A 13-year-old [1] pet cow in Austria has been observed using various objects as tools to scratch herself.

This behavior marks the first documented case of flexible, multi-purpose tool use in cattle [2]. The discovery suggests that bovine intelligence and problem-solving capabilities may be more complex than previously understood by the scientific community [3].

The cow, named Veronika [4], lives in the Alpine village of Nötsch im Gailtal in southern Austria [5]. She is owned by Witgar, an organic farmer who first noticed the behavior about a decade ago [6].

Veronika does not rely on a single object to relieve her itches. Instead, she employs a variety of implements, including sticks, rakes, and brooms [3]. This ability to switch between different types of tools to achieve the same goal is what researchers identify as flexible tool use [2].

While animals in other species have been known to use tools, such evidence in cattle is rare. The observation of Veronika's habits highlights the potential for individual animals to develop innovative behaviors based on their environment [3].

Recent video documentation from 2024 and 2025 has allowed researchers to further analyze these interactions [6]. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that cattle lack the cognitive flexibility required for multi-purpose tool application [2].

“The first documented case of flexible, multi‑purpose tool use in cattle.”

This observation shifts the understanding of cattle cognition from simple instinct to a capacity for flexible problem-solving. By utilizing different objects like rakes and brooms to achieve a specific goal, the animal demonstrates a level of mental plasticity previously associated with higher-order mammals, potentially prompting a reevaluation of livestock intelligence.