting potatoes and any other part of the plant contain solanine and are toxic for them.
• ✘ Tomatoes – ripe tomatoes are okay in moderation; green tomatoes and any other part of the plant contain toxic solanine.
• ✘ Garlic – garlic is an allium genus plant like onions and can cause anemia in cows.

✘
Lemons – just too acidic.

Even a single one can upset the digestive system of a cow and potentially cause diarrhea.

Plus, lemons are notorious for causing cows to choke if they are fed whole. This is easily prevented by shredding or chopping the lemons prior to feeding.

The other major concern is a disruption of the pH balance in the rumen which will start to neutralize the microflora that cows depend on to help them digest plant fiber.

Without these tiny organisms in gear and doing their job, their digestive tract will slow down and become less efficient, and eventually stop. At that point, cows will suffer from something called impaction, or GI stasis.

Basically, they will be starving because they cannot process food normally and this can potentially cause a lethal blockage that will kill them if not corrected. Not good!

Another big issue with giving cows too many lemons, or any other citrus fruits, is that it can loosen their teeth over time.

Very scary, but more of an academic concern rather than a practical one unless you are feeding your cows tons of lemons day in and day out, or multiple times throughout the week for a long period of time.