So, Can Goats Eat Pineapple?

Pineapples are certainly one of the most famous and among the most delicious tropical fruits in common trade today.

Massive, incredibly sweet, and highly adaptable to many recipes in various cuisines around the world, there is no denying that the pineapple has truly gone global.

But how about for our goats? Goats can eat all sorts of things, but can our goats enjoy pineapple?

Yes, goats may eat all parts of the pineapple safely, including the leafy stem and the tough skin. However, pineapple is extremely sugary, and goats should only have a little bit every once in a while as a treat.

Even so, it is quite healthy, with a great complement of vitamins and some minerals that are good for goats.

Many goat owners know that their animals might secretly have a sweet tooth, and they will surely love pineapple as a result.

But as wholesome as it is, too much pineapple is definitely a bad thing for goats, so you want to strictly limit their intake. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

Health Benefits of Pineapple for Goats

Pineapple is beloved for its sublime, sweet, and unique taste, but in spite of this alluring flavor, it also happens to be quite healthy, with a good selection of vitamins and minerals.

Pineapple contains abundant B vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6. It also contains a good amount of folate which is useful for the creation and maintenance of DNA in the body.

There’s a trace amount of choline present, and a massive amount of vitamin C, which goats definitely need.

Concerning the minerals, the good news continues. Pineapple contains only a little bit of calcium and iron, but a decent amount of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Its best attribute among minerals is manganese which it has in abundance.

Pineapples also average about 86% water by weight, meaning this is the perfect sweet treat to give your goats on hot days if you want to help them stay hydrated and stave off heat stress.

Can Goats Eat Pineapple Raw?

Yes, goats can eat raw pineapple and this is the preferred way to give it to them. It will stay juicy and also maintain maximum nutritional value.

Can Goats Eat Pineapple Crowns?

Yes. Not surprising to long-time goat owners, goats will happily eat the crisp, crunchy leaves of the pineapples crown, or stem. No need to worry, it won’t hurt them!

Can Goats Eat Pineapple Skin?

Yes, they can. The least appealing part of the pineapple for people happens to be one of the favorite parts for goats.

Many goats are known to eat bark off of trees and shrubs, and though you and I could hardly countenance such a thing goats will happily chew up the tough, spiny skin of pineapple for food.

Can Goats Eat Pineapple Cooked?

Yes, goats can eat cooked pineapple. A grilled pineapple slice is even more delectable than a fresh one, and is just the thing to give your goats a little bit of variety for what is already a delicious treat.

Never Feed Pineapple to Goats that Has Been Prepared with Harmful Ingredients

Since we are on the subject of cooking pineapple, it must be pointed out that you should never give your goats any pineapple that is cooked with, prepared with, or made into some kind of food that they cannot have.

Pineapple features in all kinds of dishes all around the world. In America, it is used to help flavor cuts of meat or is a component in various relishes and salsas.

It is also common in all sorts of desserts, jams, jellies, and sauces. Your goats should not have any of these foods.

Foods that have even more calories than pineapple do normally contain meat, butter, oils, extra sugar, and so forth are all bad or outright harmful for goats.

In a best-case scenario, it could be looking at weight gain and upset stomach or diarrhea from such ingredients. At worst, they could suffer from potentially fatal conditions.

Only give your goats clean, wholesome foods that you know they can eat and that you know won’t hurt them.

If you are going to cook pineapple for your goats, it should only be grilled or roasted with nothing else added.

Beware of Pesticide on Grocery-bought Pineapple

One thing goat owners must be aware of is the presence of pesticides on grocery store-purchased whole pineapple. You should only give fruits to your goats that you know are pesticide-free.

All produce, with fruit in particular, is heavily treated with pesticides prior to reaching the point of sale in grocery stores.

Sadly, pineapple is among the most heavily treated fruits out there when it comes to pesticides.

These pesticides are supposed to be nominally safe for ingestion and mammals, but a growing body of evidence suggests that the reality is quite different.

Bioaccumulation of these pesticide chemicals has been linked with everything from reproductive failure and cancer to organ damage and endocrine system problems. Suffice to say, they are definitely bad news for your goats.

Pineapple is not easy to grow in most environments, so chances are you’re going to be stuck from purchasing it at the grocery store.

In this case, try to make it a point to procure certified organic and pesticide-free options, but if you can’t, I highly recommend you thoroughly wash and then peel the pineapple before giving it to your goats.

How Often Can Goats Have Pineapple?

Pineapple is a wholesome treat for goats, but it is just that, a treat. It is not a mainstay of their diet, it is not a staple and it is not something they should have all the time. Too much sugar, even natural sugar in the form of fructose, is bad for goats.

Therefore, you should only give your goats a little bit of pineapple. Maybe one small serving once a week.

This will ensure that they can enjoy themselves when they do get it while benefiting from the nutrition and they won’t have to worry about getting sick or developing other problems from the excess sugar.

Preparing Pineapple for Your Herd

Your goats will love eating pineapple, the whole thing, skin, crown, and all. That being said, it is difficult for most girls to break into the pineapple since they can’t open their mouths very wide.

Give them a hand by slicing the pineapple into quarters and then into pieces that they can easily nibble on, or else chop a whole pineapple into thin wedges that they can easily bite into.

Can Baby Goats Have Pineapple, Too?

Baby goats can have pineapple the same as adults, but they shouldn’t have it as often and they should have even smaller quantities.

This is because baby goats are significantly more vulnerable to nutritional deficits and digestive upset compared to adults.

A good rule of thumb is that you should wait until a kid is old enough so that it has started eating solid food all the time with no problems.

If they are still drinking milk from their mother, even some of the time, they aren’t old enough yet.

Make Sure You Clean Up After Feeding Pineapple to Your Goats

It is critical that you clean up any leftover pineapple chunks or bits once your goats are finished with it. Pineapple is highly aromatic, and will also spoil quickly when left out in the sun. This creates a two-pronged problem.

First, your goats could be harmed if they come back around and try to eat moldy or spoiled pineapple.

Second, pineapple is sure to attract other animals and pests in particular. Rodents, raccoons, possums, and insects will all be coming around looking for some of that sweet goodness, and that can cause problems for you and your goats.

Promptly clean up after them when they are done and you can avoid this problem.