It is believed that goats can eat anything, but in fact, it is not always absolutely authentic. They can and will eat whatever is given to them, but they can’t always digest it. Certain food items should not be fed to goats as they may be harmful or not beneficial to the health of the goat. Every animal can be choosy when it comes to what they want to eat which leads us to the question can goats eat apples? Generally goats should be able to eat and digest apples as it is a good source of fiber and vitamin c, which are two important components of a goat’s nutriment.
Apples are safe for goats to eat in moderation. They should not be fed as a constant meal but as an occasional snack. Eating too many apples can lead to a buildup of gas in the goat’s stomach causing the goat to bloat.
Can Goats Eat Apples?
Yes, Goats can eat apples in limited quantities as it is a great source of nutrients for the development of the goat. However, the apples should be sliced into small pieces for easy chewing. Goats enjoy eating apples as they do not only serve as a nutritious snack but are also delicious.
Are Apples Healthy for Goats?
Apples are a very good source of nourishment. They serve as a great addition to a goat’s diet as they are beneficial to the health of goats. They contain nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium and so many more.
Fiber
Just like humans the addition of fiber to a goat’s diet is essential. It adds bulk to the goat’s diet and keeps the digestive tract of the goat working well.
Vitamin C
This is a very important component in a goat’s diet as it helps in the growth and development of body tissues in goats. It also helps in other aspects such as the absorption of iron, proper functioning of the immune system, and maintenance of the teeth and bones.
Potassium
This is also another important component in a goat’s diet as it helps to perform several tasks in metabolism and nerve functions. It also helps in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Are Apples Safe for Goats?
It is safe to feed apples to goats but it should be done in moderation. It would not be advisable to substitute their main diet for apples. It is a form of snack and should be given from time to time. Goats should not be fed more than one apple per day. They will eat more if given the chance but eating too many is dangerous to the health of the goat.
Can Goats Eat Apple Seeds?
The one thing you should be careful about when feeding apples to goats is the seed. Although Apples have health benefits, it is essential to know about the risks of feeding apple seeds to goats. Apple seeds contain Cyanide which is poisonous even to humans and can be deadly in some cases. As the seeds contain cyanide, a small amount of it can be defended by the goat’s immune system. A goat would have to consume 5 pounds of cyanide in a day for it to be considered dangerous to its immune system. Therefore, there is no risk of cyanide poisoning by feeding your goats an apple with seeds. To be on the safe side it is advised to remove the seeds before feeding an apple to goats.
Can Baby Goats Eat Apples?
Young goats or kids are different from adult goats, their digestive system can’t be compared to that of a matured goat. As they are new to the world, feeding them snacks shouldn’t be a prime concern. Young goats should be fed on the mother’s milk for the first 30 days. Afterward, they can be fed little quantities of grass and grains until at least 60-90 days of age. Later on, it is safe to add apples to their nutriment in small quantities.
The digestive tract of a young goat needs time to adapt to new food items. Apples should be given to them in moderation, and it needs to be cut into little slices to prevent choking.
Can Goats Eat Apple Leaves?
Yes, goats can eat the leaves, branches, and barks of an apple tree. Some farmers believe that the goats enjoy the leaves more than the apple itself. So it is safe to feed them apples with leaves on them. However, be careful when feeding the leaves to baby goats as their digestive system is still trying to adapt to specific food items. Feeding baby goats leaves in excess can cause them to face bloating.
What Other Fruits Can Goats Eat?
Goats can eat a lot of fruits and vegetables as a form of snack once in a while if it is healthy for them.
These include:
- Watermelon
- Pears
- Peaches
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Strawberries
- Oranges
It is essential to note that you should not feed your goats avocados or cherries as they can be poisonous to goats.
Food Items to avoid feeding goats
Goats are herbivores and their diet should be strictly vegetarian, meat and dairy products should be avoided totally except for baby goats feeding on their mother’s milk. Goats should not consume things like garlic, onions, and chocolate. Dog or Cat food should never be fed to goats as they contain a high amount of animal protein, feeding them food items rich in animal protein causes a lining of fat to form in their stomach walls. This lining of fat affects their absorption rate which can end up becoming dangerous to them.
Summary
Apples are a safe wholesome snack to feed goats. They contain vital nutrients needed for the overall improvement of a goat’s health. However, they should always be cut into little pieces to avoid choking. Apples should not be used as a substitute for a goat’s primary diet and should only be fed to them in moderation.
