If you are looking for a new pet to add to your family, you should consider getting a pygmy goat.
Pygmy goats are one of the cutest and most charming animals you will ever come across. Besides their adorable and playful nature, they also make wonderful pets and are known to be great milk producers.
Pygmy goats are typically smaller than other breeds of goats, standing between 16 and 23 inches tall at the shoulder. While they are still considered livestock animals, they can also be kept as pets in a variety of climates if their basic needs are met, such as shelter and fresh hay for bedding. With proper care, pygmy goats can live up to 15 years.
Pygmy goats love spending time with humans and are very sociable, making them great companions for people of all ages.
Pygmy goats also enjoy the company of other goats and make excellent playmates for children as well as other pets in the household.
- Personality and Behaviour: Pygmy goats are sociable and friendly animals, they will soon become part of the family as they are easy to bond with. They have a very laid-back nature, which means they are ideal for families with children. Whether you have a large or small family, everyone will love them. Pygmy goats are also vocal creatures, as they can communicate with their owners through bleating.
- Feeding: Pygmy goats need to be fed daily with fresh hay and grains, as well as with a regular supply of water. They are browsers and will nibble on bushes and grass, which can help them achieve a natural diet. You can supplement their diet by offering them fruit, vegetables, and treats like raisins or carrots. Because of their small size, Pygmy goats don’t require large pastures to graze on, but they do need an enclosed area to exercise.
- Grooming: Pygmy goats have a thick coat that should be brushed regularly to help remove dirt, dead hair, and prevent matting. They also require their hooves trimmed every six to eight weeks, and a copper bolus treatment administered every six months to prevent anemia. The good news is that they are relatively easy to take care of, and owners can handle these tasks themselves with a little guidance.
- Housing: Pygmy goats don’t require a lot of space and can be kept in a backyard as long as they have access to an enclosed area outdoors. They’re not very good at climbing, so fencing should be at least four feet in height. They’ll need a sheltered area they can hide from the rain or sun, and it’s best to have a slightly elevated floor to prevent dampness in the winter.
- Health: Like any pet, Pygmy goats need regular check-ups to maintain their health and well-being. They are susceptible to worms and parasites, so they’ll need to be treated for this on a regular basis by their vet. Additionally, goats have specific vaccination requirements, so you’ll need to be up to date with all of the necessary injections.
Do Pygmy Goats Stay Small?
Pygmy goats are actually the smallest breed of goat out there. Typically, males can reach up to 70 pounds and two feet in height, while females grow up to 22 inches tall and weigh no more than 60 pounds.
Pygmy goats can stay small if they are carefully taken care of and receive proper nutrition throughout their life. If you want your pygmy goat to stay small, make sure that it has plenty of access to fresh hay and grass, as well as a healthy diet.
One factor that can affect a pygmy goat’s size is its age. Pygmy goats reach full maturity at around 2-3 years old. Before then, they’ll go through growth spurts and may seem to be getting larger, but their growth will typically slow down once they reach adulthood. However, this doesn’t mean that pygmy goats won’t continue to fill out.
With good nutrition and exercise, they can develop more muscle and appear larger, but they won’t reach full-sized goat proportions.
Another factor to consider is breeding. Although pygmy goats are small, they are still capable of breeding with full-sized goats. If they do have offspring with a larger goat, those kids may not stay small like their pygmy parent. However, if two pygmy goats breed, their offspring will be pygmy goats as well.
It’s important to note that even though pygmy goats stay small, they still require the same level of care and attention as full-sized goats. They need shelter, adequate fencing, proper nutrition, and regular health check-ups to ensure they stay healthy.
Pygmy goats are also social animals and need companionship, so it’s recommended to have at least two goats together.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a friendly, affectionate companion that can keep up with you, even in a small area, then a Pygmy goat could be the perfect pet. They’re entertaining, easy to care for, smart, and a joy to be around.
Overall, yes, a pygmy goat is a great choice for a pet, but it’s important to do your research and keep in mind that they do require a lot of love and attention.
So, if you’re looking for a good-natured companion that will make a great addition to your family, consider a pygmy goat.
