a cash cow business is a money-maker whereas a cash hog business is a money-loser. a cash cow business has substantially more current assets than current liabilities whereas a cash hog business has substantially more current liabilities than current assets. a cash cow business generates enough profits to cover its debt repayments whereas a cash hog business does not. a cash cow business generates positive retained earnings whereas a cash hog business produces negative retained earnings. a cash cow business produces internal cash flows over and above what is needed to fund operations and capital investment whereas the internal cash flows of a cash hog business are too small to fully fund its operating needs and capital requirements