Can Goats Eat Watermelon? (Helpful Content With Photos!)

The answer is yes. Goats can eat watermelon. Including the flesh, seeds, rinds and yes even the vines of a watermelon. It is actually quite good for them as it is low in sodium and high in vitamins A and C.

Watermelon, with its refreshing juiciness, is the quintessential summer treat.

It’s not just a favorite among us humans; its appeal might extend to our farm friends too.

Recently, while slicing up some watermelon on a warm afternoon, a curious question crossed my mind: Can goats enjoy watermelon just as we do?

Intrigued, I delved into research to uncover not just a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but to understand the nuances of feeding watermelon to goats.

This article aims to shed light on the nutritional benefits watermelon offers to goats, the right way to prepare it for them, and importantly, whether it’s a safe choice for baby goats.

Let’s dive into the world of goats and their potential love affair with watermelon.

Contents

Is Watermelon healthy for Goats?

Watermelon is very healthy for Goats.

It is a fantastic addition to their diet because Goats are animals who need to consume a considerable amount of water on a daily basis and a watermelon is 90% water.

So, this can help with their water consumption while eating a tasty treat all at the same time.

Watermelons don’t only consist of water, they also have high amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, fiber and antioxidants.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important to be included in a Goat’s diet.

It is a fat-soluble vitamin and aids vision, the immune system and the reproduction system.

This particular vitamin also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs to stay healthy and working properly.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, this is particularly important for a Goats diet.

This can help aid growth, development and the repair of all the body’s tissues.

Vitamin C is also involved in a lot of the body’s functions such as the absorption of iron, the proper functioning of the immune system and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

Potassium

Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the body, simply because it can help to regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals.

A high potassium diet can also help to reduce blood pressure and water retention.

Fiber

This is important to a Goat’s diet because it can help to maintain bowel health.

Including fiber in a Goat’s diet will ensure that their stool is healthy and soft, making it much easier for them to pass it.

Can Goats eat the rind of a Watermelon?

Yes. They can eat the rind of a Watermelon; in fact, they will probably really enjoy eating it.

As it is richer in Potassium and fiber than the flesh of the melon.

So, really the rind holds more nutritional value than the flesh of the fruit, but that doesn’t mean to say your Goat will prefer to eat it over the juicy flesh.

Can Goats eat Watermelon seeds?

Yes they can.

The seeds of the watermelon are perfectly okay for them to eat, however, they should be eaten in moderation.

If you have an excess amount of seeds in the watermelon, they should be removed and to avoid wasting them, they can be fed to the birds.

Can Goats eat Watermelon vines?

Watermelon vines are also completely fine for goats to eat, but just like the seeds, they should be eaten in moderation.

They should also be thoroughly washed to rid them of all chemicals and toxins that may be on there.

Can baby Goats eat Watermelon?

No. Baby Goats should not really be eating foods such as Watermelon.

For the first thirty days at least, they should only drink their mother’s milk, after the thirty days, they will begin to wean off of the milk and may then be ready to eat things such as hay.

Even when they are weaned off of the milk, you should wait until they are at least three to four months old to start feeding them things such as watermelon

How should you prepare Watermelon for Goats?

First of all, it is very important to wash the fruit.

Simply because it will remove any toxins and pesticides that are left on the Watermelon from the growing process.

This ensures that your Goat will not be digesting them, especially if you plan on feeding the skin to your goats.

Then you should cut the watermelon in to small chunks.

This is because Goats cannot open their mouths very wide and therefore, they may struggle to eat it, if the chunks are too large.

Which could cause them to choke, so it is vital to ensure that the chunks are bitesize.

Cutting up the melon into chunks will also allow you to see how many seeds are in the watermelon because while they can eat them, they should only be eaten in moderation.

So, if you feel that there are too many then you should remove some of them.

The rind should especially be cut up into small bite-sized chunks, this is because of the fact that the rind is a lot tougher than the flesh of the melon, so that can cause them to choke a lot easier if it is not prepared correctly.

Can Goats eat Watermelon flavored foods?

It really depends on what you plan on feeding them.

But to be on the safe side I would very much avoid feeding them Watermelon flavored foods.

As they should not be eating any processed foods, because this can cause digestive disorders for your goat.

So, it would be best to stick to actual watermelon or other fruits such as pineapple or oranges.

Watermelon treats ideas to give to your Goats:

Instead of feeding them Watermelon flavored foods, here are some quick, easy, and healthy Watermelon treats that you give to your Goats.

Watermelon Ice Cubes

This treat is particularly perfect for a hot summer’s day.

This is something that they will enjoy very much, and it will keep them nice and cool, but also hydrated.

Simply, cut up the fruit into small ice cube shapes and stick them in the freezer overnight, then the next day they will be ready to serve to your goats.

Watermelon Mash-Up

This is a good healthy treat for goats.

Cut the melon up into chunks and combine it with other fruits and/or vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, and other foods that are safe for them to eat.