February 24, 2026, 5:11 am | Read time: 3 minutes
A weak sphincter causing cows to sink in water? That’s what a much-cited story once claimed—and it sparked plenty of conversation. But can cows really not swim? PETBOOK investigates and comes to a surprising conclusion.
Can Cows Swim?
The answer is clear: Yes, cows can swim. Cows are actually quite adept swimmers—not Olympic level, but if there’s a river or lake nearby, it’s a popular way for cows to cool off in the summer.
However, cows don’t swim for fun: Especially in high temperatures, cows actively seek out such cooling opportunities. Through their well-vascularized hooves, they can release excess body heat in the water. At the same time, short trips to the lake or river give them some distance from pesky flies. Still, swimming is not a necessity for their well-being but one of several strategies to cope with heat—alongside shade and wind.1
Where Did the Rumor That Cows Can’t Swim Come From?
Behind the myth is a story that not only sparked a discussion that even made it onto TV shows but also led to many private conversations revolving around cows’ behinds. Under the title “German Cows Go Under,” the “taz” published an article on June 11, 2001, about a Humboldt University study that was to generate far-reaching headlines. The project leader told the “taz” that “the cows’ sphincter is so weak that the animals, once they trotted into the water, filled up with water from behind and therefore sank.”2
Even if people at the time quickly worried about the cows in Germany, attentive readers soon realized that a small detail turned the case around. The article was published in the magazine’s “The Truth” section. But quite the opposite is true: This category is the satire and humor section of the newspaper. Nevertheless, this question continues to confuse, surprise, and fascinate young and old alike.3
How Cows Swim
The good news first: No one needs to worry about the sphincters of German cows. Anatomically, there’s no reason to panic—quite the opposite. Like other mammals, cows have everything they need to swim. If a cow gets into the water, it instinctively starts with calm, paddling movements of its legs. Swimming lessons are therefore unnecessary. Like most mammals, cows also have sufficient lung volume, which gives them additional natural buoyancy.4
If a cow can swim, can it also dive? True to the saying “A good horse doesn’t jump higher than it has to,” cows can briefly dive if necessary. However, they are not long-distance divers.
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Miles Through Water: Cows Defy Hurricane
When Hurricane Dorian hit the coast of North Carolina in September 2019, a storm surge up to 8 feet high swept many animals into the sea—many did not survive. But three cows wrote an astonishing survival story. About a month later, rangers discovered a cow on the barrier island of North Core Banks—calmly grazing. Shortly thereafter, two more animals were spotted.
To get there, the cows must have swum an estimated six to seven kilometers through open water. The storm surge likely carried them out, and they then swam toward the islands. Had they drifted further into the open sea, their story might have ended differently.5,6
Not Just Moo, but Also Ahoy
Whether it’s “cow tipping” or weak sphincters, many persistent myths surround cows. It turns out cows can indeed swim, and quite enduringly at that. And they’re not alone: Horses are also good swimmers and can easily cross rivers or lakes when needed. The myth of the sinking pasture animal is thus finally relegated to the realm of myths.