What Do Cows Eat? 29 Foods They Absolutely Can (plus Printable PDF Checklists)

A cow’s diet a crucial factor in their health and productivity, whether you are raising cows for meat or for milk. And cows are herbivores, which means they primarily pretty much solely on plants, and that means that feeding them the right plants, in the right amounts, is going to be essential if you want them to thrive.

But what else do cows eat exactly? Grass, of course. And most know they eat plenty of hay also. You should know that cows can consume various other foods and sometimes they can be quite picky eaters.

In this article, I’ll tell you all about some of the foods that cows can eat and how they benefit from them.

What Should Be in a Cow’s Diet?

A cow’s diet should consist of a variety of plant-based foods that provide essential nutrients and minerals.

Roughage, such as hay and silage, should make up the bulk of a cow’s diet, providing fiber for digestion and energy for normal bodily functions.

Processed feeds, such as grains and protein sources, can supplement the roughage and provide additional protein, energy, and vitamins. Here’s a breakdown of the main things they typically eat, before we delve down into each food and some of the treats they will enjoy:

Food Group	Examples	Key Nutrients	Why These Foods Benefit Cows
Forage & Roughage (Diet Foundation)	Grass, pasture, hay, alfalfa	Fiber, carbohydrates, protein, calcium	These are the bulk of a cow’s diet. Fiber feeds rumen microbes, supports digestion, and provides the primary source of energy through fermentation.
Fermented Feeds	Silage	Fiber	Fermentation increases nutrient availability, making these feeds ideal for supporting growth, weight gain, and milk production.
Grains	Corn, barley, oats, grain mixes	Starch, carbs	Provide a concentrated form of energy for higher milk output when forage alone isn’t enough.
Protein-Rich Feeds	Soybeans, peas, commercial feed	Protein	Essential for muscle development, and milk protein synthesis
Leafy Greens & Vegetables	Kale, spinach, celery, parsley	Vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber	Support immune health, bone strength, and digestive function while adding nutritional variety.
Root Vegetables	Carrots, beets, radishes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes	Fiber, vitamin A, carbohydrates, potassium	Aid digestion, provide slow-release energy, and support vision, and immune health
Fruits & Treat Foods	Apples, bananas, blueberries, watermelon	Natural sugars, fiber, antioxidants, water	Best used as occasional treats; provide quick energy, and hydration without replacing forage.
Milk	Milk (for calves)	Protein, fat	Critical for calf growth, immune system development, and early digestive health.
Minerals & Supplements	Salt licks, mineral blocks	Sodium, calcium, magnesium, trace minerals	Prevent deficiencies and support nerve function, bone health, etc.

You can save the two lists of what they can and can’t eat as a PDF on your computer. Just click this link.

How Do Beef and Dairy Cows’ Diets Differ?

Beef and dairy cows’ diets differ in a few key ways. Beef cows are typically raised for meat and have a diet that is focused on putting on weight quickly.

Their diet often consists of high-energy feeds such as corn, soybeans, and barley, along with hay and grass.

Dairy cows, on the other hand, are raised for their milk production and have different nutritional requirements.

Their diet often includes more fiber-rich feeds such as alfalfa and grass hay, as well as some grains to provide energy.

Dairy cows also require additional minerals and vitamins to support milk production, including calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D.

What Do Cows Eat Naturally?

Cows naturally eat a variety of grasses, plants, and shrubs, as well as flowers and herbs. In the wild, cows would graze on grasslands and other natural areas to obtain the necessary foods supplying nutrients and minerals for their diet.

What Do Baby Calves Eat?

Baby calves primarily feed on their mother’s milk for the first several months of their life. Cow’s milk is high in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients that are necessary for the growth and development of young calves.

As they grow older, they may also start to consume small hay and grass to supplement their diet of milk until eventually they are eating all the same things, in the same quantities, as an adult cow.

The Kinds of Treats They Can Have

Cows can have a variety of treats as long as they are fed in moderation and do not interfere with their regular diet.

Fruits such as apples, bananas, and watermelons are favorites of cows and can give some additional vitamins and fiber…. but the issue with them is the sugar content, which may cause diarrhea.

Veggies such as carrots and sweet potatoes are also popular treats for cows, as they are high in nutrients like beta-carotene and potassium.

Besides fruits and vegetables, some folks will also give them supplements such as molasses or grain mixes. But, it’s important to be cautious when giving cows treats, as overfeeding can lead to weight gain and other health problems.

Any sudden or excessive introduction of food can disrupt a cow’s rumen or cause bloat, potentially with fatal consequences!

28 Foods Cows Can Absolutely Eat

1. Pasture and Grass

Pasture and grass are the most natural sources of food for cows, and the one you have probably seen them munching on the most when out in a field.

Both pasture and grass are packed full of vital nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, protein, and most of all, fiber.

But as you might have guessed, cows have to eat a ton of grass daily if they are going to get enough calories and nutrients from it, so ensuring they have access to lush, safe pasturage is a must.

Easier said than done, and it’s a great reason why so many farmers rely on other, more convenient food to keep their herds fed: if cows accidentally ingest harmful or dangerous plants growing in the pasture, you are going to have problems.

2. Hay

Hay is the second most important food for cows, and one that provides them more energy than just grazing on pastures and grass alone. It also helps to fill in any gaps that their diet might have, particularly in the winter when they’re stuck in the stall all day…

Hay can come in various forms such as alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass hay and bermuda grass hay. Each has its own nutrients that helps to keep them healthy, though alfalfa hay is often considered the best as it is packed with calcium and protein, though it must be fed cautiously since it can lead to bloat and other digestive issues for cows.

3. Silage

Silage is a nutritious and easily digestible type of fermented feed for cows that farmers often rely on to keep their cattle healthy and productive. This is essentially fermented grass or other crops that have been stored in a silo or other airtight container.

The process of making silage involves chopping up the forage into small pieces, packing it tightly into a silo, and covering it with plastic or other airtight material to create an anaerobic environment.

By fermenting the fodder, the nutrients become more readily available to the cows, which helps to increase their feed intake and promote healthy digestion.

Silage also tends to have higher energy content than fresh forage, which can be particularly beneficial for dairy cows that need to produce large amounts of milk.

In addition to the nutritional benefits, silage is also a convenient and cost-effective feed option for farmers. You can store it for months without spoiling, which means that farmers can stockpile large amounts of feed to see their cattle through the winter months.

And because silage is made from crops that are often grown on the farm, it can be a more affordable option than purchasing other types of feed.

4. Grains

Grains are another excellent source of protein and other nutrients for cows, and they are often used as supplemental feed when they aren’t getting enough nutrients from pasture or hay.

Grains such as corn and barley provide cows with energy-dense food, but grains are not without issues.

For starters, grains can be very high in carbohydrates which can lead to digestive issues and gut health problems for cows. They also tend to be bulkier and harder to digest than grass or hay, so cows who are fed a diet that is too rich in grains may not get enough roughage in their diet.

Finally, because of the tendency for cows to overeat grains, farmers must be careful to ensure that their animals are not getting too much of this type of feed.

But so long as grains are started, incorporated and fed to cows with an eye on the quantity and dietary balance they are a fine addition to a cow’s diet.

5. Processed Feed

Processed feed for cows is basically factory-produced food made just for them. Think dog- or cat food, same kind of thing.

Processed feed is typically made up of a mix of grains, protein sources, and other ingredients that are mixed together to create a nutritionally balanced diet for cows.

One of the main advantages of processed feed is that it allows farmers to have way more control over the nutrients that their cows are consuming.

By carefully selecting and sometimes mixing the feed(s), farmers can ensure that their cows are getting the appropriate levels of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients that they need to thrive, specially tailored to objectives and to the stage of growth and needs of their herd.

Another major logistical benefit of processed feed is that it tends to be far more consistent in terms of quality than other types of cow food, such as forage or hay.

Since it is also easy to portion by weight or by volume, precise calorie and nutritional targets are easy to meet, making your job a lot easier.

Processed feed can also be stored in large quantities and is less prone to spoilage than most fresh foods.

6-26. Fruits and Vegetables

Cows are herbivores as we’ve discussed, but that doesn’t mean they can have just anything that is plant matter. They can eat a lot, for sure, but not all things. Nightshades and azaleas are definite no/nos for cattle.

On this subject, fruits and vegetables can provide cows with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, but they are not something they need too much of…

Whether it is due to nutritional imbalance or some other potential side effects, fruits and veggies are better off as treats and supplements to a cow’s usual diet of the things above. Fruit in particular tends to be way too sugary for regular / daily consumption.

Nonetheless, there are all kinds of fruits and veggies that cows can eat in moderation, such as: 

Apples: a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber, and antioxidants, apples are a popular treat.

A word of advice, though: be sure to remove the seeds prior to feeding. Practically speaking they can eat the seeds, but you don’t want them to do that… Apple seeds contain a compound that turns into cyanide hydrogen gas when digested.

Obviously, that’s some seriously toxic stuff! But the seeds contain so very little, and cows are so big it’s highly unlikely to cause them any harm (unless they are getting tons and tons of). You should still do it, though.

Bananas: a good source of potassium and fiber, bananas are a sweet treat that cows enjoy.

If you aren’t going to peel bananas before giving them to cows, I still recommend that you snip off that hard part of the stem and then rinse the peels to remove any insecticide assuming you didn’t buy organic bananas or grow them yourself.

If you want to remove the peel, simply peel and give the bananas to your cows one by one. They won’t struggle to eat them so you don’t need to cut them up.

Nevertheless, you should never, ever give your cows any dessert that’s made with bananas. Banana splits, banana ice cream, banana pudding – none of that stuff.

Beets: beets have lots of iron, and beets can help boost a cow’s immune system and improve their overall health.

Blueberries: high in antioxidants and fiber, blueberries are a tasty and nutritious treat for cows.

I can tell you right now that blueberries are a great treat for your herd, but that’s all they should ever be: a treat. Though very healthy, these are just too sweet for cattle to eat all the time. Allow them to overindulge and they’ll suffer from indigestion or even bloat! Neither of those are good outcomes.

As for how to feed them, raw blueberries are ideal. They’re obviously easy for them to eat, and when raw they will have the most nutrients.

Cooked blueberries are safe, but they are a big waste of time for cows. Cooking them won’t make them any easier to eat, but it will have the negative side effect of greatly reducing the vitamin and mineral content.

Broccoli: a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber and calcium, broccoli can help improve cow health. High in oxalates, feed sparingly.

Cabbage: cabbage has tons of vitamin C and fiber, cabbage can help improve a cow’s digestion.

Carrots: rich in beta-carotene, which cows convert to vitamin A, carrots are a nutritious addition to a cow’s diet.

Serving raw carrots to cows is generally the best way. As long as they are cut up into manageable pieces, cows won’t struggle to chew them up and swallow them – and raw carrots also have the best possible nutritional profile, anyway.

On the other hand, carrots that are very fresh also tend to have concentrated sugars which can potentially give your cows diarrhea, and that’s no good. Letting your carrots age for at least a week, maybe two, will let some of the fermented sugar levels to drop which will make them easier to digest for your cattle.

Celery: Celery is definitely wholesome, and it even has some vitamins and minerals that cows need contrary to the popular opinion of it being a completely nutritionless veggie. Cows generally like it, and it is both crispy and hydrating making it an interesting way to shake up their diet a little bit.

Cows can eat the stalks and leafy celery greens with no problem. Raw celery also has the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals that can benefit your cows.

Cooked is also fine, but believe me when I tell you there is no good reason and nothing to be gained from cooking celery prior to giving it to them. Cooking celery is only going to make it limp and mushy, and it will deplete vitamins and minerals alike, robbing it of most of the benefits and robbing your cows of most of the pleasure that they will get from eating a crisp stalk of celery.

Field Corn: another good source of protein and energy, corn is a popular feed for cows.

Kale: very high in vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and iron, kale is another nutritious option for cows. High in oxalates, feed sparingly.

Parsley: not just a garnish, parsley is high in vitamins A and C, parsley can also act as a natural dewormer for cows.

Peaches: All peaches should have their pits removed prior to serving to cows. This will greatly reduce instances of choking and also eliminate any risk of harm from the amygdalin that they can contain.

Once you’ve done that, you can cut peaches in half and serve as-is, or smash them if you want to mix them in with other food.

Peas: have lots of protein and fiber, peas are a great way to add variety to a cow’s diet.

Pineapple: dairy cows can eat pineapple occasionally as a snack. They’ll love it as much as any other, and the good news is that pineapple won’t taint their milk with any unwanted flavor or odor unlike many vegetables and a few other fruits.

But be cautious: pineapple consumption is associated with reduced performance in dairy cows, so you want to give it to them even less often than you would normally if they are in milk.

Pumpkins: high in fiber and vitamin A, pumpkins can also serve as a natural dewormer for cows. Cut into chunks before serving.

Radishes: rich in fiber and vitamin C, radishes can also help improve a cow’s digestion.

Soybeans: soybeans are packed with protein and amino acids, and are a common ingredient in commercial cow feed.

Spinach: is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron and other minerals, spinach can improve overall cow health. High in oxalates, feed sparingly.

Squash: another good source of vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants, squash can help improve a cow’s overall health.

Sweet corn: a less common feed for cows, sweet corn is high in energy and more palatable for some animals than field corn.

Sweet potatoes: a good source of all kinds of vitamins, as well as potassium and fiber, sweet potatoes are a favorite of some cows. Quite dense, so cut up into small pieces or lightly cook prior to serving.

Strawberries: Strawberries are a great little treat, but something that should be fed to cows on a limited basis; let’s say a small quantity once or maybe twice a week.

Tomatoes: loaded with vitamins and lycopene, as well as antioxidants, tomatoes can help improve a cow’s immune system. Acidic and juicy, a few will do!

Turnips: high in calcium and vitamins, turnips can be a nutritious addition to a cow’s diet.

Watermelons: a great source of hydration during hot weather, watermelons also provide some energy and minerals to cows.

27. Milk (for Calves Only)

Milk is particularly important for calves during the first several months of life. Cow milk is rich in nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, which are essential for the development in much the same way that it is for human babies: Milk helps to support healthy bones, proper growth, and a strong immune system.

On the other hand, adult cows typically don’t need to consume milk as a regular part of their diet. Adults have different nutritional needs, and their diet should focus on sources of fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients such as hay, silage, and processed feeds.

28. Salt Blocks

Not so much a food, necessarily, but still an important part of a cow’s diet. Salt licks are not just blocks of salt, but rather a composite of mineral supplements that cattle can lick at will.

Salt licks provide cows with important minerals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium (plus a few other trace minerals) that may be lacking in their regular feed.

Cattle need a certain amount of salt in their diet to maintain their overall health and to regulate water absorption in their own bodies, and are often unable to get the necessary amount from their regular feed alone, especially when free-ranged.

These will help your cows meet their sodium requirements, particularly during hot weather or strenuous activity. This should be limited on a cow’s menu, but is nevertheless important.

29. Red Seaweed

This type of seaweed shows promising results in reducing the amount of methane these ruminants release. And the reduction is between 50% and 80%.

Which Foods Should They Avoid?

I could make this list a lot longer, but here are a few common foods never to feed your cattle:

• ❌ meat
• ❌ onions
• ❌ azaleas
• ❌ chocolate
• ❌ citrus peels
• ❌ peach or avocado pits
• ❌ potatoes and other nightshades

Frequently Asked Questions