Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Effect of Water Scarcity on Livestock Productivity and Health

Omar Khalid^* Department of Veterinary Sciences, Southridge University, Nairobi, Kenya
^*Correspondence: Omar Khalid, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Southridge University, Nairobi, Kenya, Email:

Received: 26-May-2025, Manuscript No. GJHABS-25-29936; Editor assigned: 28-May-2025, Pre QC No. GJHABS-25-29936 (PQ); Reviewed: 11-Jun-2025, QC No. GJHABS-25-29936; Revised: 18-Jun-2025, Manuscript No. GJHABS-25-29936 (R); Published: 25-Jun-2025, DOI: 10.35248/2319-5584.25.14.256

Description

Livestock production contributes significantly to global food systems, income generation, and livelihoods, especially among rural communities. However, water scarcity imposes stress on animals that impairs growth, reproduction, immune function, and overall productivity. Understanding how reduced water availability affects livestock health and finding management strategies to reduce negative outcomes is essential for communities facing semiarid or drought prone conditions. 

When water intake declines, physiological stress arises. Body temperature regulation becomes harder; thermoregulation requires increased respiration, sweating (in species that sweat), or panting. These require more energy, so feed conversion efficiency drops. Animals may eat less because digestion demands water, but lack of water causes reduced feed intake, slower growth, and delayed maturation. Reproductive output suffers: males may produce fewer viable sperm, females may have improper estrus cycles, lower conception rates, or even foetal loss under severe dehydration. In neonatal or young animals, survival rates decline sharply if maternal hydration is inadequate during gestation or if water deprivation occurs early in life.

Immune system functioning is undermined under water limitation. Dehydrated animals show elevated levels of stress hormones such as cortisol which suppress immune responses. Antigen recognition, antibody production, and other defence mechanisms may weaken, leaving livestock susceptible to infections and parasitic infestations. Especially in hot environments, water scarcity often occurs with heat stress, compounding the challenge. Heat stress alone causes oxidative damage, reduced feed intake, and lowered immune responses; combined with water stress, effects magnify. 

Quality of water matters as well. Livestock need potable, clean water. When scarcity forces use of contaminated water sources stagnant ponds, polluted wells pathogens and toxins may harm health. Heavy metals, organic pollutants, or microbial contaminants may accumulate, leading to disease, lowered productivity, or even death. Regular monitoring of water quality is often lacking in remote or impoverished areas, contributing to chronic exposure.

Pastoral and mixed farming systems often cope by migrating animals to find water or grazing areas. This practice has cultural importance in many communities. However, as climate change intensifies, water sources diminish or shift, forcing longer distances and increased energy expenditure. Overgrazing near remaining water bodies may degrade vegetation, causing soil erosion, reduced vegetation cover, and worsening water retention in landscapes. These ecological changes feedback to livestock health through poorer feed quality, increased parasite burden, and reduced shelter from heat. 

Management strategies to buffer livestock under water stress include provision of shade, scheduling watering at cooler parts of day, using water storage systems, improving watering infrastructure, and improved forage species that are drought tolerant and efficient in water use. Shade reduction of solar load lowers body heat, reducing water loss through perspiration or panting. Water storage, through tanks or ponds, aids availability during dry periods. Forage species selected for drought resistance produce adequate biomass with less water, maintain nutritive quality longer, and often have deeper roots that make them less sensitive to daily moisture fluctuations. 

Vaccination, disease prevention, and regular veterinary checks gain importance under water stress. Animals weakened by dehydration are more vulnerable to parasites and infections. Preventive measures deworming, vaccination, external parasite control help maintain baseline health so that when stress occurs, animals have stronger defences. Also feeding minerals that support immune function, vitamins, antioxidants can reduce damage.

Conclusion

Early warning systems for drought, weather forecasting, and community mobilization help to prepare. Subsidies or financial assistance for water storage solutions, drought adapted breeds, or shaded housing may protect vulnerable farmers. Education on efficient watering regimes, animal healthcare, and forage species selection supports better outcomes. In closing, water scarcity imposes multiple stresses on livestock leading to declines in growth, reproduction, immune responses, and survival. Through improved management shade, water storage, forage selection, quality nutrition, veterinary care and support through policy and infrastructure, many harmful effects may be mitigated.