Have you thought about keeping a goat as a pet? If so, let me do two things:
- help you decide if it’s the right thing for you to do; and, having decided,
- advise the best way to go about it.
I am an experienced goat-keeper and feel qualified to help you.
Is a Goat the Pet for You?
A goat is a domestic animal, but it is not an animal that can be domesticated. Occasionally, you hear about people who have their goats in the house, but I really don’t recommend it – they pee when frightened – so if somebody rings the doorbell or drops a heavy book – watch out for your carpets!
A goat is a herd animal and so will be lonely on its own. Therefore, ideally, you will need at least two goats.
Goats as kids are really pretty and enticing; even the males. But male goats grow up into very big strong billy goats that smell. You can have the males castrated, but they will still display their instinctive aggression.
Pygmy or dwarf goats are small and easily handled. They come in all sizes and colours and are very easy to find for sale and comparatively cheap to buy.
Pedigree breeds of goat will obviously cost you more, and because they are bigger, will be more expensive to feed and care for.
If you want to milk your goat, she will first have to produce kids. You then have the worry about what you will do with these offspring!
Goats are not lawnmowers!
The number of times I have heard people say to me that they intend to buy a goat to keep the grass down, and each time I have to say the it is sheep that will do that job. Goats are browsers not grazers. They will trim your shrubs, the trees, the vegetables – even the clothes line. They may even nibble a bit of the lawn, but hey like to roam along picking a little bit of this and a little bit of that.
Goats need a continuous supply of hay and straw Do you know where you can obtain them? They need concentrated food or cereals and fresh water.
They are escapologists par excellence! I have spent numerous hours repairing fences, fixing holes and removing footholds. If there is a way to get out of their enclosure – they will find it. They can jump vertical heights that you wouldn’t believe possible.
So you still want one? Good for you! They are wonderful, intelligent creatures that are great fun to be with. They provide hours of entertainment and companionship. But remember, you have to care for them in all weathers, taking out food and warm water when the temperature falls below zero, and making sure they are never left out in the rain because their coats are not waterproof.
Lois Tuffield - Freelance writer living and writing in rural France; main interest in animals (particularly goats and cats) and vegetarian cookery.
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