Affectionate pets that can happily live outdoors

Article
w/ith permission By Jennifer Gardner

You’d like a friendly, affectionate pet that can happily live outdoors and has a use besides looking cute. Have you considered a goat?

Pygmy goats — the small ones — are growing increasingly popular as pets. “Small” goats still weigh between 35 and 50 pounds for females and 40 to 60 pounds for males, so they’re not exactly tiny. (But they’re small compared to adult dairy goats — males can reach 300 pounds.) The Pygmy goats have been bred for good personalities and tend to enjoy hanging out with humans and being petted.

And actually, you’d need a pair of goats. Goats are very social and it’s a great idea to keep more than one so they have each other for company. It’s preferable to get two of the same gender or get your male neutered unless you want to have more goats — Pygmies are good breeders and can have up to four babies a year. Male goats also should be neutered so they do not get too aggressive as they become mature.

Besides being neutered, there are a couple other medical things you need to do for your pet goats. The males can produce a not-so- pleasant smell and can be “descented” through removal of the gland causing the odor. They can also have their horns removed (called “debudding“) so they can’t hurt people or other goats. These procedures should all be done early in the goat’s life (in the first three weeks); check with your veterinarian about the proper timing.

Goats also need their hooves trimmed. You can learn to do this, but if you have little experience with goats, it’s best to get help for this from your vet, too. If the hooves grow too long, they can make it hard for your goat to walk properly. Finally, goats can be vaccinated for some common diseases, and do best when given annual check-ups from a vet.

You do need a little bit of property and a shelter for them, but they can help out around the yard by eating blackberry vines and other unwanted foliage.

They do need a draft-free yet properly ventilated structure to sleep in, preferably with sleeping areas off the floor where they can jump around and sleep. A hay manger to keep the hay off the floor and a source of clean water should be available at all times.

Hay can also be used as bedding; in cold temperatures the goats may even like their own blankets.

The goats should also have a fenced area where they can forage and play. Fencing that’s at least 4 feet high should keep most Pygmy goats in. They do need a lot of exercise, so give them as much space as you can. They should also have some shade if their housing is not in the fenced enclosure.

Be cautious about what’s growing in their area, as they may eat it — you don’t want to have any poisonous or ornamental plants growing in the goats’ space. The pen should also be secure enough to protect the goats from stray dogs or any wild animals that might cause them harm, but shouldn’t use barbed wire or anything that could hurt the goat.

It’s best to always put them in their secure housing at night.

Some people do keep the Pygmy goats in the house, and that’s great too. I understand that they can be housebroken, although it takes a lot of patience. Even if they are allowed indoors, the goats still need room to run and forage outside.

Goats like to eat a variety of foraged food (like the blackberries), a good quality hay and a grain or pellet mix created specially for goats. Feeds made for other animals, like horses and cows, may have more copper than is good for a goat. Some goat owners also supplement with a salt and mineral block that provides calcium, phosphorus and selenium that goats need.

This is a bit of a balancing act — you need to take into account the nutrition levels in the forage they’re eating, which can vary from place to place. Goats without the proper mix of minerals can develop urinary stones.

Don’t forget to groom your goats. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time with them, you’ll want them to look and smell their best. Brush them frequently with a stiff-bristled dog brush. Bathe them as needed, and talk to your vet about the proper treatments to prevent lice and fleas.

As with any pet that you’re considering, do your research first. Talk to people who own goats, 4-H groups, a livestock veterinarian, etc., to learn about their specific care requirements and pick up tips about their care.

Photo of "Silver the Pygmy Goat" by Kathy, Community Manager