Raising Goats As Pets – Vital Pointers To Reflect On When Keeping Goats
Image by Kristin Brenemen
This is Joe. He’s some far-flung relative I hear. These are two 4-week-old orphan goats that they’re raising. Baby goats bleat often and endearingly.
Article by Ted Allen
Raising goats as pets may sound odd but goats traveled long to get to their status today. Goats are traditionally classified as farm animals until the turn of the century when some people who love exotic pets chose goats as house companion.
About 10,000 years ago, goats were mainly domesticated animals. They are kept by Neolithic farmers as source of food – meat and milk – and useful materials such as clothing, utensils. The goats dung was used for making fuel. Raising goats as pets at home is no longer news to the circle of exotic pet lovers but these people have good reasons to want them at home.
One of the good characteristics that appeal to pet lovers is that goats are naturally friendly, sociable, and curious. Apart from this, many also find their appearance darkly profound yet amiable because of their big eyes. Depending on the breed, the goats’ look varies.
Raising goats as pets is not a very complicated job. Sometimes it can be fun even for kids. One just has to keep in mind the general and basic goat care to prolong their life expectancy and enjoy their company. At most, a goat’s life may last up to 15 years or more. Like choosing dogs, you as the owner must determine why you want to get a goat as a pet instead of a dog or a cat. Once your true intention is realized, that is the only time you can choose your breed as each also has their own characteristics.
Another thing is the number of goats you plan to get. For your information, these are sociable mammals that do not like being alone. They love having companion to share their curiosity with and keeping only one would make them feel upset in the long run. Having a pet male goat (buck) also means having a female goat (doe). If you are not really after raising a herd, you can get two males or two females instead.
Learning how to raise goats as pets mean taking responsibility and commitment. If you have chosen a goat to be your pet, you must also be ready for their innate habits. Remember that they are popular for their ceaseless chewing. They can chew on anything from grass to tin cans. Goats practically anything they find and the grass on your lawn is no exception.
The goats’ shelter would also be an important thing to take care of. You must know that goats are not sensitive animals but they should be provided a comfortable abode. Give them a moderately cool place to live in where they are protected from extreme heat and they would not get wet when during the rain. An occasional check-up would also be something to be ready for to protect them from diseases.
These are just some of the important things to reflect on in raising goats as pets. Just remember that goats are like other animals that need appropriate care to make your friendship last longer.
