9 Ways to Keep Goats Entertained

This is the honest truth about goats: they are one of the most curious animals you could ever choose to own (besides, of course, our feline friends). Give goats new textures, treats, or a puzzle to solve, and they are all about it. But did you know that providing these things for your goat does more than make you their best friend?

Mental and physical enrichment helps reduce boredom, pushy behavior, stress, and so much more in goats. What gets goats excited and eager to learn? We’ve come up with a list of things they love, including why they love them and how you can create them for your own herd.

Each of these entries encourages excitement and play, and none of our suggestions cost an arm and a leg. The end goal? A herd of goats that is excitable, curious, and eager to see what you have planned next! Check out these 9 things that make goats excited and how you might integrate them in your own home.

1. A Climbing Playground

Climbing is a goat’s favorite thing, which is why constructing your own climbing playground is a great first step to making life more exciting for your herd. Obtain some free pallets from hardware stores, cable spools from electrical suppliers, large rocks from landscaping yards, kid play structures on resale sites, or heavy rubber stall mats from farm stores for landing zones– get creative and have some fun building.

Providing vertical variety satisfies your goats’ natural climbing instincts, helps them exercise their muscles, and encourages friendly competition within the herd, which helps burn off excess energy. Different heights and angles keep it interesting, too. Just be sure to secure everything so it does not wobble, and consider adding a ramp or wide step for seniors and smaller breeds.

2. A Browse Bar of Safe Branches

Fresh bundles of branches can be a daily source of entertainment for goats, but how can you obtain these regularly? Ask local arborists for untreated trimmings, or clip your own from goat-safe trees and shrubs.

Common safe choices include willow, alder, poplar, certain safe varieties of maple, blackberry canes, and apple prunings from unsprayed trees. Like other hooved animals, goats love to browse and will be entertained by this simple addition all day long.

3. Puzzle Feeders and Treat Balls

Rolling, nudging, and flipping a unique treat feeder scratches that problem-solving itch all goats have and also spreads their calories across the day. Goat-specific slow feeders can be found at farm stores, or you can utilize heavy-duty dog treat dispensers. If you’re planning a DIY project instead, drill holes into a piece of PVC pipe and cap it securely. Fill your feeders with sunflower seeds, hay pellets, or goat-safe veggie cubes.

4. A Mineral Station That Actually Gets Used

Loose minerals formulated for goats are essential and can be obtained at feed stores. However, a plain salt block isn’t enough for most goats. Instead, use a weather-shielded wall feeder and a specially formulated mineral blend to keep your goats interested and healthy. Minerals also support coat quality, hoof strength, and overall vigor, so choose a formula that matches your area or herd, and always confirm with your local vet that your blend is healthy.

5. A Scratching and Grooming Zone

Have you ever watched a goat scratching itself against the side of a barn? These itchy guys love to keep themselves groomed via scratching, so giving them a station to do so might be wise for your herd. Street sweeper brushes from farm suppliers make a great scratcher, or you can always utilize stiff broom heads, rubber curry combs hung at chest height, or a DIY itch wall with mounted hairbrushes. Pro tip: Add a brush low for bellies and one higher up for necks and withers, and check the scratcher weekly to ensure no screws or sharp edges have come loose.

6. A Buddy and Real Social Time

If you only own one goat, you may be doing it a disservice. Having more than one goat is one of the things that makes them happiest, given their herd mentality. Adopt a new member of your family from reputable rescues, purchase from registered breeders, or work with a local 4-H group to find healthy, social animals. Taking the time to give your goats human attention doesn’t hurt, either!

7. Clicker Training and Adventure Walks

A simple, 5 to 10-minute walk every day can help excite your goats in multiple ways. But how can you train your goats to walk with you? Dog clickers, a pocketful of hay pellets, and a well-fitted collar or walking harness will do the job. Choose a flat, safe loop around your property or a quiet path where farm walking is allowed, and let your goats be curious. Walks, excursions, and other types of training give your goats a sense of purpose and something to look forward to.

8. Novel Scents and Textures To Explore

It doesn’t take much to entertain a goat, which is why you may start keeping random household items for them to enjoy. Clean cardboard boxes, paper lawn bags stuffed with straw, a section of crinkly tarp secured flat, or a log freshly cut from a safe tree help them satisfy their destructive sides.

For scent-based exploration, rub a little crushed mint or rosemary on a post or one of their jumping platforms, but go easy on the scent’s strength. Many goats dislike strong citrus and intense essential oils, and be sure to skip any product that includes solvents or unknown additives.

9. Seasonal Items They Can Destroy (Safely)

Your goats can enjoy the holidays just as much as humans! Plus, they make a fantastic clean-up crew for any decor that’s natural and organic. Unsprayed pumpkins after harvest, goat-safe Christmas trees from local recycling programs with no flocking or tinsel, or a hay bale maze are just some ways to enrich your goats. Just be sure to remove any leftovers before they get moldy, especially if you give your herd pumpkins.