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No, goats can’t eat any plant they come across. There are dozens of common plants that are flat-out toxic to goats and can cause serious illness or death within hours.
Can goats eat any plant?
Goats are browsers and they’ll nibble on just about anything to test it. Most of the time they’re pretty good at avoiding plants that will hurt them, but not always.
Hungry goats, goats new to a property, or goats with limited forage options are the most at risk. They’ll eat things they’d normally pass up when they don’t have enough good browse available, which is why the myth that goats can eat everything persists.
Walk your pasture and identify everything growing there before you ever turn goats out on it.
What are the plants that are poisonous to goats?
Several common plants can kill a goat quickly. Rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, yew, and oleander are all extremely toxic, and it doesn’t take much to cause fatal poisoning.
Wilted cherry and plum leaves produce cyanide and are one of the most common causes of sudden goat death on farms. A storm that drops branches into the pasture can create a deadly situation overnight.
Poison hemlock is another lethal threat that every goat owner should learn to identify. Nightshade family plants including tomato leaves, potato leaves, and eggplant leaves contain solanine, which causes digestive and neurological problems.
What are the plants that are edible to goats?
Goats thrive on a wide variety of browse including blackberry brambles, honeysuckle, willow, maple leaves, dandelions, plantain, and clover. They prefer woody browse and broadleaf plants over grass.
Legumes like clover and alfalfa are high in protein and make great forage. Brambles are a particular favorite because goats strip the leaves right off thorny canes without any trouble, and the tannins in the leaves may even help with natural parasite control.
What to do if your goat eats something it shouldn’t have?
If you see a goat eating a known toxic plant, pull it away immediately and check for symptoms. Signs of plant poisoning include drooling, staggering, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and refusing to eat.
Call your vet right away if any symptoms show up. Keep the goat hydrated and try to identify exactly what plant was eaten so the vet knows what they are treating.
If you can, bring a sample of the plant with you.
How to prevent your goat from eating poisonous plants?
Walk your pasture and fence lines at least once a season and identify every plant growing there. Take photos of anything you don’t recognize and look it up in a regional toxic plant guide or ask your county extension agent.
Fence off any areas where toxic plants are growing or remove them entirely. Don’t just pull a toxic plant and throw it on the ground in the pasture.
Wilted plant material is often more toxic than fresh, and goats are more likely to eat dried leaves than living ones. Bag it up and dispose of it away from your animals.
What to remember
Goats eat a huge variety of plants, but they aren’t immune to everything out there. A few common species like rhododendron, yew, oleander, and wilted cherry leaves can kill a goat with just a few mouthfuls.
The best defense is knowing what’s growing in your pasture and keeping your goats away from anything dangerous. Provide plenty of good quality forage like timothy hay so your goats are never hungry enough to eat something they’d normally avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Goats can't eat any plant. There are many plants that are poisonous to goats and can make them very ill or even kill them and so be aware of what plants are safe for goats to eat and which ones to avoid.
Rhododendron, azalea, mountain laurel, yew, and oleander are all extremely toxic. Wilted cherry and plum leaves produce cyanide and are one of the most common causes of sudden goat death on farms.
Goats thrive on a wide variety of browse including blackberry brambles, honeysuckle, willow, maple leaves, dandelions, plantain, and clover. They prefer woody browse and broadleaf plants over grass.
If your goat eats something it shouldn't have, the first thing you should do is assess the situation. If the goat is showing signs of distress, such as digestive upset, or difficulty breathing, then you need to seek professional medical help immediately.
