Urban household livestock production (UHLP) as a livelihood strategy is discussed with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper is based on a literature study and two large-scale surveys (cities of Brazzaville and Ouagadougou). The results are discussed in relation to three theoretical concepts, that is, the Sustainable Urban Livelihood model, economic integration theory and non-linear system thinking. The first considers various assets, livelihood outcomes and constraints of UHLP rather than focusing on one aspect only. The second highlights three modes of economic integration, namely market exchange, redistribution and reciprocity. The third introduces notions of non-linearity to help explain how systems vary and repeat themselves at different scales. The paper shows the complexity of urban and peri-urban livestock production, which comprises a wide variety of animal species and production systems. UHLP has many interfaces and has to be considered within a broader urban–rural continuum. The paper concludes that the dynamics of urban livestock cannot be understood by looking at parts only. A narrow focus on the food value of urban livestock misses issues such as income and disease; looking only at public hygiene overlooks the essential role of urban livestock in making and keeping local communities ‘healthy’.
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