Best Treats for Goats
This list of the best treats for goats will help you to give your herd their favorites. Know what they love, what they hate, and what to avoid feeding your dairy goats.
How to Raise Dairy Goats that are people-friendly and well-behaved because they will do whatever you want in order to get some delicious treats!
When feeding your goats, the diet you have them on is essential, it’s true, but treats are as well. Treats are a great tool to use if you are training any animals. Not many people realize how easy it is to train goats, but if you are armed with their favorite snack, they will do just about anything. But what treats do goats love? If you are not sure, this list will help. Know their favs, what they may turn their noses up to, and what treats you should never feed your goats.
What is a goat’s favorite food?
Even though goats love treats, their favorite food is hay. Since goats are herbivores, that means they eat roughage like hay, grass, and weeds. Since hay is high in fiber and low in calories, goats can eat it all day long. Hold a handful of fresh grass or leaves, and they will come running!
Why is it good to give goats treats?
For us, treats play an important role in our herd. We use them to train as well as give medications. Since our goats love bananas, we save that for when we need to get them to take vitamins or pills.
What should you not feed to goats as a treat?
There are a few things that goats should never eat. They include:
- Avocado – This fruit contains persin which can be toxic to goats and cause respiratory distress, heart damage, and death.
- Chocolate – Theobromine in chocolate can be dangerous for goats in large amounts as it can lead to seizures and even death.
- Onions – Goats should avoid onions and their relatives like garlic and chives. They can cause anemia in goats by destroying red blood cells.
- Rhubarb – The leaves of this plant contain oxalic acid which is toxic to goats, causing weakness, tremors, kidney damage, and even death.
- Potato peels – While cooked potatoes are fine for goats to eat, raw potato peels contain solanine, which is toxic and can lead to gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and death.
- Houseplants – Many common houseplants are toxic to goats such as lilies, daffodils, azaleas, and tulips. Keep them out of reach or avoid having them in your house altogether.
Knowing what is toxic will help you to understand your goats more thoroughly. When in doubt, before feeding anything new to your goats or any livestock for that matter, always give your local vet a quick call. Even if they do not treat large animals, they may still be able to give you advice over the phone…without charge.
What treats do goats love?
Now that we’ve covered what not to feed your goats, let’s focus on what they do love! Some of the best treats for goats include:
- Fruits: As mentioned before, bananas are a huge hit with our goats. They also enjoy apples, pears, and berries.
SLCG Pro Tip: If you feed your goats apples, be sure to cut the pieces up to prevent choking. Sometimes, goats get excited when eating, and they may swallow before they chew. Cutting up an apple rather than feeding it whole will help prevent issues.
- Vegetables: Carrots and sweet potatoes are great options for goat treats. Our goats also love snacking on pumpkins and squash during the fall season.
- Pine needles: Goats love pine needles, and bonus, they are a natural dewormer for goats. Just do not overfeed; only use it as a treat.
- Grains: Goats love grains, especially oats and barley. However, it’s important to only give them small amounts as too much grain can cause digestive issues for goats. We usually only feed grain to our pregnant or does in milk. We do not feed grain to our bucks or wethers as it can cause urinary calculi.
SLCG Pro Tip: Avoid feeding moldy or wet hay to your goats, as it can cause health issues.
- Branches and leaves: Goats love browsing on branches and leaves from trees such as willow, maple, and apple. Just be sure to avoid any toxic plants.
SLCG Pro Tip: Do not over feed on maple leaves, as it can cause stomach issues in goats.
- Treat blocks: Treat blocks made specifically for goats can also be a fun and healthy option for them. These usually contain a mix of vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients that goats love.
Manna Pro Goat Treats
Manna Pro Goat Treats, Apple, 6 LbManna Pro Goat Treats – Made with Oatmeal – Daily Goat Treats – Licorice Flavor – 6 Pounds of Goat TreatsYUYUSO Goat Feeder Ball Toy Treat Hay Feeder Ball Hanging Feeding Toy for Goat Sheep headbutting Pen Rest
SLCG Pro Tip: Be cautious when choosing treat blocks, as some may contain high levels of copper, which can be harmful to goats.
- Garlic: Goats love garlic, and it’s a natural deterrent for worms and parasites. However, it’s important to only give them small amounts, as too much can cause anemia in goats.
SLCG Pro Tip: Consult with a veterinarian before adding garlic to your goat’s diet, and make sure they are not allergic to it.
- Hay and grasses: While not considered a treat by humans, hay and grass are still very important parts of a goat’s diet. Fresh grass and hay are great for goats to snack on throughout the day, and it helps keep their digestive system functioning properly.
Giving treats to goats can be something you incorporate into raising your herd. Whether you use them for training, as a way to give medications, or just for fun treats can benefit and grow your relationship with your goats. Know the best and stay away from the rest, and remember, if you have any questions as to what to feed your livestock, always consult a vet in your area for the best advice.
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