15 Things About Fluffy Cow That Internet Did Not Tell You

Fluffy cows are the new breed of cows that are viral on the internet. Their images and videos are popping up all over the internet, and people want to know about their breed. 

Well, this livestock isn’t of a new breed. They are a known breed but skillfully groomed by specialists who wash, blow-dry & style these highland cattle into fluffiness. But the internet has probably not told you all about them. 

So we are sharing some facts about these lovely fluffy cows that are still unknown.

1. What exactly is #fluffycow?

Source = The Atlantic

It’s a cow or a bull (may even be a calf) that has been primped and pampered into fluffiness. Most of the time, it’s delightful, but sometimes, it may even turn out to be a little terrifying.

2. They are no special breeds but are given special attention

Source= “Phil Lautner”

They do not belong to some different breed of cow cum teddy bear. Thanks to the power of products used on them, which makes them look so. 

Many of them are purebred breeds like the recognizable Angus, but many are crossbred between two or more breeds. 

3. How do they get so fluffy?

Source = Lautner Farms

Like other successful beauty routines, they need to be maintained daily. It takes months of daily care (or twice daily care) and sometimes even more than that. Washing, combing, clipping, blow dry, hair spray, and whatnot is done to cut, style & fluff up their hair and make them look prim & proper. Special products have been designed for cattle styling.

4. How did the meme start?

Source = Pinimg

It started with Lautner Farms in Iowa that regularly participates in stock shows. One of Lautner’s entrants in the fluffed up show was posted on Reddit (thread: "Check out these fluffy ass cows!"). It reached out to wider audiences, and the #fluffycow meme began trending on Twitter.

5. It takes two or more hours to style them

Source= “Associated Press”

Cow styling is as difficult as human styling; in fact, even more tiresome. It takes around two hours to style them. Special hairsprays and conditioners are used to keep their fuzz in place and also special oils to make their coats shine and give a fluffy appearance that’s more apparent in cows.

6. Countless tools for cattle grooming

Source = Pressherald

There are countless tools used in the cattle grooming trade. This includes seven different combs. Shampoos, conditioners, and adhesives are used in abundance, including special ones for the tail. Six different shades of paints, oil dyes, hair builders, hair polish, sunscreen, and removal products are used to get all the stuff off their hair. 

For removing excess water from the coat, a special squeegee is used. ‘Roto Fluffers’ is used for removing guard hairs. To maintain the constant flow of animal fur: turbofans are used. They are also kept under fans or in ACs to keep them cool and help them relax.

Tony Bruguiere also said,

"There is even a special neoprene neck wrap that is used in combination with a sweating lotion to make the neck skin tighter on females and give them a more 'feminine' look while bulls are groomed to look 'heavy-boned' and 'masculine.'"

7. Cattle shows and breed associations have encouraged cattle maintenance

Source = Pinimg

The intricate beauty routine of fluffy cows is only for seeking the judges’ attention. They conduct an overall evaluation of animals. It not only includes the presentation of their hair but the carcass quality and breeding traits also.

8. Ranchers were not happy with #fluffycows stuff

Source = Lautner Farms

The whole scenario led to a strong debate in the cattle-raising industry. Fluffy cows brought publicity to the cattle industry, but some did not seem interested in the proximity of ‘beef’ and ‘adorable.’ Not everyone from the beef industry was happy to gain the media attention.

9. Even they have bad hair days

Source = Lautner Farms

It’s not necessary that all their grooming and styling makes them look good. It can be the opposite sometimes. It may be that some products might not suit them, or they might need even stronger products to work on their hair.

10. They are good with children

Source = IDEAHACK

The stock suggests that kids are promoting fluffy cows. A young kid Ashtyn Danker is reminding people that they are food animals and not teddy bears. She and thousands of other kids like her are expressing their passion for cattle and its relation to the beef industry. She loves to work hard on the calves by grooming them, growing their hair, and going into the cattle shows & events. She hopes to become a veterinarian or livestock chiropractor.  

11. And yes, fluffy cows remind me of something

Source = Highland-rinder

The Emo Cows - a meme from the early 2000s!

12. They are not pets but livestock animals that are cute

The fluffy cows are considered beef animals. They’re cute but not pets. They’re providing nourishment to people with steaks and burgers and feeding families by offering nutrients like protein, iron & zinc. A top priority among ranchers, they give great-tasting beef as a result of tender loving care and other beef byproducts like insulin for diabetics, makeup, and deodorants.

13. These Fluffy Cows are a Result of Hardworking Families

The USDA claims that the families own and operate 98% of the farms and ranches. These families not only work hard on their ranches to take care of the cattle but also work jointly to make fluffy cows ready for 4-H and FFA shows. These projects introduce kids to the farm and cattle and teach them the value of hard work at a very tender age. Also, they are not allowed to participate in shows when they turn two years old as they become too old for it. 

14. They are Also Called Hairy Cows

Due to their thick coats, many people also call them hairy cows. 

15. The Original Fluffy Cow is from Lautner Farms in Adel

Yes! The owner of Lautner Farms in Adel (Iowa), Phil Lautner, has expertise in genetics for club calves that the 4-H kids raise and groom for showing purposes at the county fairs. It was a cross-bred bull named “Texas Tornado” that was photographed at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The name “fluffy cow” was not derived from Lautner Farms. As the cow is female & the bull is male, so Texas Tornado is not even a cow technically.    

Aren’t these fluffy cows cute? Well, they surely are! Also, tell us- what do you think of them as a pet?