Goats are
ruminant herbivores and primarily "browsers," meaning they prefer eating woody plants, shrubs, and weeds over just grass. For optimal health in 2026, their diet should consist of the following:
1. Primary Diet (90–100%)
- Hay and Forage: High-quality hay (such as alfalfa, timothy, or orchard grass) should form at least 50% to 90% of their daily intake. Alfalfa is particularly high in protein and calcium, making it ideal for pregnant or lactating goats.
- Browsing: Goats naturally seek out brush, briars, weeds, tree leaves, and bark.
- Pasture: While they prefer browsing, they will eat fresh pasture grasses, clover, and legumes.
2. Supplements and Minerals
- Loose Minerals: Goats require constant access to a "free choice" loose mineral mix specifically formulated for goats (not sheep) to ensure they get essential nutrients like copper, selenium, and zinc.
- Grain: This should be used sparingly (0–10% of diet) and is usually reserved for growing kids, pregnant does, or high-producing dairy goats. Excessive grain can be fatal to male goats as it causes urinary stones.
3. Safe Treats (In Moderation)
Goats enjoy various fruits and vegetables in small amounts:
- Fruits: Apples (seeds removed), bananas (including peels), watermelon, grapes, and pears.
- Vegetables: Carrots, celery, squash, pumpkin, kale, and lettuce.
- Other: Sunflower seeds and occasional kitchen scraps like bread or crackers.
Toxic Foods to Avoid
Never feed goats the following, as they can be poisonous or cause severe digestive distress:
- Toxic Plants: Azaleas, rhododendrons, mountain laurel, yew, hemlock, nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes), and rhubarb leaves.
- Human Food: Chocolate, meat, caffeine, garlic, onions, and processed sugary foods.
- Other: Moldy hay or grain, which can cause life-threatening illnesses.
