Pint-sized Punganur cows gain popularity as unusual urban pets

If you love pets but find dogs or cats too conventional, an unlikely contender might surprise you, the Punganur cow. Despite sounding unsuitable for city lifestyles, this miniature breed from South India is grabbing attention for its adaptability, gentle nature, and petite size.

Standing just 2 to 3 feet tall, the Punganur cow is one of the smallest cattle breeds in the world. At a cow shelter in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, caretakers say its manageable size makes it an appealing option even for those living in smaller homes.

Rajendra Atal, President of Prakriti Kunj says, “This is Punganur cow, and it is famous around the world. In South India, this cow is worshipped. In Tirupati temple and other temples, when dugdha abhishek (milk offering) is done, it is done with the milk of this cow. This cow never grows bigger than 2 to 2.5 or 3 feet. Some cows are even smaller than that in size. This cow is 2 feet in height..”

Easy to maintain, even in small spaces

What makes the Punganur cow even more attractive is its low-maintenance lifestyle. According to the shelter staff, the cow thrives on simple homemade food. If fodder is scarce, it can be fed roti, household leftovers, and even fruit and vegetable peels. Its docile temperament also makes it safe around both adults and children.

Rajendra Atal further said that, “Its unique characteristics are that it is a simple, friendly and innocent animal. It is playful – with both children and adults. It doesn't become aggressive. People are fond of keeping dogs and many keep dogs as pets in their homes. Similarly, there are people in the country who want to raise cows, but in modern lifestyles they aren't able to, because it requires space, fodder becomes difficult to get, and facilities to remove cow dung are also difficult. With this cow, there are no such problems..”

A tiny cow wth a large price tag

However, their charm, comes with a handsome price. A Punganur cow can cost anywhere between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh, with the smallest ones fetching the highest price tag.

Whether or not you choose to bring one home, these miniature cows are undeniably adorable and hard to resist. For a closer look, you can visit the cow shelter located on the Delhi–Saharanpur highway, a perfect spot to meet these gentle little creatures in person.