Do cows feel pain when you milk them?

Healthy cows do not feel pain when being milked on a routine basis. A cow's udder is designed by nature to stand up to a newborn calf's vigorous suckling and, by extension, to a human or machine milking. However, if left untreated, certain illnesses can cause pain during the milking process.

Do cows hurt if you don't milk them?

What happens if a cow isn't milked? If you don't milk a lactating cow, milk will build up in her udders. This can lead to discomfort, bruising, and udder injury, potentially including mastitis or udder rupture and infection. However, if the cow's calf is allowed to nurse, then milking is not typically required.