Can Goats Eat Strawberries? Feeding Facts & FAQ

Goats are notorious for having stomachs of iron and eating everything in their path with no consequence. But, in actuality, this is not always the case. Goats have plenty of foods that should never be on the menu.

So, if you have some tasty strawberries, can you share them with your goat? The quick answer here is—yes! Strawberries have tons of rich nutrients that benefit your goat’s overall digestive system. Let’s take a closer look.

Strawberry Nutrition Facts

The 4 Types of Strawberries

You can feed your goat strawberries from a variety of sources. They may happen upon some wild strawberries during grazing, but you’ll likely be the one to serve this fruit most of the time.

1. Wild Strawberries

Your goat won’t have any trouble foraging for wild strawberries on their own. But if you find some, you can pick up and offer your goat a few.

2. Store-Bought Strawberries

You can feed your goats store-bought strawberries, but make sure to wash them thoroughly first. Many store-bought strawberries are treated with pesticides and chemicals that can make your goat sick.

3. Organic Strawberries

You can purchase organic strawberries at the store, but they don’t add chemicals or pesticides.

4. Garden-Grown Strawberries

Garden-grown strawberries are a wholesome delight that your goat might get into before they’ve even been formally offered. Because you grow them, you’re well aware of any risks associated with pesticides and can wash them as needed.

Health Benefits of Strawberries for Goats

Strawberries are an antioxidant-rich fruit that is fat, sodium, and cholesterol-free. It does all sorts of wonderful things for your goat’s digestive system when fed in moderation.

These fruits are packed with vitamin C that will boost your goat’s immune system and promote healthy heart function. Potassium helps to lower blood pressure and regulate the heart, too.

Like most items on the goat menu, strawberries also have all kinds of natural fiber to regulate their digestive tracts.

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Concerns Feeding Strawberries to Goats

Even though there are a few downfalls of adding strawberries into your goat’s diet, some of them deserve to be mentioned.

First, strawberries are very high in natural sugar. Even though a few are totally fine when practicing moderation, sugar can contribute to negative things like weight gain and water retention.

Also, remember that strawberries are merely a dessert for your goat. In no way should strawberries be a meal replacement, as they don’t have the correct nutrients to keep your goat healthy long-term.

Do Goats Like Strawberries?

Goats sometimes like strawberries. However, strawberries tend to be sour and sweet. Many goats don’t care for the sour taste and might not take the fruit.

Don’t worry—it won’t be a mystery. Your goat will happily tell you whether they liked the taste or don’t. Goats typically aren’t shy about turning down a snack if they disapprove.

However, many goats do enjoy a nice, sweet strawberry now and again. They also love other delicious fruits and veggies, so don’t be afraid to offer variety.

Use Strawberries for Motivation During Training

If you’re working with your goat, strawberries might be a terrific motivational treat. You can spruce it up, too! Cut up a few other delicious fruits and veggies to make a small medley of treats.

You can use treats as a positive reinforcement as you teach your goat to walk on a lead or even more advanced training. Your goat, much like canine buddies, can learn to sit, shake, jump, and walk on their hind legs.

Or you could just do this as a way to bond with your goat. You can give them a nice scratch while offering up delicious items for them to enjoy. Just make sure not to overdo it.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know that strawberries can be a very fantastic fresh fruit to add to your goat’s diet. However, you want to make sure you’re giving them the right portions, and they should always be chemical-free, so wash, wash, wash.

Your goat will definitely enjoy eating these delicious berries—and you can even share! If your goat doesn’t like the sweet and sour taste of a strawberry, you can choose from a wide selection of other tasty fruits and veggies instead.

Featured Image Credit: FilipFilipovic, Pixabay