Every year, millions of families in Pakistan buy a goat, cow, dumba or camel for Eid ul Adha. Choosing the right animal is not only about size and price. The animal must be healthy, of the right age and free from defects for the Qurbani to be valid. This checklist helps you buy with confidence, whether you visit a mandi or browse the Titans Pet Bakra Mandi online.
1. Check the teeth to confirm age
Sellers sometimes overstate an animal's age, so check its front teeth yourself. A goat or sheep with two permanent front teeth ("do daant") is usually over one year old. Cows and buffaloes with two permanent teeth are generally around two years old. Milk teeth are small and narrow; permanent teeth are wide and strong.
2. Look for the signs of a healthy animal
A healthy animal is alert, stands firmly and reacts to its surroundings. Before you agree on a price, check these points:
- Eyes: bright and clear, with no discharge or cloudiness.
- Nose and mouth: clean and moist, with no thick mucus or sores.
- Coat: smooth and shiny, with no bald patches, ticks or wounds.
- Movement: walks evenly on all four legs without limping.
- Appetite: eats and chews cud normally; a sick animal often refuses food.
- Droppings: firm pellets for goats and sheep; loose droppings can signal illness.
- Breathing: calm and steady, not fast or noisy.
3. Avoid defects that make Qurbani invalid
Islamic rules require the animal to be free from serious defects. Do not buy an animal that is blind or one-eyed, clearly lame, extremely weak or thin, or has a large part of its ear or tail cut off. Horns broken from the root are also a problem. Small cosmetic marks are usually acceptable, but when in doubt, choose another animal.
4. Pick the right breed for your budget
Pakistan has many famous breeds. Among goats, Beetal, Teddy, Kamori and Makhi Cheeni are popular. For sheep and dumbas, Kajli, Balochi and Rakhshani are favourites. Sahiwal, Cholistani and Dhanni are common choices for cows and bulls. Bigger, show-quality animals cost more, but a healthy local animal of the right age is just as valid for Qurbani.
5. Buy safely online and in the mandi
Browsing online first saves time and helps you compare prices before visiting crowded mandis. On Titans Pet you can view goats, cows and bulls, dumbas, sheep and camels listed by sellers across Pakistan. Always see the animal in person, check it against this list, and pay only when you are satisfied. Ask for vaccination and deworming records if available.
6. Care for the animal until Eid
Once you bring the animal home, keep it in a shaded, airy place with clean water at all times. Feed green fodder and dry roughage, and avoid overfeeding grain, which can cause bloat. Keep the area clean and protect the animal from heat and stress until the day of Qurbani.
FAQs
What is the minimum age of a goat for Qurbani?
A goat must be at least one year old.
How many people can share a cow for Qurbani?
Up to seven people can share one cow, bull, buffalo or camel.
Can I sacrifice an animal with a broken horn?
A small chip is usually fine, but a horn broken from the root is considered a defect. Ask a scholar if unsure.
How can I tell if a bakra is sick?
Watch for dull eyes, nasal discharge, loose droppings, limping or refusing food.
Is it safe to buy a Qurbani animal online?
Yes, if you use online listings to compare and shortlist, then inspect the animal in person before paying.
