Bringing the family cow?

There is a family tradition that Great Great Grandpa and Grandma brought at least one or two dairy cows with them on their voyage to America from Vaga/Lom, Gudbransdal, Oppland in 1872 (I don't know the ship or shipping line or ports of call) all the way to Fillmore County, Minnesota. I know it was possible, but it seems improbable, impracticable and one heck of an undertaking if they really did. They had 5 children, all under 10 years old, the youngest under 1 year, so they could have used the milk. Sure, cattle were shipped all around the world in those days but I have a hard time believing this was a common practice on passenger ships of the day. Has anyone else heard of this happening?