Goats are traditionally thought to be farm animals but believe it or not they make good pets. Most people think that farm animals are either used to give milk or to be treated as meat but little do they realize the fact that farm animals such as cows or goats also make good pets. Goats are a hit in petting zoos and their curious and friendly nature makes them a good pet for children. Most pets have the habit of kicking, scratching or biting when they are annoyed but goats do no such thing. Majority of the goats that are kept as pets are dehorned from a young age so as to prevent any injuries. Goats should be obtained as bottle babies so that the children in the family can adapt well with their goats and this also helps to form a bond between the pet and its owner. This bond of love and trust is very important to train a goat. Goats also make good pets to children with Down syndrome who need the one on one interaction with a pet without the fear of any injuries. Goats like dogs love to follow their owners around and can play with them for a long time. As adults goats become calm and patient.

Goats by nature are herd animals so keeping a solitary goat is not a good idea. A pair of goats will be a very nice addition to your family. Goats should mostly be kept as pets in rural areas because a decent amount of land is required to house them though this depends mostly on the number and breed of the goats. Goats like any other pet need your attention and love. Just because they are farm animals doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be taken care of. Goats are susceptible to a number of chronic illnesses and infections so make sure to find a reputed vet to treat your goat. Vaccinations and other preventive treatments for worms and other parasites are also necessary.

Before you buy your pet goat from a breeder make sure to go and visit your breeder to see in what conditions the goats are being kept. Goats think like goats and not like dogs or cats. So learn to understand your pet and make it happy. Keep the food and water in such a place that it is easily accessible to the goats. If you think your pet goat is being stubborn then look at it from your goat’s point of view. Make sure the fences around your goat’s shelter are strong because for goats the grass is always greener on the other side. Any weak point in the fence and your goat will escape, wander around and then will probably get lost so make sure to repair any weak spot in your fences immediately.

Goats like cows are ruminants so they should be pot bellied. A big rumen does not mean that your goat is fat or obese. It simply means that you have a healthy goat. Pygmy goats are mostly kept as pets due to their small size which makes it easier to care for them. They are small and adorable which makes them a favourite among other breeds. Kinder goats, a cross between Nubian and pygmy goats have also started being in demand. They are smart, easy to train and love to spend time with their owners. They are also great entertainers. Goats make wonderful companion not only to their humans but also to other animals. Some pet goats also have the responsibility to provide company to farm dogs.

Petting their goat proves to be a stress buster to the owners and goats like other pets help to relieve tension and provide relaxation. Goats can sometimes be messy and picky eaters. Given the opportunity they can also be destructive. The best way to prevent this is to train your goat properly. Goats are not grazers but browsers. They cannot be called a lawnmower with legs. A goat will probably eat all your plants and flowers before it decides to browse on the grass. Never think of bringing a wild goat and then taming it because that will be next to impossible. To win the trust of your pet goat you will need a lot of patience and treats. Don’t try to run and catch your goat. Being prey animals their first instinct will be to run. Let your goat approach you and when it does offer it a raisin or corn chip. The younger the goat the easier it will be to train it.

Before you decide to buy or adopt a goat stop and think about the kind of pet you want. If you want a pet that sits on your lap and watches the television or the kind that fetches the newspaper for you in the morning then the goat is not the pet for you. Even keeping a goat indoors is a bad idea as they chew and much on everything. Goats need to stay outdoors and they need a stable or shelter outside. Before buying a goat remember the fact that the goat is an outdoor animal and though it will love and recognize you it is no cat or dog.

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