Can Goats Eat Potato Peels? [Risks & Benefits]

For those of you that didn’t know, potato peelings are popularly fed to farm animals. There are different ways of serving the peels to animals as well. Did you find your goat nibbling on some potato peels you left lying outside? As an animal parent, it is natural to worry about what your pet eats. Not to worry, we are here to answer your question –

Can Goats Eat Potato Peels

Yes! Goats love chewing on potato peels. All you need to make sure is that the peelings are from a fresh, ripe potato. Please avoid peels from an unripe or green potato as they are toxic to goats. Whether you cook the peels or feed them to your goat raw is based on personal preference. 

Potato peeling may be scrap around the kitchen for us but for goats, they are a real treat! Your goat will love you for serving it some good old potato peelings. If you still have doubts about feeding potato peels to your goat, continue reading our post!

Why Potato Peels Are Great for Goats! 

Goats are curious grazers. They love trying out new things but that doesn’t mean it’s good for them. Fresh, non-green potato peels are an excellent treat or a snack idea for goats. Some juicy potato peels can make your goat’s day! Let’s look at how potato peels are healthy for goats:

Fiber

Goats are used to receiving high levels of fiber in their diet. This makes potato peels an ideal choice as they are an excellent source of fiber.

Fibrous foods are a dietary requirement for goats as it aids in digesting everything else they eat. So, if you find your goat having trouble digesting food regularly, throw some potato peels in there! Along with aiding in digestion, they make for a delicious treat.

Vitamins & Minerals 

In addition to the fiber content, potato peels also offer a variety of vitamins and minerals that your goat can benefit from. Potato peels are loaded with potassium.

Potassium helps in maintaining blood pressure and contributes to a healthy heart. It greatly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks in your goat.

Omega 3-Fatty Acids

Potato peels also contain omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids, too, help in keeping your goat’s heart healthy and happy!

Protein

Goats need all the energy they can get. Potato peels are also loaded with protein that helps fuel your goat’s daily activities. The protein the peels also facilitate better absorption of nutrients in your goat’s body. 

Vitamin C

Finally, potato peels are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in producing collagen in the body. This results in improved bone and joint health in your goat.

Serving Potato Peels to Goats 

There aren’t too many risks associated with feeding potato peels to your goat. As long as you keep some vital points in mind and serve it properly, you don’t have much to worry about.

Please ensure that the potato you’ve peeled is not green in color. This indicates that the potato you’re using is not ripened making it unsafe for goats to eat. Only fresh potato peels are safe for goats to eat. Everything else is best kept away. 

The green parts of potatoes contain a compound called Solanine. It is present to defend the plant from various insects. It also happens to be extremely toxic for goats, which makes it a huge no-no in their diet. No matter how much you cook these green peels, the solanine will not break. Therefore, it is best to stick to feeding your goat the non-green potato peels.

Now coming to how to serve fresh potato peels to your goat, here’s what you need to do. As important as it is to ensure that the potato is not green, you also must make sure that the potato is not overripened. If you’re confused about whether a potato is stale, rotten, or green, the safest option is not to use it. Every time you’re doubtful about a certain potato, it’s best to toss it in the bin.

Next, you can chop up the potato peels into smaller pieces. When you cut up the peels into more chewable bits reduces the risk of your goat choking on them. Serving your goat large pieces of potato peels can obstruct their digestive tract.

You can cook the potato peels or simply boil them before leaving them out for your goat. Potatoes are commonly treated with chemicals, so it is essential to wash the peels thoroughly before letting goats eat them. Please remember not to add any seasoning or garlic and onions as they aren’t suitable for animals. 

Please keep the number of potato peels your goat eats in check as well. Potato peels are very high in fiber. When goats consume too much fiber, it could sometimes lead to abdominal distress and diarrhea. So, a small portion of potato peelings every day should keep your goat very happy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are sweet potato peels safe for goats to eat? 

Yes, goats can eat sweet potato peels. Like potato peelings, sweet potato peels, too, have high levels of fiber and nutrients. Sweet potatoes and their skin are both goats would love munching on. While serving your goat sweet potato peels, please make sure you’ve thoroughly washed them to get rid of any dirt, chemicals, or other harmful substances.

What alternatives can I feed my goats instead of potato peels? 

Potato peels are great for goats to eat. But if that’s not an option for you sometimes, there are multiple alternatives your goat would enjoy as well. These include many fruits, vegetables, hay, and grass.

Can I give cooked potato peels to My Goat?

Yes! Most goat parents like to lightly cook the peels before serving them to their goat. Please avoid cooking it with oil or spices that we would generally cook with. Goats don’t have the same bodies we do, so they cannot digest the same ingredients. 

Can I give raw potato peels to my goat? 

Yes, goats can eat raw potato peels. In fact, this is the way goats are familiar with eating things. Please make sure you’ve properly washed the peels to get rid of any harmful toxins or chemicals before you let your goat munch on it! 

Conclusion

If your goat finds some potato peelings around, you can let them enjoy it! Goats are curious eaters and are bound to try various leftovers around them. Please make sure the peels do not come to form a green on the unripe potato as they can be toxic to goats. 

If you have any more doubts about your goat consuming potato peels, it is wise to consult your vet. If not potato peels, your goat would enjoy many other options that are just as high in fiber such as hay, fruits, and other vegetables! 

Thanks for reading our post!