As a goat farmer, you know how much your goats mean to you. They are more than just farm animals; they are beloved pets and important members of your family. And just like any other pet, you want to make sure they are happy and healthy.
One way to keep your goats happy is by giving them treats! In this article, we will go over some of the best treats for goats and the dos and don’ts of treating your goats right.
Overview of Good Goat Treats
Goat treats come in all shapes and sizes! From fresh fruits and vegetables to commercial treats specifically made for goats, there are endless options when it comes to treating your goat.
Some goat owners even make their own homemade treats for their furry friends! But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
The Importance of Giving Goats Treats
Giving your goats treats can be essential to keeping them happy and healthy. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is crucial for maintaining good health in any animal.
Additionally, giving treats can help create a strong bond between you and your goat; it shows them that you care about their happiness and well-being. The benefits of treating your goat don’t stop there – snacks can keep them active too!
Giving them something new or different from their usual diet will help stimulate their minds as they explore new flavors or textures. Now that we have covered why giving treats is important, let’s dive into the different types of healthy treat options for your beloved furry friends.
Healthy Treat Options
Fruits and Vegetables
Goats love fruits and vegetables, making them a perfect addition to their diet. Some good goat treat options include:
- apples
- bananas
- watermelons
- carrots
- sweet potatoes.
Be sure to wash them thoroughly before feeding them to your goats. It is essential to note that while fruits and vegetables are excellent treats for goats, they should not replace their daily forage and hay intake.
Grains and Seeds
Grains and seeds are another great option when it comes to goat treats. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that too many grains can cause digestive issues in goats.
The recommended amount of grain is 1/4th of a cup per 50 pounds of goat body weight per day.
Some popular options include oats, wheat bran, barley, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed meal.
Hay and Forage
Hay is the most crucial part of a goat’s diet but can also be used as a treatment option. You can feed your goats hay cubes or alfalfa pellets as an occasional snack. Fresh forage such as clover or grasses from your yard can also be given as treats.
Remember that fresh grass clippings from lawnmowers should not be fed as they might contain harmful chemicals. Overall these healthy treat options will provide your goats with some much-needed variety in their diets while still maintaining healthy nutrition levels!
Commercial Treats
Types of Commercial Treats Available
If you are not into DIY treats or if you want to give your goats something special, then commercial treats may be the way to go. There are many different types of commercial treats available on the market that can cater to the likes and needs of your goats.
Some of the most popular commercial goat treats include dried fruits, crunchy snacks, and digestive supplements. You can find them at your local feed store or online.
Pros and Cons of Using Commercial Treats
There are advantages and disadvantages to using commercial treats when feeding your goats. One major advantage is convenience.
These treats are readily available and can save you time from making homemade ones. Another advantage is that a variety of options are available, so you can find a treat that appeals to your goat’s taste buds.
On the other hand, some commercial goat treats contain preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors, which makes them less healthy than homemade ones. Plus, they may be more expensive in the long run than making your own.
Overall, it’s up to you whether to use commercial or homemade goat treats for your furry friends. If you decide to use a commercially-made treat, make sure it is made with high-quality ingredients without any additives that could harm your goat’s health.
Homemade Treat Recipes
DIY recipes for goat treats
When it comes to making your own treats for your goats, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few recipes of good goat treats that you can try out:
Peanut Butter and Oat Balls
Ingredients: – 1 cup rolled oats – 1/2 cup peanut butter
– 1/4 cup honey Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Roll into small balls and refrigerate until firm.
Apple Cinnamon Bites
Ingredients: – 2 cups chopped apples – 1/2 cup rolled oats
– 1 tsp cinnamon Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
Scoop mixture into muffin tins or onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Ingredients to use in homemade treats
When making homemade treats for your goats, it’s important to stick to healthy ingredients that won’t upset their sensitive stomachs. Some good options include fruits and vegetables: apples, carrots, bananas, berries, and leafy greens.
Grains and seeds: oats, barley, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. Dairy products: yogurt, cheese (in moderation)
Avoid using ingredients like chocolate or avocado, which can be toxic to goats. And always introduce new foods gradually so as not to cause any digestive issues for your furry friends!
Dos and Don’ts of Giving Goat Treats
How much to give at a time
When giving your goats treats, it’s important to remember that moderation is key. Goats have a sensitive digestive system; too many treats can cause health problems.
As a general rule on how much you should feed your goats, you should not give your goats more than a handful or two of treats per goat per day, depending on their size. It’s also important to ensure that the treats you are giving them don’t contain too much sugar or salt, as this can harm their health.
Frequency of treat giving
When it comes to how often you should give your goats treats, less is generally more. While it may be tempting to give them treats every day, especially if they’re begging for them, doing so can lead to health problems like obesity and digestive issues. Instead, try limiting treat-giving to once or twice a week.
What not to feed goats
While there are plenty of healthy and tasty options for goat treats, there are also some foods you should avoid feeding your goats altogether.
Some common foods that can be toxic or harmful include:
- chocolate
- avocadoes
- rhubarb leaves
- pits from fruit such as cherries or apricots
Additionally, avoid feeding them moldy food or anything spoiled.
Treats for goats are an excellent way to provide nutrition in addition to their regular hay diet, but they must be given in moderation.
Avoid giving them anything that makes up the majority of their diet, like bread but sticks with fruits and vegetables and commercial goat snacks designed specifically for them by reputable producers. Keep track of what they eat so you do not overfeed or give them something unhealthy which might cause illness instead of being beneficial.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the importance of providing goats with treats. Good goat treats are a great way to show your goats love and affection while rewarding them for good behavior. Treats can help improve your relationship with your goats and their overall health and well-being when given in moderation and with care.
As a goat owner, treating your animals with the respect and care they deserve is important. This includes providing them with healthy food options and delicious treats. When choosing goat treats, make sure to select options that are safe for them to eat, and that won’t upset their stomachs or cause any harm. Additionally, always monitor how much you give them and how often you provide these treats.
Whether you choose to give your goats commercial treats or homemade recipes, make sure they are healthy and tasty options that will help promote a stronger bond between you and your animals.
Treating your goats with proper care and attention can be an enjoyable experience for you and your furry friends!
Sarah Lane has been a farm wife since 2010 and mother of two children for nearly as long. She and her husband, Jonathan, live on a small farm in Texas where they raise dairy goats and beef cattle as well as chickens for eggs and meat. In addition to growing their own hay, straw and garden produce, the Lane family works with other nearby farms to source organic grain from which they make artisan bread sold at local farmer’s market.
