Raising pygmy goats as pets is very popular in some countries. Pygmy goats are very popular as pets mainly for their small size and very friendly nature. Although you will get different views from different people about raising pygmy goats as pets.
That is solely because different people look for different things in their pets. And all types of animal may not be the best or most ideal pets for everyone. But pygmy goats are really cute and they might be best for you as pets.
They are smaller in size, easily managed and very friendly with humans. Before raising pygmy goats or any other animals as pets, you must have to learn about the animal perfectly.
Raising Pygmy Goats as Pets
If you are thinking about raising pygmy goats as pets in your house, then you must have to know a few things about them. Try to match the habits, needs, personality and temperament of pygmy goats with what you are expecting and what facilities you can provide to the goats.
No one want to see an unhappy pet, and it’s absolutely a sorry sight. So your pets must have to be curious, happy, mischievous and playful. Consider raising pygmy goats as pets, if you are sure that you can keep them happy.
Here we have described about some typical characteristics of pygmy goats that you need to match with your demands from a pet. If most of these match with you, then pygmies are good choice as pets for you.
Consider raising a pair or more pygmies as pets. Because single pygmy can be unhappy and make a sorry sight. Pygmies are smaller in size, but they are extremely social and they require the company of other pygmies or animals.
Your cows, donkeys or horses can also be their good company to stay happy. So if you don’t have the facilities and resources for raising more than one pygmy goats as pets, then this animal is not perfect for you and you should not be having them as pets.
Physical Attractions
As we have mentioned earlier, pygmy goats are different from other normal goats in the body size and structure. They are of uniquely stocky look with compact, muscular and small size.
An adult pygmy goat weights about 75 pounds and stand about 16 to 23 inches at the shoulder.
They come with a wide variety of colors. Usually they are found in agouti, black, tan, white or mixed colored coats. One notable thing about pygmy goat is their babies. Pygmy goat’s babies are too cute to resist.
Temperamental Moods
Every pygmy goat has a distinct personality. And each goat will have specifically distinct requirements. But most of them are friendly, although all of them might not be delighted to see you.
Not all pygmies will welcome you home like a faithful pet dog, and absolutely not all will be delightfully pleasant companions. But most of them are congenial and docile.
Usually females and castrated bucks are docile and are of good nature. And the bucks are a little more independent, obstinate and stubborn. So for raising pygmy goats as pets, wethers or females will be perfect for you.
If you start raising them from when they were babies, then they will easily adapt themselves with you and your home environment. Pygmy goats hate getting wet. So never try to wet them, otherwise you might see changes in their moods.
Display of Emotions
Most of the pygmy goats are gentle and responsive to humans. They might demand attention and love from you by nudging you hare and there. But some pygmy goat owners claim that they are unlikely to show their feelings.
They normally hide their feelings very well and so even if they love you to death. They usually wag their tail momentarily while you are around them. Pet pygmy goats that are raised at home are as loyal and faithful as their canine brothers.
Sometimes they are very loud when they are demanding something or expressing their displeasure.
Daily Doings
Pygmy goats are very playful and they spend most of their time by playing. They love to clown around and prance around, which might seems to you that they are tipsy.
You will see them chasing each other over open fields. Sometimes you can also see them having occasional mock fights (head-butt). For happy living, you have to provide them with a stimulating environment that has a lot of scope for playing.
You can place some wood stumps or other such things (which they can use for climbing on and jump from). The pygmy goats also get bored very easily. So you have to make creative playing facilities for them.
Feeding Demands
For raising pygmy goats as pets, you have to provide them nutritious foods according to their daily demands. Pet pygmy goat’s feed is slightly different than that of commercial goat feeding system.
You can supplement the standard goat chow (that you will get in the market) with grass hay. Never provide alfalfa hay to your pygmies, because alfalfa can causes urinary calculi. You can welcome them with a handful of grains every once in a while.
You can also give them vegetables and fruits as treats. Feed them goat mix twice in a day (not more than 2 to 3 ounces). They have a tendency towards obesity and this should be nipped in the bud with moderate feeding.
Always try to keep them away from some poisonous plants. Laburnum, Azaleas, Japanese yew, Rhododendrons etc. are poisonous plants for pygmy goats. Never provide them food wastes from other animals. And always provide them adequate amount of clean and fresh water.
Housing For Pet Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats are very simple creatures. They will live happily if you manage a simple three-sided enclosures for them. It will be better for your pygmies, if you have a small, well ventilated and secure barn.
You also have to make their closures strong and secure. Strong and secure closures will not only protect them from predators and stray dogs that trouble them, but also prevent their own foolhardy escape plans.
Pygmy goats usually prefer to live and sleep in dry and higher place. So try to make their house in a higher place and keep the house always dry and clean. Also keep some sleeping and playing things inside their house.
Some Tips For Raising Pygmy Goats as Pets
Pygmies are excellent as pets. Consider raising some pygmy goats as pets, if you think that you can handle them well. However, read the following tips while raising pygmy goats as pets.
- It’s a good idea to consult your county livestock regulations, before considering pygmies as pets.
- Bucks are not good as pets, they give out a foul odor. So consider females or castrated bucks for raising as pets.
- For avoiding accidental hurting, debudding is suggested.
- Perform regular hoof trimming after every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Vaccinate them timely, and they also require regular check ups (usually once a year veterinary examinations). Vaccinate your pygmies for tetanus, pulpy kidneys and enterotoxaemia.
- Regular worming is a must for your pygmies (at least twice a year is necessary).
- While purchasing pygmy goats, try to have some pygmy babies from a registered breeder in your area.
