Goats have the reputation of being able to stomach almost
anything; in fact, they’re commonly used for weed
control in landscapes, but are there any plants poisonous to goats? The
truth is there are quite a number of plants goats can’t eat. It’s important to
learn to recognize plants that are toxic to goats and how to address the
symptoms. Read on to learn about poisonous plants for goats to avoid.
Are Any Plants Poisonous to Goats?
There are more than 700 species of plants in the United States that have been recognized as causing toxicity in ruminants. Plants dangerous to goats are more likely to be ingested when the animals are near starvation and eat plants they normally would avoid, however, that isn’t the only time a goat will feed on toxic plant life.
Goats are often used in the clearing of woodlands and
wetlands, thus exposing them to casual ingestion of plants that are toxic to
goats. Sometimes hay contains dried toxic weeds which can poison a goat.
Poisonous plants for goats may also be eaten when they are allowed to feed on
landscape or garden plants.
Poisonous Plants for Goats
There are few plants goats can’t eat; the more important
consideration is those they shouldn’t eat. Not every poisonous plant is deadly,
as many have various levels of toxicity causing different effects. Some can be
immediate while others may be cumulative and build up in the body over time.
The type of poisonous plant and the amount the animal has ingested will
determine the level of toxicity.
Plants toxic to goats that should be avoided include:
Garden/Landscape Plants
Shrubs/Trees
Weeds/Grasses
- Water Hemlock
Additional plants dangerous to goats that are not likely to
cause a severe reaction but may make the animal uncomfortable include:
Goats have the reputation of being able to stomach almost
anything; in fact, they’re commonly used for weed
control in landscapes, but are there any plants poisonous to goats? The
truth is there are quite a number of plants goats can’t eat. It’s important to
learn to recognize plants that are toxic to goats and how to address the
symptoms. Read on to learn about poisonous plants for goats to avoid.
Are Any Plants Poisonous to Goats?
There are more than 700 species of plants in the United States that have been recognized as causing toxicity in ruminants. Plants dangerous to goats are more likely to be ingested when the animals are near starvation and eat plants they normally would avoid, however, that isn’t the only time a goat will feed on toxic plant life.
Goats are often used in the clearing of woodlands and
wetlands, thus exposing them to casual ingestion of plants that are toxic to
goats. Sometimes hay contains dried toxic weeds which can poison a goat.
Poisonous plants for goats may also be eaten when they are allowed to feed on
landscape or garden plants.
Poisonous Plants for Goats
There are few plants goats can’t eat; the more important
consideration is those they shouldn’t eat. Not every poisonous plant is deadly,
as many have various levels of toxicity causing different effects. Some can be
immediate while others may be cumulative and build up in the body over time.
The type of poisonous plant and the amount the animal has ingested will
determine the level of toxicity.
Plants toxic to goats that should be avoided include:
Garden/Landscape Plants
Shrubs/Trees
Weeds/Grasses
- Water Hemlock
Additional plants dangerous to goats that are not likely to
cause a severe reaction but may make the animal uncomfortable include: