Goats are ruminant herbivores. They possess unique dietary preferences, primarily browsing on woody plants, shrubs, and weeds rather than exclusively grazing on grasses. This natural inclination influences both their wild foraging behaviors and optimal diet for domestic settings.
Natural Foraging Habits
Goats exhibit distinct browsing behavior, selecting a wide array of plant materials. They prefer leaves, tender twigs, and the foliage of shrubs and trees over typical pasture grasses. Their mobile lips and narrow muzzles allow them to selectively pick out nutritious parts, even from thorny bushes. This selective eating means they often choose the most succulent and digestible portions, leaving behind more fibrous material.
Goats stand on their hind legs to reach higher branches, accessing leaves and bark out of reach for other animals. Preferred browse includes brambles, nettles, thistles, and the leaves of trees and shrubs. While they graze on grasses if other forage is scarce, they typically consume only the tops, showing their preference for a varied diet. This adaptability allows them to thrive in diverse landscapes, from mountains to shrublands.
Essential Diet for Domestic Goats
For domestic goats, a healthy diet centers on high-quality forage, supplemented with minerals and fresh water. Hay forms the bulk, providing essential fiber for proper rumen function. Both grass hays (e.g., Timothy, Orchard grass) and legume hays (e.g., alfalfa) are suitable; alfalfa offers higher protein and calcium for lactating or growing goats. Provide long-stem hay to promote chewing and rumination, which aids digestion.
Access to pasture or browse areas allows domestic goats to engage in natural foraging behaviors. Mineral supplementation is essential, as forage alone often lacks necessary nutrients. Goats require minerals like copper, selenium, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus, along with vitamins A, D, and E. Loose mineral mixes should be offered free-choice year-round, allowing goats to consume what they need.
Constant access to clean, fresh water is essential for goat health. Goats are particular about water cleanliness and temperature, refusing to drink if it is dirty or unpalatable. An adult goat typically needs 1 to 3 gallons daily, with lactating does or goats in hot weather requiring more. Grains should be fed sparingly and only for specific purposes, such as supporting high milk production, rapid growth, or providing extra energy during cold weather, as excessive grain can lead to digestive issues.
Foods That Goats Should Never Eat
Numerous plants and human foods are toxic to goats and must be avoided. Among the most dangerous plants are rhododendrons and azaleas, which contain grayanotoxins that can severely impact digestive, cardiac, and nervous systems. Even a small amount can cause serious illness or death. Oleander is another extremely toxic plant, containing cardiac glycosides that interfere with heart function.
Certain fruit trees and their parts also pose a risk. Cherry leaves and pits, especially when wilted, contain cyanogenic glycosides that can lead to cyanide poisoning. Oak leaves are high in tannins, which can cause kidney and liver damage if ingested in large quantities. Avocado (fruit, leaves, and seeds) is toxic due to persin, a compound that can harm the heart, lungs, and mammary glands.
Human foods never fed to goats include chocolate and any items containing caffeine. These contain theobromine and caffeine, which act as stimulants and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart problems, and seizures. Processed snacks, sugary foods, onions, and garlic are also harmful, leading to digestive upset or other health issues. While goats may be curious, their natural instincts don’t always prevent them from consuming toxic substances, especially if other food sources are scarce.