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Yes, goats can eat applesauce. It’s just pureed apples, and apples are perfectly safe for goats.
The catch is that not all applesauce is created equal. Plain, unsweetened applesauce is fine as an occasional treat, but the flavored stuff loaded with sugar and additives isn’t worth the risk.
Can goats eat applesauce?
Plain unsweetened applesauce is safe for goats in small amounts. It’s soft, easy to eat, and most goats love the sweet taste.
A few spoonfuls as a treat once in a while won’t cause any problems.
The natural sugars in apples give goats a quick burst of energy, which makes it a decent pick-me-up for a goat that’s a little off its feed. For a more nutritious treat, fresh apples are always the better choice.
Just don’t make it a daily habit because the sugar content adds up.
What to avoid in store-bought applesauce
Stay away from applesauce with added sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. Goats don’t need extra sugar, and sweeteners like xylitol can be harmful to animals.
Cinnamon-flavored and spiced varieties should also stay off the menu. While a tiny amount of cinnamon probably won’t hurt, the concentrated spice blends in commercial applesauce can irritate a goat’s digestive system.
Look for applesauce that lists apples and water as the only ingredients. Homemade applesauce from your own kitchen is even better because you know exactly what went into it.
Using applesauce to give goats medicine
Here’s where applesauce shines. Goats are notorious for spitting out pills, powders, and anything that tastes bitter.
Mix a crushed tablet or deworming powder into a spoonful of applesauce and the sweetness masks the bitter flavor. Use a syringe without the needle to squeeze the mixture into the side of the goat’s mouth for the cleanest delivery.
This trick works well with vitamin supplements too. Some owners also use bananas to mask the taste of bitter medication.
Just make sure the dose is small enough that the goat swallows it all in one go.
How much applesauce to feed
A couple of spoonfuls is plenty for an adult goat. Think of applesauce as a treat, not a food group.
Too much applesauce in one sitting can cause loose droppings because of the sugar and moisture content. If you’re using it to hide medication, you only need enough to coat the medicine, which is usually a tablespoon or less.
Baby kids should skip the applesauce until they’re eating solid food regularly. Their developing rumen handles hay and grain better than sugary purees.
Stick with solid treats like carrot pieces once they’re old enough.
Pregnant does can have a spoonful as a treat, but don’t overdo it. Pregnant goats benefit more from alfalfa hay and proper minerals than from sugary snacks.
Homemade vs. Store-bought
Making your own applesauce for the goats takes about 20 minutes and you can skip all the junk ingredients. Core and chop a few apples, simmer them in a pot with a little water until soft, then mash them up.
No need to peel the apples since goats don’t care about skin texture. You can make a batch and keep it in the fridge for a week or freeze portions for later.
Store-bought unsweetened applesauce works perfectly fine too. Just read the label and skip anything with a long ingredient list.
If you have apple trees on your property, windfall apples that are bruised but not rotten make great applesauce. You could also offer those bruised apples alongside watermelon rinds or pumpkin chunks for variety.
It’s a good way to use up fruit that’s too beat up for human eating but still perfectly fine for goats.
Final Thoughts
Applesauce is a safe, simple treat for goats as long as you stick to the plain unsweetened kind. Its best use is hiding medication that your goats would otherwise spit across the barn.
Keep portions small, skip the flavored varieties, and your goats will enjoy it without any digestive issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, plain unsweetened applesauce is safe for goats in small amounts. A few spoonfuls as an occasional treat is fine. Avoid flavored or sweetened varieties with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Applesauce is pureed cooked apples. For goats, stick to plain unsweetened varieties or make your own at home. Look for applesauce that lists only apples and water as ingredients.
The best use for applesauce is hiding medication. Mix crushed tablets or deworming powder into a spoonful of applesauce and use a syringe without a needle to deliver it into the side of the goat's mouth.
Pregnant does can have a spoonful of plain unsweetened applesauce as a treat, but don't overdo it. The extra sugar isn't something a pregnant goat needs in large amounts.
