Is It Safe To Feed Goats Grapes
Yes, without a doubt grapes are a goat-safe fruit. As botanical members of the Vitaceae plant family, grapes are native to northern temperate zones of the globe and have been used for millennia as a source of both food and beverage for humans and food for many other animals.
Nutritional Content: Grapes For Goats
The sole characteristic of grapes that has discouraged us from offering them as frequent snacks and treats to our goats is the natural and unavoidable high sugar quality of these fruits.
While green and red rapes do contain slightly different amounts of sugar (16.1g to 17.3g per 100g respectively), grapes as a whole boast one of the most concentrated sugar contents of the edible fruits!
Grapes are often praised for the number of vitamins and minerals they contain, such as:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Copper
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
As well as a host of natural antioxidants found within their skin and seeds that can support a healthy heart, protect the body against cancer, and boost the immune system, among other benefits.
However, before we automatically assume these benefits carry over to goats, we must realize that the digestive system and dietary needs of goats are very different from other common pets or homestead animals.
For example, goats can synthesize their own vitamin C and K in their rumen, which is a section of their unique four-stomach digestive system, and do not require these vitamins in their diet.
Our Experience With Best Diet For Homestead Goats
Goats are most known for the quantity of coarse, fibrous plant material they require.
As ruminants, they have the capacity to ingest high quantities of low quality plant material and harvest surprising amounts of energy and nutrients from it.
This is why weaned, mature goats require about 12-35% in foraged nutrients and 86-92% in hay and concentrates.
For this exact reason, we offer our goats a rotating pasture where they can freely forage for foodstuff. We have also had great success ensuring our goats have free access to hay; in fact we never limit their hay intake as this food is complete fiber and very beneficial!
Now we do of course supplement our goats’ diets with appropriate pellets, especially in cold winter months when there isn’t so much green stuff, as well as goat-safe veggies, fruits, and herbs.
But one ingredient that we do our best to stay away from are foods or treats for our goats that are high in sugar. Too much sugar will cause serious digestive imbalance and upset in your goats, which can lead to bloating, dehydration, and poor eating habits.
This is why we feel that grapes’ high sugar nature trumps any potential benefits from their mineral and antioxidant content.
Instead, we opt for equally nutritious but not so sugary fruit treats such as kiwi (which has about half the amount of sugar per serving as grapes!).
How To Feed Your Goats Grapes
If you do decide to offer your goats some grapes, it is important to know how to best go about it.
When it comes to fruits and veggies, washing and examining them is essential:
- Washing fruit will remove any residual dust, dirt, insects, or pesticides that could harm your goat.
- Examining the fruit will allow you to first remove any wilted or overripe fruit before offering the treat to your goats; wilted and overripe fruit often harbor fungi or bacterias that can be dangerous to ingest.
Finally, you will avoid choking hazards by making sure everything is relatively bite sized. While grapes themselves are just the right size, you may want to cut up any stems, vines, or branches that you offer your goats.
Can Goats Eat Grapes With Seeds
What type of grapes can goats have?
Great question: goats can eat all types of fresh, raw grapes.
This includes red, green, and purple grapes as well as seedless grapes varieties.
The type of grape you DON’T want to offer your goat are any that have been dried, cooked, or otherwise processed: Dried fruits can be harder to digest while cooked or heated fruits are naturally chemically altered and contain different nutrients than their raw counterparts.
Can Goats Have Grapevines and Grape Leaves
Yes, grape vines and grape leaves are great foraging material for your goats.
In fact, the grape plant contains two carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin which are not found in all plant food sources and which are important for eye health.
Can Baby Goats Have Grapes
Yes, technically any goat that is fully weaned or that is foraging for at least ⅔ of its diet can eat grapes.
But remember, grapes are very high in sugars so we do not consider them a great first treat for newly weaned goats!
What Fruits Can Goats Eat
As herbivores, goats can eat a wide range of fruits and plant parts, especially those which are low in sugar and offer an array of vitamins and minerals.
Note that many modern fruits have been cultivated to contain more sugars and may not be the best for your goats, and that many fruits we humans can enjoy are potentially toxic to goats.
Read more about fruits goats can eat in our goats post archive!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Goats Have Grapes
Can Goats Eat Grapes and Raisins?
While goats can technically eat both grapes and raisins, raw grapes are quite high in sugars and dried raisins often contain even more, which makes them a less than ideal treat for goats.
Can Goats Eat Blueberries?
Yes, blueberries are especially healthy and tasty treats for goats. Read more about how your goats can benefit from blueberries in our post Can Goats Eat Blueberries.
For inspiration on homemade goat treats, check this quick video out!
Final Thoughts On Can Goats Eat Grapes
When it comes down to it, grapes may not be the most ideal treat option for your goats because of the high sugars they contain.
Although many other sources talk about the health benefits grapes offer goats, your goats would have to eat high quantities of this sugary fruit in order to experience said benefits, which would be negated anyway by the issues caused from ingesting so much sugar!
So we recommend instead opting for a fruit treat that is equally nutritious and lower in sugar. Feel free to learn more about fruits for goats by browsing our post archive!