Cudding

mastication of regurgitated food, characteristic of ruminant animals. Cudding is a reflex action that takes place in the intervals between taking food and considerably facilitates its processing. Undermasticated food is swallowed and enters the initial sections of the multichambered ruminant stomach—the rumen and the reticulum-—where it is mixed with remains of food and swallowed saliva. Microorganisms cause it to ferment. Then the food is regurgitated in small portions from the rumen and the reticulum into the mouth cavity, where it is carefully masticated, strongly moistened by the intensified salivation during cudding, and swallowed again.