When fall comes around, all of the pumpkin-flavored treats start hitting the shelves. If you have goats at home, you might start to wonder, can goats eat pumpkins? Many people think that goats can eat anything, but that’s a myth. Let’s talk about whether you can feed your goats some of the leftover pumpkin scraps.
Can Goats Eat Pumpkin?
Yes, goats can eat pumpkin and it can be a nutritious addition to their diet. Pumpkins are high in fiber and contain vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, which are all beneficial for goats. Pumpkin also has high water content which is excellent to keep your goats nice and hydrated.
However, pumpkin cannot be the only food in your goat’s diet. Goats need a balanced diet of grass, hay, grains, and other vegetation all in appropriate amounts. They will also need fresh water.
Despite all of the good nutrients in pumpkin, it doesn’t meet all of a goat’s dietary needs. Pumpkin does make for an excellent healthy snack or even routinely in moderation, though not a sole source of food for goats.
What To Look Out For If Your Goat Eats Too Much Pumpkin
Even too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. If your goat has too much pumpkin, it can cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation. Stomach upset can also occur if your goats aren’t used to having pumpkins. If there are any changes to your goat's normal routine after eating pumpkins, monitor them closely and contact your veterinarian for further instructions.
Tips & FAQs For Feeding Goats Pumpkin
There are a few things you should know before feeding your goats pumpkins. We will also go over a couple of frequently asked questions.
Introduce Slowly
As mentioned above, if your goat is not used to eating pumpkin, they can get an upset stomach. The best way to prevent that is to introduce it slowly with small amounts that increase over time. This is a good rule of thumb when feeding your goats any new food. You should also always consult your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist before adding new foods to your goat’s diet on a regular basis.
Remove the Rind & Seeds
Though goats can safely have the flesh of a pumpkin, the pumpkin rind and seeds are difficult for them to digest and put them at higher risk for gastrointestinal issues. Before you feed your goats any amount of pumpkin, ensure you remove the rind and seeds.
Cut Into Small Pieces
Goats also do not have any front teeth which makes it difficult for them to properly chew large chunks of food. To prevent them from choking, always cut the pumpkin into small pieces before feeding it to goats.
Do Goats Eat Pumpkins?
Even though pumpkins are safe for goats, it is possible that they won’t eat them. Many goats will eat pumpkins, but some tend to be quite picky. To figure out if your goat likes pumpkin, simply try to give them a small, peeled piece without any seeds.
Can Goats Eat Pumpkin Seeds?
No, goats should not eat pumpkin seeds as they are hard for them to digest. You should also always remove the rind as rinds are hard to digest as well.
Get Your Goats in the Fall Spirit with a Pumpkin Treat
Pumpkins can be a fun treat to let your goats get in the fall spirit. Just always remember to remove the rind and seeds, introduce it slowly, and watch for any gastrointestinal issues. It is important to note that you should always talk to your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your goats. Oh, and keep the pumpkin pie for yourself– it has too much sugar for your goats!