When it comes to the dietary habits of goats, their reputation as versatile and curious eaters precedes them.
While homestead goats are well-known for grazing on a variety of plants, their willingness to explore different foods extends to dairy products as well. Among these, yogurt has garnered attention for its potential benefits and nutritional value for goats.
But not all goats can stomach yogurt! Read on to learn more about our experience on how, and when, to offer yogurt to your goats.
Can Goats Eat Dairy Products
Dairy products have been a topic of interest when it comes to feeding goats. As mammals, goats can digest dairy, as it is their first and primary food source as immature kids. However, a mature goat’s ability to digest dairy can vary.
Most mammals, including goats, naturally lose the ability to break down lactose as they mature and wean from their mother’s milk. This means most mature goats are technically lactose intolerant.
Is Yogurt Safe For Goats
Yes, although most adult goats cannot break down lactose, yogurt can be safely consumed by goats in moderation.
Unlike some other dairy products, yogurt contains live bacterial cultures that aid in the digestion of lactose, making it a potentially more tolerable dairy option.
That said, we don’t suggest offering yogurt to your goats often; we only give it to our goats as a treat. And not all yogurt varieties are suitable, there are lots of precautions to take!
Sweetened and flavored yogurts are more likely to disrupt your goat’s four stomach digestive system and do not always contain live cultures, so stay away from this type of yogurt.
Health Benefits Of Yogurt
We suggest offering your goats plain yogurt. Unsweetened and unflavored yogurt is the easiest for them to break down and will provide the most potent probiotic properties.
In fact, the probiotics within yogurt is the primary reason to offer this treat to goats in the first place!
As ruminants, goats depend upon bacterias living within their rumen to break down the coarse, fibrous plant material they eat. Without healthy gut bacteria, goats will be unable to absorb nutrients, suffer from malnutrition, a weakened immune system, and experience unhealthy weight loss.
Furthermore, yogurt is a good source of calcium and protein, both of which are essential for goat health. Calcium is vital for strong bones and milk production in pregnant and lactating nannies, while protein supports muscle growth and tissue repair.
However, do not offer yogurt as a primary source of nutrients or protein to your goats. It simply cannot meet their nutritional requirements, is indigestible in large amounts, and lacks fiber, which is the number one nutrient for goats!
When To Offer Yogurt To Goats
We offer our adult goats a bit of yogurt as a first response if they seem to be having general digestive issues. We monitor their response and have found that the yogurt’s probiotic boost often sets them right.
Yogurt can be offered as a standalone treat or mixed into your goats’ regular feed. I like to mix a few tablespoons of yogurt in with other natural prebiotic foods like hay and vegetables, as this makes it easier to digest.
We have also frozen yogurt into small cubes and offered them as a refreshing summertime treat and creative enrichment activity!
Note: as with all new foods, when introducing yogurt to goats’ diets, a gradual transition is recommended. Goats have sensitive digestive systems, and sudden changes in their diet can lead to digestive upset. Start by offering a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of plain, unsweetened yogurt mixed with their regular feed. This allows their digestive system to acclimate to the new addition without causing distress.
What Type Of Yogurt Can Goats Eat Safely
As stated, it’s best to opt for plain, unsweetened yogurt with live and active cultures for goats.
We always avoid flavored or sweetened varieties. In fact, I usually buy plain Greek yogurt, as this type packs more protein and probiotics!
Can Baby Goats Have Yogurt
Yes, baby goats can technically eat yogurt. In fact, they will be able to digest it better than adults as they have yet to lose their ability to break down lactose.
However, we have not offered our baby or immature goats yogurt. We prefer to allow them to go through the digestive transition from milk to solid foods on their own, only bringing yogurt in after the fact as a supplement. Although, some goat owners we know do offer it to their kid goats as a supplemental source of nutrition and probiotics as they grow.
What Is A Natural Prebiotic For Goats
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics, promoting their growth and activity.
While yogurt provides probiotics, certain foods can serve as natural prebiotics for goats. High-fiber foods such as hay, fresh vegetables, and some fruits (in moderation) can act as prebiotics, nourishing the beneficial bacteria in goats’ digestive systems.
This is why I always mix the probiotic yogurt in with our goats’ other foods – offering both probiotics and prebiotics in the same meal!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Goats Have Yogurt
What Human Food Can Goats Eat?
Goats are browsing herbivores and can actually eat a number of the same veggies, fruits, and grains that we humans eat.
For example, some great treats and dietary supplements for your goats include:
- Strawberries
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Pumpkin
- Cucumbers
Browse our post archive for more information on just what foods goats can eat!
Final Thoughts On Can Goats Eat Yogurt
The bottom line is that, although most mature goats are lactose intolerant, they can safely consume small amounts of yogurt as part of a balanced diet!
Plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures offers probiotics, calcium, and protein to your mature goats. And while we do not suggest giving yogurt to immature goats, feel free to chat with your local veterinarian about that, we have found our to be a wellspring of knowledge.
Finally, just like with any food, moderation and gradual introduction is key to keeping your goats happy, safe, and healthy!