An Udderly Adorable Business

Life is stressful. And if meditation apps and gym sessions aren’t doing the trick, there’s a softer, cuddlier option gaining fans: cow cuddling.

The cozy wellness experience is popping up at a growing number of dairy farms across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. Cow cuddling is the latest agritourism craze, following in the hoofprints of equine therapy and goat yoga—praised for its calming effects. Cows’ warm bodies and slow, steady heartbeats are thought to help trigger oxytocin, the feel-good bonding hormone.

Some farmers even train their cows to sit or lean into visitors, who can brush, pet, feed, and cuddle the animals during timed sessions. Prices typically range from about $20 to well over $100, depending on the farm and experience.

The idea isn’t brand new. Cow cuddling began in the Netherlands in the early 2000s and spread globally during the pandemic, when many people were craving connection and comfort.

Lately, it’s also become a financial lifeline for dairy farmers. With milk prices under pressure, these experiences offer a valuable new revenue stream, according to The Washington Post.

Demand is surging. Many farms are booked months in advance. Hickory Hearth Highlands in Pennsylvania, which offers $55 hour-long sessions via Airbnb Experiences, told Axios that bookings jumped from about 500 in 2022 to more than 2,500 in 2024, drawing visitors from across the U.S. and abroad.

If I cuddled a Cow, I’d never eat meat again!

Lana Backman