Pet goat?

[Haviris]

Generally two is better then one, however I have had bottle raised goats that were just as happy living w/ dogs. This would assume you have a nice goat friendly dog that will live in the yard w/ the goat 24/7. They are herd animals and want to be w/ their herd at all times.

A good sized yard will be fine for a goat (or goats), but like others have said if you have something you don't want them to eat, that is what they will eat first!

They can be housebroke to a degree, they can be trained to pee outside, or even more like litterbox training, however, although I've heard of it being done, so far I've not known any personally that were trained where to poop. Now I can tell you young goats in the house are not near as cute and fun as you'd imagine, at about 2 weeks they are jumping and climping on everything, and they like paper, books, magazines, newspapers, notebooks, and loose paper, all in danger. Also house plants. They can be very destructive, and they start earlier then you might think!

As for a setup, you will need a good shelter, and in winter they will need hay, I keep hay avaliable 24/7 in the winter, and you will need something to put the hay in, they don't like hay that has been on the ground and can be wasteful. If you have enough forage you don't need to hay in the summer. They also need fresh clean water available at all times.

And BEFORE bringing the goats home it is a good idea to find a vet that knows goats, not as easy as you might think (atleast not for most). They will also need their hooves kept trimmed.

Now I've had both pygmies and nigis, and I prefer nigis.

I'm sure I"m forgeting alot, but I'm assuming you will also be doing your own research, and maybe others will cover what I'm forgetting.

 

[KinderKorner]

Here is my dear Goatie

This was her all dressed up to go to a Christmas Parade.

And here she was years ago when she was sooo cute.

 

[19hhbelgian]

Quote:
Actually, I met somebody who got a goat (pygmy), rather than a dog. They actually considered either a goat or a pig. This goat was pretty much just like a dog. It was house trained, went in the truck with them, walked on a leash better than at least my dogs

, and was absolutely in love with their son. This was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! They said they spent a lot of time training her to go outside to go to the bathroom, but she does, and she is a wonderful pet for them.

Me, I wouldn't have my goats in the house. Plus, if you don't become their buddy "goat", they will be lonely. Goats are a hered animal, and like company of another goat. I adore my goats, but I also think if they don't have enough room and something to keep them busy, they will find something to keep them occupied... And it might not make you happy.

 

[KinderKorner]

Yes my goat was raised up as my 'dog' because I lost my dog when he got ran over. He was my very best friend I had had him for years. It pained me really bad, still does. But I used her to help me pull through it. And she became much better than I ever expected. She is truely in love with me, and is so much better behaved than most dogs. (including mine)

But yes. After doing it myself. Goats in the house isn't a good mix. But sometimes I still wish Goatie could come in and sleep with me. Although she weighs nearly as much as I do now.

 

[username taken]

KinderKorner ... your story touched me so much, I am sitting here in tears.

Your story reads basically word for word like mine.

This is my soulmate - an angora wether named Gizmo.

Until I read your post, I had never found anyone who understood the relationship I have with this goat.

Thanks ... for getting it.

 

[KinderKorner]

No problem. I am sooo glad I'm not the only one out there.

Around here everyone hates Goatie because she is nasty to anyone but me. They just can't understand why I love her so incredibly much.

Me and her share a special bond we really do. The other goats go out and eat in the pasture daily. (She doesn't go with them, instead she waits until they get back then goes so she doesn't have to spend any time with them) And she sits there and waits for me, and I come and talk to her, and she nahs a reply everytime I say something. And she looks up at me with very wise eyes. I truely feel she understands.

When I am upset or life isn't going my way, I go out there in the middle of the night and cry to her. With her head on my lap. (She tries to sit on me but she is really to big when she weighs 95 pounds, and I only 105. So she can't really fit.)) She just calmly lets me bawl my eyes out all over her.

When she is out doing something, if I yell for her. She comes running at full speed with her little ears flopping, and giving some answering nahs back.

She is my best friend. We understand each other, her and I. Better than any one else could ever know. You may think I'm crazy. But after having lots of struggles, and bad times, including ongoing heart defects, and a rare uncurable lung diease. It's really nice to go outside, pet her little head and just forget about what tomorrow will bring.

Aww. Now I want to go scratch my little goatie. And it's 1am. Looks like I will be making a trip out to the barn.

 

[username taken]

I dont think you are crazy. Again, every word you wrote rings true to me and my guy too.

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
Actually, I met somebody who got a goat (pygmy), rather than a dog. They actually considered either a goat or a pig. This goat was pretty much just like a dog. It was house trained, went in the truck with them, walked on a leash better than at least my dogs

, and was absolutely in love with their son. This was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time! They said they spent a lot of time training her to go outside to go to the bathroom, but she does, and she is a wonderful pet for them.

Me, I wouldn't have my goats in the house. Plus, if you don't become their buddy "goat", they will be lonely. Goats are a hered animal, and like company of another goat. I adore my goats, but I also think if they don't have enough room and something to keep them busy, they will find something to keep them occupied... And it might not make you happy.

it's still livestock...lol It might act like a dog but it's still a goat! My goats stay outside, i walk them on a leash , they follow me around, stalk me, give me the I LOVE YOU look, play tagg ,but at the end of the day they are still goats.
And like i said, you can have them in the house when little! Diapers on them etc, but when they get bigger they need to be outside! they will eat everything including your favorite tye dye dress

RIP my favorite tye dye 2/3/09-5/4/09
May your bright colors shine in heaven

 

[aaronzclark]

Quote:
I dont agree!Nigerians are way better then pygmies

They're feed to milk ratio is #1 making them cost effecient~

Pygmies are still better and make the better pet

 

[cutiepieacres]

I have pygmies and they really do make awesome pets. Purebred pygmies are bred to have a "pet like" people loving disposition. When we have bottle babies they stay in the house and they do usually potty train themselves pretty quick. I actually litter box trained one once. They will sleep on the couch and cuddle up to watch tv at night and they LOVE their people. We keep them bathed weekly so they smell pretty inside the house, they wont pick up that goatie smell if kept clean. Eventually they do go outside into the goat pen when old enough but they still keep their same loving personality.

I have taken some of the really calm and special babies who appreciate car rides to the park, petstore, costume contests, etc. They just love to be with me and go wherever I go.