So, it’s no wonder that so many people are enjoying goats as pets. (Blake Shelton even bought a goat for Jennifer Hudson’s son for Christmas!) But the question is, do goats actually make good pets? We’ll go over the pros and cons of pet goats to let you decide. A baby goat is so cute, tempting to take in as a pet and could be a perfect option for you. However, there are more factors to consider than just the sweet and friendly personality of the average goat. Although they aren’t too demanding, goats do have specific needs that you will have to be able to supply. If you can meet the needs, a goat does make an awesome pet that your family could enjoy. Here is everything you need to know in determining if a goat makes a good pet for you. Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Are Goats Good Pets?
Surprisingly, goats can make very nice pets! Although goats tend to be very friendly and curious animals, different breeds of goats will have different temperaments. Like deciding on a breed of dog, you will want to research all the variety of breeds beforehand. There are actually over 300 different goat breeds to choose from! What makes goats so lovable is how social and fun-loving they are (not to mention how they love to get pet!). In fact, some would say that their personalities are a lot like a dog. They love to romp around and play. When they are happy, they’ll let you know by wagging their tail. A goat also loves attention and will need lots of human interaction. Sound familiar? But is having a pet goat exactly like having a dog? There are some definite differences that may or may not be right for you.
Pros of Having a Pet Goat
Cons of Having a Pet Goat
Goat Care
Living Space
Although you can start caring for baby goats inside your home, they will need additional space outside when they get older. Goats need a large, fenced-in pasture area to move around freely. Since they need both sun and shade, it’s good to have some trees on the property. Along with a large outdoor area, goats also need protection from the weather. A barn of some sort is necessary for this. It needs to be totally closed in and any windows would have to be higher than the height of the goat standing on its hind feet. This is because they like to butt things with their head and a glass window would be dangerous to them. The barn floor could be dirt, which is comfortable for them to stand on. However, a concrete barn floor is best for ease of cleaning. You just need to include a bedding area of pine shavings or straw.
What To Feed Goats
These cute little animals can be a little fussy and won’t eat just anything. They do like their roughage (dietary fiber) though! Besides grazing on hay, grasses and weeds, they particularly like grains. Grain made up of corn, barley, oats and soybeans are their favorite. However, since grain is high in calories, goats should have limited amounts to not become overweight. Goats also need certain vitamins and minerals that can be provided in the form of a salt lick. So, a few of these salt bricks around the pasture is a good idea. If your goats will have access to any of your garden areas, make sure to not plant anything that would be toxic to them. Plants like roses, azaleas, rhododendron, mountain laurel and ferns are all poisonous to goats.
Extra Benefits of Having a Goat
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