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Home > Milk Means More Blog > How Many Stomachs Does A Cow Have?

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07/25/2017

How Many Stomachs Does A Cow Have?

Milk Means More  |  31 Comments  |  Dairy Farming

Many people who’ve never been near a dairy farm have heard that cows have four stomachs. One of the most common questions dairy farmers are asked is “How many stomachs does a cow have?”

So, do cows really have four stomachs?

YES AND NO

Cows technically only have one stomach, but it has four distinct compartments made up of Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum and Abomasum. It is very different than a human stomach. That’s why people often say that cows have four stomachs.

Parts of a cow’s stomach:
  • Rumen – This is the first part of the cow’s stomach. It helps break down complex plant products like grass.
  • Reticulum – Here the food mixes with the cow’s saliva and produces cud. Cows burp up the cud into their mouths and chew it to help break it down more. When you see a cow that looks like she is chomping on bubble gum, really she is chewing her cud.
  • Omasum – Here all the water is absorbed out of the food.
  • Abomasum – Here is where the food is finally digested, similar to what happens in a human stomach.
https://www.milkmeansmore.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Cow-Stomach-GIF_3.mp4

 

What exactly is it that goes into  cows’ stomachs?

Cows are fed a mix of corn silage, hay silage, grain (corn), distillers grains, and soy bean meal. On our farm, we grow the corn, wheat and hay that goes into our cows’ feed.

Have you ever wondered how milk is produced? Or how long it takes for milk to get from farm to table? Take a Virtual Farm Tour of a Michigan Dairy Farm!

Milk Means More
About the author

The professional team from Milk Means More created this information for your learning pleasure. Dietitians, farmers, teachers, writers, designers - all work together to bring you up-to-date dairy information!

Comments (31)
  • jarrett says:
    May 8, 2015

    that is realy cool

    Reply
  • Kasey says:
    Aug 5, 2015

    Hello,
    This was very interesting and helpful. To be perfectly honest I looked up this question because I was watching a game show a the this was an answer, I knew it wasn’t one but I thought it was three. It was interesting to find out why the cows have four different compartments. Thank you for this information blog 😀

    Reply
  • Lawson McCoy says:
    Apr 18, 2016

    Thank you for the info! Very interesting

    Reply
  • The LaViolettes says:
    Apr 25, 2016

    Thank you for the information! We were trying to figure out how a cows digestive system works!

    Reply
  • susan says:
    May 3, 2017

    Really?

    Reply
  • Fabian says:
    Sep 13, 2017

    Thanks for the clear explanation. I guess you could say it’s easily digested.

    Reply
  • Geen Rao says:
    Jan 30, 2018

    excellent explanation thanks

    Reply
  • Geen Rao says:
    Jan 30, 2018

    excellent explanation

    Reply
  • GNRAO says:
    May 15, 2018

    Many many thanks to those who breed cows and take good care of them.

    Reply
  • Krang101 says:
    Jun 5, 2018

    So…do they have four stomachs or not?

    Reply
  • Marissa V. Gaspar says:
    Sep 11, 2018

    Thank you for the information my students were amazed with the special abilities of the cow’s stomach. Another wonders of God Jehovah’s creation. Again thank you and God bless.

    Reply
  • rajeev says:
    Sep 20, 2018

    Good Short Article and focused on what the title says. Keep writing!

    Reply
  • Mr Mootivator says:
    Oct 7, 2018

    Cud not have been easier to play udderstand.

    Reply
  • Louise Todd says:
    Nov 11, 2018

    No,they don’t have four stomachs.They have one stomach comprising four different compartments!

    Reply
    • ANI says:
      Oct 2, 2021

      yes

      Reply
  • Muran Buchstansiger says:
    Jan 3, 2019

    You have four stomachs

    Reply
  • Mia L says:
    Feb 13, 2019

    this is interesting!!

    Reply
  • Mia L says:
    Feb 13, 2019

    no, humans only have one stomach, but is connected to the small intestine and large intestine.

    Reply
  • Jan Zidek says:
    Feb 2, 2020

    Oh yes, the wonders of the creation of the Flying Spaghetti Monster are beyond our imagination! What He toucheth with His Holy Noodly Appendage, becomes miraculous!

    Reply
  • Walter Powell says:
    Mar 10, 2020

    I must be part cow! When I finally finished dinner, I always have room for Dessert! Now I know why, I’m part cow. It goes into my other stomach!! MOO-MOO EVERYBODY’!!

    Reply
  • Robert says:
    Jun 15, 2020

    What about the bulls?

    Reply
  • Sushil Pardeshi says:
    Jun 30, 2020

    Does buffalbo or any other animal has similar stomuch?

    Reply
  • Usama says:
    Aug 6, 2020

    It also helped me .. someone told me that a cow has four stomach but i was not sure..so this helped me .thank u so much

    Reply
  • Brentmeister general says:
    Aug 25, 2020

    Pound for pound, there’s more sugar in a lemon than a strawberry

    Reply
  • Big Man says:
    Aug 28, 2020

    They said that in the article

    Reply
  • guineaglitter says:
    Oct 5, 2020

    thanks i needed to do reserch for school

    Reply
  • Chilini says:
    Oct 12, 2021

    I think its gross how one of the Steps for eating is THROWING UP
    But the good part is were not Cows

    Reply
  • sharsh says:
    Oct 13, 2021

    Thanks really needed this research for school! And I needed accurate information because it is mandatory for everybody to write on the same topic! This was very greatly appreciated, thank you!

    Reply
  • Obagail says:
    Oct 13, 2021

    This is great information thanks!

    Reply
    • sharsh says:
      Oct 13, 2021

      ya your right it really is!

      Reply
  • Booker says:
    Apr 24, 2022

    Omg stomachs have four cows???? Thank you so much love you

    Reply

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