As a goat owner, it is important to know what your goats can or cannot eat. Although goats are popular for being trash cans, that does not mean they can eat anything. The diet of a goat is important as it is an important factor in their development. Goats are herbivores and their diet should be made up of about 70% hay. Fruits and vegetables can make up the remaining 30%. However, which fruits can goats eat? And which fruits are poisonous to them? All these will be discussed in this article.
Can Goats Eat Fruits?
The answer is yes, goats can eat fruits. Goats can eat just about anything and they will find a way to eat it. They are very curious animals and will take advantage of any opportunity they have to taste something new. Fruits should be fed to goats as a form of a snack as they cannot survive on fruits alone. However, not all fruits are safe for goats.
Having established the fact that goats can eat fruits, it is important to know which fruits they can and cannot eat.
What Fruits Can Goats Eat?
Goats can eat a lot of fruits. Most of these fruits provide goats with several health benefits. There are many types of fruits that goats can eat. Some of the most common include:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Mangoes
- Figs
- Blueberries
Apples
Apples are a safe healthy treat for goats. Apples are a great nutritional source, rich in vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Feeding apples to goats can provide them with energy thereby making them able to perform their daily tasks with ease. Apples can also help to strengthen the immune system of goats as they are rich in antioxidants.
All parts of the apple are safe for goats, this includes the leaves, trees, and branches. However, apple seeds contain cyanide. Cyanide is poisonous to goats but goats will have to eat 5 pounds of cyanide for it to be considered dangerous. So to be on the safe side it is best not to feed apple seeds to goats.
Apples should also be cut into small pieces when feeding goats to prevent choking.
Oranges
Oranges are another great option if you’re looking for a healthy treat for your goat. Oranges are nutritious and delicious fruits and can be a great snack for goats. They are rich in nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in vitamin C. Feeding oranges to goats can help strengthen their immune system and helps them develop their eyesight.
Goats can eat all parts of an orange. This includes the peels, leaves, and seeds. However, oranges should be fed to goats in moderation as it is acidic.
Bananas
Goats can also eat bananas. Banana is a great fruit as it is low in calories and high in nutrients with little to no fats. Banana is a great option for goats. They contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals. Bananas are considered a super-food by many. Goats also love to eat bananas. Feeding Bananas to goats can aid their digestion. It also synthesizes protein in the system of goats.
All parts of a banana can be eaten by goats. However, banana is high in sugar. Sugar is not inherently bad for goats but too much sugar can be harmful to their health. For this reason, bananas should be fed to goats in moderation.
Mangoes
If you’re looking for a tasty snack. Mangoes can be considered. Mangoes are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Feeding mangoes to goats aid their digestion and contribute to a balanced nutriment for them.
Goats can eat the peel and leaves of mangoes. However, the seeds should not be fed to goats to prevent choking.
Figs
Figs are also great fruits. Goats love figs and feeding figs to goats can lift their mood. Figs are a great source of nutrients, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding figs to goats help to regulate their blood sugar levels. It also helps with their red blood cell production. Figs are a great addition to a goat’s diet. All parts of figs are safe to be eaten by goats.
Blueberries
What is a tasty treat without blueberries? Goats love blueberries and you can’t blame them. Blueberries are low in calories and high in nutrients thus making them a super-food. They are filled with nutrients such as water, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants. Feeding blueberries to goats is beneficial to their development. Blueberries are rich in water which is beneficial to nursing goats. It also helps in the development and strengthening of the bones of goats.
All parts of blueberries can be eaten by goats. However, blueberries should be fed to goats in limited quantities as they are high in sugar.
Other fruits that can be eaten by goats include
- Carrots
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Grapes
- Kiwifruit
Although fruits are nutritious, they should not be used as a replacement for a goat’s diet as goats cannot survive on fruits alone.
Fruits that are not safe for Goats
This list would not be complete without fruits that are poisonous to goats as well. While goats can eat fruits, there are lots of fruits that are poisonous to goats. Some of them include:
- Avocado
- Eggplants
- Cherries
Avocado
Goats cannot eat avocado as it is poisonous to them. All parts of the avocado should be avoided as they all contain a fungicidal toxin known as persin. Persin cannot be digested by goats. Feeding avocado to goats can cause serious health conditions such as tachycardia and hyperpnoea. In severe cases, avocadoes can cause the death of goats.
Eggplants
Eggplants are highly nutritious fruits. However, goats cannot eat them. This is because eggplants contain solanine. Solanine is a poisonous toxin to goats. Feeding eggplants to goats can cause delirium, seizures, and paralysis. Eggplants should be avoided when feeding goats. Other fruits such as bananas and blueberries can be used as a replacement for eggplants.
Cherries
Cherries are also a bad option when it comes to feeding goats. Cherries contain high amounts of cyanide. Feeding cherries to goats can cause cyanide poisoning. Cyanide poisoning can be very fatal in goats. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning include but are not limited to vomiting, rapid breathing, and staggering. In severe cases, it can cause the death of goats. All parts of the cherry should be avoided. This includes the leaves and seeds.
Conclusion
Goats can eat fruits as long as they are not poisonous to them. Feeding fruits to goats is encouraged as it is a great form of a snack. There are several fruits that goats can eat. In addition, fruits should also be fed to goats in moderation as goats cannot survive on them alone.
