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Why do cows chew cud and belch, unlike my dog or cat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

What is rumination and eructation? What are their function in bovine digestion?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on October 7th, 2017

A bovid's stomach is quite different from the simple stomach of dogs and cats (and humans). There are 4 compartments, and each have their own purpose. Rumination is also called "chewing the cud". This is where larger particles from the rumen are brought back up to be further decreased in size. Eructation is the way of removing excess gas (aka belching). Here is some good information on how the rumen works: http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/rumination.html http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/rumen_anat.html

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