Goats can be messy when it comes to defecation and fecal matter. This is especially true when they are younger and aren’t eating solid foods yet. It pushes many owners to wonder if they can use diapers on their goats.
Diapers work well to keep the mess of goat poop maintained and it won’t bother the goat too much. Goats do not plan to poop, often occurring sporadically as they are just going about their business. They do not have any order to how or when they defecate.
So a diaper is a good choice but it can still be good to read up on its affect on the goat as well as how to put one on.
Diapers And Goats
Goats are particular and picky with their life. They like things a certain way and a new stimulus to that normal life can create an uncomfortable and unhappy goat. A diaper being used can create that unbalance and it is good to know exactly how to apply one.
What Type of Diaper To Use
But before we actually dive into putting one on it is best to look at the options that there are for goat diapers. There can be multiple ways to accomplish what you want and it can be up to owner discretion as to which you use.
The first option would be to just purchase some goat diapers. These however are a little bit more expensive because of their formatting for the specific use of a goat with a tail hole and better functionality to the anatomy of the goat. If you are looking for a cheaper way to get the same effect through a normal baby diaper can work just as well.
Another option that can be used is reusable diapers that may be a little bit more work, but will still contain the mess and be comfortable for your goat. The goat may enjoy a fabric better than a normal diaper and it will feel better for them. Plus your conscience can be clear by not disposing of diaper after diaper. You can be nature-friendly while taking care of your goat.
How To Put On a Diaper
Now that you know some of the options of diapers to use we can go over what it may look like to put one of these on. I will be going through how to put a normal baby diaper onto a goat seeing as it covers all parameters for the application of the other diapers.
The first step will be to make sure to get the right size of diaper. The normal size would be a size 3 for a newborn goat that is average size. Then for larger goats of course can use larger sizes accordingly. But it might be a guess-and-check system if it is your first time. But that size 3 is a good place to start.
Next, you will need to figure out where to cut the hole for the tail. This can be done by opening up the diaper and laying across the back of the goat. The goat’s tail will poke a certain way and the hole can be cut at around that mark. It can help to use a sharpie if you want to get a specific spot for the tail to go through.
Now comes to cutting the diaper for the hole. It is a good idea to cut horizontally to the top edge of the diaper as the tail is very close to where the feces will come through and cutting too large of a hole will not be effective in doing the diaper’s job. You will have effectively wasted a diaper, and likely have a mess to deal with later. Also, cut it about 2-3 inches long to get enough room for the tail to fit through, but still creates tension to avoid spillage.
Once the hole is cut the diaper can be put fully onto the goat. This can be done the easiest by placing the goat upside down either in your lap or in front of you and taking its back hind legs in one hand, holding it up to place the diaper underneath making sure the velcro is in the front to be brought and attached to the back. Make sure to get the tail through the hole as you do this. Then place the front of the diaper over the pelvic area and snugly attach the diaper. It may be best to have another person to help with this whole process, but can be done alone if there is no one handy to help.
What The Goat Prefers
It is important to note that the goat will probably not enjoy the diaper regardless of what you do, especially at first. It may take a while for the goat to get used to the diaper. It is important to note that goats prefer to not be inhibited by anything when doing their business.
Something else to note is that if this is a newborn with the diaper take heed for its umbilical cord. That can be tender and so placing the diaper below that so it won’t be irritated will help make them more comfortable with the diaper.
Why Diapers Are Needed
Baby goats do not have very solid poops when it comes to the first little bit of their lives. This is due to the lack of solid food in their diet. It is hard to clean up because its lack of form can be rather messy when it comes to dealing with it. This is one of the main reasons goat owners use diapers for their goats. Other than that there aren’t any major reasons to put a diaper on a goat unless you want it in the house with you.
When Diapers Aren’t Needed
After the first week or two of a goat’s life, their poops start to be more solid, with form and will be drier. These types of feces are much easier to sweep off the ground or clean and dispose of. A diaper is most likely not needed at this point. The goat will prefer this anyway.