Cabergoline is an ergot-derivative with high affinity for the D₂ dopamine receptors whose dopaminergic effects cause inhibition of prolactin (PRL) secretion, and thus it could be considered a molecule that acts as a potential dry-off facilitator. One hundred and 99 Holstein cows (102 primiparous; 97 multiparous) producing ≥ 18 kg/d at dry-off were split in 2 treatments with the objective of evaluating the effects of cabergoline at dry-off (between 70 and 50 d before the expecting calving date) on PRL secretion, udder engorgement, milk leakages, udder health at calving, and cow wellbeing after dry-off. Treatments consisted of a single i.m. injection of 5 mL of a solution containing 5.6 mg of cabergoline (CAB) or 5 mL of saline solution as a placebo (CTRL). Each animal was evaluated for presence or absence of milk leakages during the 4 d following drying-off and udder engorgement determined using a digital algometer. Lying behavior was recorded during 10 d after drying-off. Twenty-five cows from each treatment were randomly chosen and blood sampled at 3 and 15 d after dry-off and at 5 and 3 d before the expected calving date to determine serum PRL concentrations. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Cows on CTRL had greater (P < 0.05) serum PRL concentrations than cows on CAB at 3 and 15 d after dry-off. Cows on CTRL had a greater (P < 0.01) udder engorgement (24.0 ± 0.33 Newtons) than cows on CAB (22.4 ± 33 Newtons) throughout the 4 d following dry-off, and it decreased (P < 0.05) as days since dry-off increased. The overall incidence of milk leakage in cows on CAB (3.1 ± 0.88%) was 73.5% of that obtained in cows on CTRL (11.7 ± 1.64%); and cows on CAB had 0.2 lesser odds (P < 0.001) to incur in milk leakage than cows on CTRL. The day following dry-off, CTRL cows lied about 1.5 h/d less (P < 0.05) than cows on CAB. It is concluded that an i.m. administration of 5.6 mg of carbegoline at dry-off effectively reduces PRL secretion, udder engorgement, milk leakages, and improves lying time the day following dry-off.