The biggest trend in the miniature cattle sector is families choosing mini cows as pets. Bringing one of these adorable creatures home requires commitment, yet it also delivers great rewards. To succeed, you must prepare your property and family for this new experience. At Xbar6 Miniature Cattle, we use our years of experience to guide families in handling and caring for these babies safely. Here are the essential considerations you should review before you welcome a miniature cow into your home
What kind of mini cow is best for my family
There are numerous miniature cattle breeds available, far too many to cover in detail here. However, let’s focus on a few of the breeds we raise at Xbar6 Miniature Cattle: Miniature Highlands, Highparks, Belted Galloways, and Mini Herefords. Miniature Those babies that often appear on social media and remain especially popular with families are Highlands and Highparks.
Miniature Highlands showcase long, fluffy coats in beautiful hues of black, red, dun, yellow, silver, white and Brindle.
Highparks display a striking white base with colored points on their ears, muzzle, and lower legs. Because of their Highland lineage, they also inherit those signature fluffy coats.
Belted Galloways, affectionately nicknamed “oreo” or “cookie” cows, stand out with their iconic white belt encircling the middle. While most are black, some also come in red and dun varieties.
Mini Herefords, on the other hand, bring a compact frame paired with a classic red coat and white face. Depending on genetics, they may have horns or be polled.
With the right training, all four breeds become well-socialized and adapt beautifully to family life.
Most importantly, if you want to dive deeper into each breed, check out our Lil Hooves Podcast series, Behind the Breeds, where we break down each breed in detail.
Are mini cows safe as pets:
One of the biggest myths about miniature cattle is that they will stay small cute little calves, in truth they can grow to be anywhere from 300 to 1000 pounds when they’re fully grown! They don’t stay tiny forever!
Since they’re animals, it’s crucial to take the time to learn about and understand their behavior. Finding a trustworthy breeder is key. A good breeder will have already trained your animal before bringing it home and will take the time to talk with you about how to properly care for your mini Highland (or whichever breed you choose).
You can enjoy petting, brushing, grooming, and loving your mini cow, but it’s important to set clear boundaries about what’s okay and what’s not. Remember, something that seems cute when they’re babies could turn into a risky or dangerous behavior when they’re fully grown.
Where will my miniature cow live:
Your miniature cow should be kept outdoors. It is important to provide enough space for them to move around and enjoy themselves. Additionally, make sure to provide a secure fencing and comfortable shelter to protect them from the elements such as wind, rain, snow, and sun. For more information on creating the ideal living environment for your miniature cow, refer to our blog post on facilities. It is worth noting that contrary to common belief, they CANNOT be house trained.
Can I have just one miniature cow:
This is a frequently asked and an excellent question. The simple answer is yes you can have just one little cow. However, they are herd animals and they prefer to have other cows around. So, getting more than one mini cow, or steer will make your mini much happier. They will also feel safer and more secure. It’s similar to sending a child to the playground without any other children to play with. Can they still play? Yes, but it’s definitely more enjoyable when there are other children to play with.
Should I get “a boy or a girl little cow”:
- So…. a “cow” is actually a female bovine. The word “cow” gets misused in reference to all cattle regardless of sex and it is incorrect.
- Getting a male (bull or steer) or female (cow or heifer) is really a personal preference.
- Males that have been castrated (steers) make amazing pets. I always suggest that that families start with a steer. Getting to know and understand cattle is the key element in having a safe environment for both family members and your animal. Steers are amazing teachers and also typically come with a lower price tag.
- Females can also make great pets.
- When getting your first miniature, we highly recommend that you not get a bull. Bulls are for those who have more experience in handling cattle and good containment facilities.
Considering raising babies?
When first starting with any type of miniature cattle it is not recommended to start out breeding. Getting to know and understand cattle is extremely important before breeding them. We know how tempting it is to have one of those adorable little babies born at your home, but it is better left to breeders until you have had a few years of experience with your little fluffy cows.
Only bulls have horns, right?
No, this is not true! It is the breed of cattle that determines whether or not it will have horns, not the sex of the animal. You can learn more about what breeds have or do not have horns in our explanation of breeds blog.