Are Any Plants Poisonous to Goats?

There are more than 700 species of plants in the United States that have been recognized as causing toxicity in ruminants. Plants dangerous to goats are more likely to be ingested when the animals are near starvation and eat plants they normally would avoid, however, that isn’t the only time a goat will feed on toxic plant life. Goats are often used in the clearing of woodlands and wetlands, thus exposing them to casual ingestion of plants that are toxic to goats. Sometimes hay contains dried toxic weeds which can poison a goat. Poisonous plants for goats may also be eaten when they are allowed to feed on landscape or garden plants.

Poisonous Plants for Goats

There are few plants goats can’t eat; the more important consideration is those they shouldn’t eat. Not every poisonous plant is deadly, as many have various levels of toxicity causing different effects. Some can be immediate while others may be cumulative and build up in the body over time. The type of poisonous plant and the amount the animal has ingested will determine the level of toxicity. Plants toxic to goats that should be avoided include: Garden/Landscape Plants

Black Cohosh

Bloodroot

Carolina Jessamine

Celandine

Poppy

Bleeding Heart

Fumewort

Hellebore

Larkspur

Lupine

Corn Cockle

Ivy

Lily of the Valley

Milkweed

White Snakeroot

Lantana

Sneezeweed

St. John’s Wort

Wolfsbane/Monkshood

Dutchman’s Breeches/Staggerweed

Parsnips

Shrubs/Trees

Boxwood

Carolina Allspice

Oleander

Rhododendron

Wild Black Cherry

Wild Hydrangea

Black Locust

Buckeye

Cherry

Chokecherry

Elderberry

Laurel

Weeds/Grasses

Johnson Grass

Sorghum

Sudangrass

Velvetgrass

Buckwheat

Rape/Rapeseed

Nightshade

Poison Hemlock

Rattleweed

Horsenettle

Indian Poke

Jimsonweed

Death Camas

Water Hemlock

Additional plants dangerous to goats that are not likely to cause a severe reaction but may make the animal uncomfortable include:

Baneberry

Buttercups

Cocklebur

Creeping Charlie

Lobelia

Sandbur

Spurges

Inkberry

Pokeweed

Pine Trees

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