Goats always seem to be up for a snack. Whenever you look at them, they simply happen to be munching away, which is part of their charm.
Goats can eat a variety of fruits, such as mangoes, watermelons, bananas, apples, oranges, blueberries, pineapples, grapes, and raspberries, to name a few. These fruits are tasty and high in nutrients, making them perfectly safe for goats to eat.
If you’re looking for a more thorough guide as to which fruits you can safely incorporate into your goat’s diet, you came to the right place. Read on to know which fruits your goats can eat and how you can prepare them for their easy snacking.
What Fruits Can Goats Eat?
Mangoes
Goats can safely consume mangoes. This fruit contains vitamins A, B6, C, and E, as well as other nutrients like calcium and iron, making it a tasty and healthy treat for your goat.
Interestingly, goats can also eat the mango peel, which is high in fiber and protein. But before feeding it to your goat, make sure to thoroughly clean the peel to get rid of pesticides and other similar chemicals.
Also, you have to remove the seed since it can be a choking hazard.
Oranges
Another fruit that’s safe for goats to consume is oranges. Oranges are known for being a good source of vitamin C, and that’s great at strengthening your goat’s immunity. Some studies reveal that dried orange pulp can improve a mother goat’s lactation.
While oranges are a rich source of vitamins, they can also be highly acidic. As such, it’s best to give oranges to your goats in moderation and occasionally.
Watermelon
Watermelons are great for goats. Not only do they contain nutrients like vitamin C and lycopene, but watermelons also boast a high water content. That makes it the perfect summertime treat for goats.
Interestingly, every part of the watermelon is edible for goats – whether it’s the peel, rind, or vines. The seeds are also safe, but only in moderation since they can be hard to digest.
Related: Can Goats Eat a Whole Watermelon? | Is Watermelon Bad for Goats?
Apricots
Apricots, being high in vitamins A, C, and E, are another healthy treat for your goats. Like mango peels, the skin on this fruit is also high in fiber, which can help your goat get a balanced diet.
However, you must be cautioned that goats can’t digest apricot seeds. Not only are they inedible, but they can also cause choking. Thus, make sure to take out the seeds first before feeding this fruit to your goats.
Apples
Another goat-friendly fruit is apples, including their peel. This fruit is high in carbohydrates and protein, which gives your goat the energy it needs for the day.
While it seems like apple seeds are harmless, you should not feed them to your goats. Apple seeds contain cyanide, and that can easily poison your goat.
Grapefruits
Like oranges, goats can safely snack on grapefruits to give them that extra kick of vitamins C, A, and folate. However, you must not give your goat too much of this tangy treat since it is also highly acidic.
Honeydew Melon
Surprisingly, goats can also eat honeydew melon. Aside from being rich in vitamins and minerals, it’s also sweet and tasty – which is why goats love them.
However, you must never feed your goat any honeydew watermelon rind and seeds. The rind is hard and tough to swallow, which makes it a choking hazard. On the other hand, its seeds are hard to digest, and that can easily give your goat an upset stomach.
Bananas
Goats love bananas. It’s high in potassium and fiber, and the peels are also safe to eat.
In case you’re having a hard time giving your goat any medication, you can easily hide them in banana slices, and your goat won’t notice a thing. Take note of this useful tip since it might come in handy someday.
Related: Zinc Deficiency in Goats | Overlooked Symptoms and Reliable Remedies
Blueberries
It’s a good thing that goats can eat blueberries since they love munching on this tiny fruit. Being high in antioxidants and potassium, blueberries can help improve your goats’ dental and muscular health.
But like all fruits, it’s advised to give blueberries in moderation. Having too much of it can lead to an upset stomach since goats will find them hard to digest.
Grapes
Fortunately, goats can safely consume grapes. Aside from being rich in vitamins and fiber, grapes are also easy to chew. You don’t have to worry about the seeds and peel, either – goats can eat every part of this fruit.
Raspberries
Goats can also eat raspberries. In fact, this is probably one of the most nutritious fruits on this list, containing nutrients like vitamin C, manganese, B vitamins, and iron. It also contains fiber and protein, so there’s no doubt that it’s safe for goats.
Strawberries
Another goat-friendly fruit from the berry family is strawberries. Aside from manganese and vitamin C, strawberries are also 91% water. That makes it the perfect snack to fight off dehydration.
However, strawberries also contain a good amount of sugar. With that said, it’s suggested to only give your goat a few slices of strawberries occasionally.
Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit is also safe for goats to eat. This fruit has high levels of fiber and vitamins C and K, making it a healthy and tasty snack for goats. Just slice them into bite-sized pieces, and your goats are sure to love them.
Blueberries
Blueberries are sweet and rich in vitamins, making them safe for goats to eat. This fruit is also rich in antioxidants, which can give your goat added immunity.
However, eating too many blueberries can cause obesity and an upset stomach. Thus, it’s best to feed them a few pieces at a time only.
Peaches
Goats love peaches because they’re sweet, juicy, and easy to chew. This fruit is also high in fiber and vitamin A, which help improve your goats’ digestion and eye health.
But before feeding peaches to your goat, make sure to take out the seed first. Peach seeds are known to be a choking hazard, so make sure you don’t give any to your goats.
Pineapples
Interestingly, goats can eat pineapples. This fruit is juicy and rich in vitamin C, making it the perfect snack for an immunity boost. Pineapple peels are also safe for them to eat, but make sure they’re sliced into bite-sized pieces for easier munching.
Plums
And finally, goats can safely eat plums. But to be more specific, you should only feed your goat plum flesh. This part of the fruit contains dietary fibers and vitamins, making it perfectly safe to consume.
However, you must be careful not to feed plum seeds to your goat. Plum seeds contain cyanide, and that can easily lead to cyanide poisoning.
Related: Diarrhea in Goats | Vital Remedies to Ensure Recovery!
What Not to Feed to Goats?
From the extensive list above, it seems every type of fruit is edible to goats. Unfortunately, that’s not the case at all. Here are some fruits and other food that goats should not eat:
- Wild cherry pits. While the flesh of cherries is safe for goats, the pit is considered toxic because of its high cyanide content.
- Avocados. While seemingly harmless, avocados contain a toxin called persin, which goat stomachs cannot digest.
- Coffee berries. This berry contains high levels of caffeine which can cause goats to develop irregular heartbeats.
- Cacao. Like coffee berries, cacao contains high levels of caffeine which is not good for goats.
Related: Constipation in Goats | Proven Relief and Prevention Techniques!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Goats Eat Carrots?
Goats can eat carrots. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and fiber, so it’s safe for goats to consume. Make sure to cut them into small cubes before feeding them to goats.
Can Goats Eat Celery?
Goats can eat celery – both stalk and stem. This crunchy treat is packed with antioxidants for your goat’s overall immunity and health.
Can Goats Eat Pumpkins?
Goats can eat pumpkins. Pumpkin contains fiber and protein, which helps keep a goat’s diet balanced.
Can Goats Eat Tomatoes?
Goats can eat ripe tomatoes. However, unripe tomatoes, leaves, and stems have high alkaloid levels and are considered toxic to goats.
Do Goats Eat Grass?
Goats eat grass. However, grass alone cannot provide a balanced diet to goats and should be supplemented.
Can Goats Eat Bread?
Goats can eat bread, but only in limited quantities. Bread contains starch which is helpful for a goat’s stomach.
Can Goats Eat Broccoli?
Goats can eat broccoli in small amounts. Too much broccoli can cause intestinal problems, so it’s best to keep it at a minimum.
Can Goats Eat Cucumbers?
Goats can eat cucumbers. Cucumbers are high in calcium and potassium, making them healthy for goats. It also has high water content, making it a great summertime snack.
Can Goats Eat Asparagus?
Goats can safely consume asparagus. This vegetable is rich in vitamin K and vitamin A, and calcium. However, it’s best to feed them to adult goats since kids may have a hard time digesting them.
Can Goats Eat Corn?
Goats can eat corn, but only in small amounts. Corn has high calcium content, and too much of it can lead to complications early on.
Can Goats Eat Lettuce?
Goats can eat lettuce. However, it’s best to serve lettuce merely as a supplement to its regular diet. Even then, it should not be fed daily.
Can Goats Eat Potatoes?
Goats can eat a limited amount of potatoes. Eating too many potatoes can cause indigestion in goats. Also, the green part of potatoes contains solanine, an alkaloid, which is highly toxic to goats. Thus, make sure to remove the green part before feeding potatoes to goats.
Do Goats Eat Meat?
Goats do not eat meat. Goats are herbivores, so their primary source of nutrition consists of plants. Additionally, their stomachs are incapable of processing meat, which is why it should not be fed to goats at all costs.
To conclude, goats can eat a variety of fruits, ranging from berries to melons. These fruits not only provide goats with a tasty treat, but they also contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can keep them strong and healthy. However, bear in mind that fruits should not replace a goat’s regular diet and should only be supplementary at best.
List of Sources
Supplementing the Diet of Dairy Goats With Dried Orange Pulp Throughout Lactation: I. Effect on Milk Performance, Nutrient Utilisation, Blood Parameters and Production Economics
Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits of Various Botanical Types of Melon (Cucumis Melo L.)
You mentioned that goats can eat watermelon but does that include watermelon grinds or only soft part?
Hi there!
Thanks for your question. I can tell you that goats can definitely eat watermelon rinds as well as the soft part of the fruit. In fact, goats will often eat the entire watermelon, seeds and all!
Just be sure to offer watermelon as a treat in moderation, since large quantities can cause digestive upset. And remember to provide a balanced diet that includes hay, grass, and a suitable goat feed.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.