Goats, like any animal, will get sick if they have too much sugar.
Too many jelly beans could even cause problems like kidney stones!
Healthier snacks, like crackers and raisins, would make a better treat option.
While candy like jelly beans won’t harm your goat in small amounts it is critical to note that chocolate is very bad for goats and in large quantities could even be poisonous.
It is always best to monitor them if there is candy around.
Can goats have jelly beans for a treat?
Technically, yes.
But just because your goat enjoys something does not mean that they ought to have it regularly.
Feeding jelly beans to your goat could cause many health problems in the long run.
They are high in sugar and artificial ingredients, making them unhealthy for both goats and humans.
While jelly beans are not toxic for goats, they can cause issues including stomach aches, tooth decay, kidney stones, bloating and more.
If your goat accidentally accesses a large amount of any candy and begins to display these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Can my goat eat other types of candy?
Most candy is not toxic for goats, so do not worry too much if they snag a bite or two here and there.
As with humans, it is all about moderation.
Goats are known for enjoying licorice, marshmallows, cookies, maple syrup, candy corn, and more.
Again, human candy is not an ideal snack for your goat.
It is much healthier to give them treats like raisins, sunflower seeds, a handful of grain, peanuts, and other natural snacks that they will enjoy just as much.
The main candy to avoid giving your goat access to is chocolate.
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous to goats and could cause them serious health problems.
If your goat accidentally does eat chocolate, especially if it was a large amount, contact your vet immediately.
What other foods are toxic for my goat?
Goats are very hardy animals, and they love getting into food they perhaps ought not to have.
While foods like jelly beans and cookies aren’t healthy, they aren’t outright toxic for your goat.
Other foods can cause more immediate problems, however.
Grain overload is a very common cause of illness in goats, caused when goats eat a large amount of grain, resulting in acidosis.
Signs include laying down, diarrhea, dehydration, and a staggering gait.
Other common human foods that goats should not eat include garlic, onion, anything caffeinated, citrus fruits, and meat scraps.
Avocado, potato, kale, and cherries are also toxic.
While we often may offer our goats table scraps, please avoid anything that they would not naturally eat.
If your goat seems sick or lethargic, always contact your vet.
Can goats eat licorice?
Licorice is another common candy that goats tend to love.
Black licorice in particular is known to be an enticing snack for your goat.
They can indeed eat licorice and many goat keepers do offer this as a treat.
As with jelly beans or any other candy, licorice should always be fed in moderation.
In the end it is probably healthier for your goat if you stick to natural snacks, not candy intended for humans.
What snacks are healthy for my goat?
Since candy is not healthy for your goat to have often, you may be wondering what their ideal snack is.
First off, remember that you should not feed your goat too many treats.
They are prone to becoming overweight so ensure that their basic dietary needs are attended to before adding treats.
Make sure that you’ve cut all treats into safe, bite-size pieces.
Ideal treats include banana, celery, carrots, sunflower seeds, apples, watermelon, pumpkin, and other types of squash.
Crackers and a handful a grain can also be great treats for goats, though make sure grain is always fed in moderation.
Homemade treats for goats
While you shouldn’t give your goat jelly beans all the time, that doesn’t mean that you can’t show them some extra love!
Another option is to make healthy treats for your goat from scratch.
This way you can make sure that everything in them is healthy, and you can even add in additional nutrients your goat needs.
Popular ingredients include chopped up fruit, flax, oats, molasses, and peanut butter.
Try a few different recipes out and see what your goat likes best!
With a little bit of effort and love you can replicate the fun of candy and the tastes your goat love in a treat that is healthy and safe for them.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that anything additional you feed your goat should fit into their daily diet.
Goats are grazers, meaning they primarily should be getting access to pasture or to hay.
Grain and treats should be added in moderation, as they can cause bloating in your goat.
If your goat gets into some human candies like jelly beans do not panic.
Goats will love the sweetness and these candies are not toxic for them.
In moderation they won’t harm your goat’s health.
Just make sure that their regular treats and diet are healthy and natural.
As always, if you notice any illness, lethargy or other poor health signs in your goat then contact your vet immediately.
This could be a sign of bloating or toxicity and requires professional assessment.
Have fun experimenting with your four-legged family members and trying out treats that they will love!
More in Processed Foods
- Can Goats Eat Chocolate?
- Can Goats Eat Cookies?
- Can Goats Eat Donuts?
- Can Goats Eat Honey?
- Can Goats Eat Jelly Beans?
- Can Goats Eat Licorice?
- Can Goats Eat Marshmallows?