Many people wonder whether a goat is a good choice for a pet. It depends on the breed, the situation, and the circumstances you have to offer them.
Goats can make good pets if you treat them right, and keep in mind that they require a lot of open space. It would be ideal to live on a farm or have a large garden, but many people have goats as pets. Goats can be docile, gentle, and friendly.
Goats can also be used to provide milk for your family. If you want to find out if goats make good pets, check out this article.
Do Goats Make Good Pets?
Goats are farm animals that can also be kept as pets. There are over 300 different breeds of goats, but the dwarf and pygmy goats are typically the ones that end up as pets. Goats are herd animals, which means you should aim to keep more than one goat. They prefer to be in groups.
Most pet goats devour attention as long as they are scratched or petted in the right place! You should always give your goats equal attention because, like any other animal, goats can become jealous if one goat gets more attention than another.
Most goats will also happily come to you when you call them, especially if you give them something that is yummy in their tummy, like a carrot. When you obtain a goat as a pet, be ready for a long-term commitment.
Goats are happier when they have things to play with. Look through these Goat Toys on Amazon for inventive feeders and large balls or toys for your goats.
Is a Goat High Maintenance?
Goats are not high maintenance, as they only require the basic necessities to live a happy, healthy life.
These necessities include:
- Shelter
- Fencing
- Nutrition
- Healthcare
Goats typically need a minimum of 20 square feet of inside space and 200 square feet of pasture space for each goat. They cannot endure the rain, as they hate getting wet. Goats also need a place that provides adequate shade during the summer months.
Goats browse for their food, which means they like to climb on things to get to the leaf they have chosen. A good apple or carrot is also appreciated. They primarily feed on hay or grain. You will need to feed them and give them water twice a day.
Pygmy goats are easy to take care of, as well as milking goats and older goats. Goats make good pets if you have a space big enough to keep them where they will have the freedom to roam around.
Here’s a fun video showing what it’s like having a goat as a pet:
What Is the Best Goat to Keep as a Pet?
Miniature goats are great pets because they are supremely adorable. Nigerian Dwarf goats and Pygmies are also good to keep as pets, and pygmies are small and cute. They breed all year round, which means something extraordinary: a lot of baby goats!
Kinder goats are also great pets. They get their name due to their gentle nature and make excellent companions for children. They are intelligent, affectionate, and easy to train. They are also one of the highly playful breeds of goats, as you can find them running after each other in pastures.
What Breed of Goats Make the Best Pets?
Goats are sweet animals and make excellent pets. There are many different breeds of goats. There are some breeds of goats that make good pets:
Pygmy Goat
Pygmy goats are a small and entertaining breed. They love to run around, play, and chase each other all day. They are also quite loveable and fun to watch. They tend to like a good adventure and need a fair amount of room. (source)
They come in different colors:
- Dark mahogany
- Dark brown
- Medium brown
- Black
They are not as prone to illness and diseases as some other goat breeds. These goats are also petite social cuties and are often found in petting zoos. Pygmies are also often used for goat yoga.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
Nigerian Dwarf goats are typically bred as dairy goats. They have sweet, nutritious milk. Nigerian Dwarf goats are simple to care for and maintain. These goats are gentle, which makes them ideal pets for children, and they become part of your family. (source)
They come in different colors:
- Red
- Black
- White
- Black and White
These goats love to jump and climb. If there is something they can use for this purpose, they will absolutely do it! They love to rub their coats against fences, especially during the molting season.
LaMancha
LaMancha is a larger-sized breed, and they are lovely pets. They have short ears instead of the usual long ears of the goat. They can make a lot more milk than most breeds. They are known for their nurturing side. When they have babies, these goats will patiently wait for them to stop drinking before they move.
They come in different colors:
- Brown
- Gray
- Black
- White
Some LaMancha goats are fawn speckled, which is an excellent color! These goats are affectionate and easy to train. There are two types of ears for this breed. The first is the elf ear, which is pointy at the tip and only about two inches.
The other type of LaMancha ear is the gopher ear, which has little or no cartilage, and their ear is about one inch and can turn up or down. LaManchas will provide your family with plenty of dairy.
Pygora
Pygora goats were created by crossing the Pygmy goat and the Angora goat. They are adorable and energetic. This goat produces delicious milk and quality spinning fibers. Pygoras are also great with kids. They can also produce very nutritious milk. They are friendly, curious, and obedient.
They come in different colors:
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Brown
These goats are relatively strong for being so small. They are fun little goats who like to run and jump. They are easy to control due to their small size. Pygora goats are great for anyone who wants a cute, soft pet to hug and love on. They are a popular goat with petting zoos.
Angora Goat
Angoras are large goats that require a lot of room and consideration. These goats are calm and sweet-natured. They have poofy hair that looks like little dreadlocks. The girls are lighter in color than the boys, and the boys are heavier.
These goats are not as active as the other goats but have great character. These goats can be like replacements for sheep, as sheep do not do well in certain areas.
Contrary to popular belief, Angora goats do not produce angora hair, as they produce mohair. You can have them as pets if you live on a farm and have adequate space for grazing.
Mini Oberhasli Goat
This goat is a lovely little pet, and they have a certain endearing charm. The Oberhasli goat is sweet and tender-hearted. They are medium-sized goats and can produce a fair amount of high-quality milk. This goat is easy to take care of, even for beginners.
These particular goats have black faces and typically have black stripes on their tummy, legs, and back. Black females exist in this type of goat. These goats love to jump and climb. The delectable Italian ricotta cheese is made from their milk.
Conclusion
The right type of goat can make a wonderful pet, as many breeds are docile and friendly. Goats are not high maintenance, but whichever type of goat you choose as a pet gives them lots of love and attention.