All farm animals start to get messy from time to time – it’s all a part of spending so much time outside.
Still, it might lead you to wonder, “What can I wash my goat with?”
Owners need a refillable bucket of water, goat-safe shampoo, a grooming brush, clean towels, and some time in the sun to clean a goat. Owners have a few different options to find a personal preference for safe shampoo, including pet, livestock, or brightening shampoos.
Keep reading, and we’ll look at everything you’ll need to make sure your goat is feeling fresh and clean!
Securing Your Goat
Bathing animals isn’t always easy because they don’t always cooperate.
Using a lead and collar to secure your goat gives you the chance to wash them without worrying about them slipping away.
This is particularly useful if you have anxious, skittish, or even energetic or easily distracted goats.
It’s also good to lay down a mat for your goat to stand on, and you don’t mind getting wet.
After all, you don’t want them to slip once the ground gets slick with soap and water.
It’s a good idea to wash your goat either outside or somewhere with a drain on the floor.
This will help reduce how much soap and water just collects at you and your goat’s feet, reducing the risk of slipping.
Clean, Warm Water
Like most other bathing tasks, you’ll need clean water to clean your goat with.
The best temperature for this is warm water, neither too hot nor cold for your goat.
Cold water won’t cut through the grime your goat has picked up.
Additionally, warm water is much more comfortable than cold water, but it’ll work in a pinch.
You don’t want to turn to hot water either.
The goal here is for your goat to feel comfortable and get clean.
This includes making sure the water isn’t too hot for their skin.
Remember, when you’re initially putting clean or soapy water on your goat, you’ll want to avoid getting water in their ears to avoid discomfort or health problems.
Choosing the Right Shampoo
After rinsing your goat down, the next step is to start shampooing them.
Start by massaging the shampoo into your goat’s hair with your hands or a firm-bristled grooming brush.
For the best results, wait about 10 minutes before reaching for the clean water to rinse it off.
You need the right shampoo once you’re ready to start cleaning goat hair.
Not just any body wash or soap will help keep your goat clean and healthy.
Livestock Shampoo
As the name suggests, livestock shampoo is made for farm animals like goats, horses, and cows.
They’re made without harsh chemicals, so they’re safe for your goat’s skin and can help keep your goat’s hair soft and clean.
We recommend a livestock shampoo like this one on Amazon.
Pet Shampoo
Similar to livestock shampoo, pet shampoo is made with animals in mind.
However, manufacturers typically market these shampoos toward household pets like cats and dogs.
The good news is they’re safe to use on your goat too.
So, if you have a pet like a dog, it’s an option to borrow their shampoo for this task.
If not, we recommend an option like this oatmeal pet shampoo on Amazon.
Whitening or Brightening Shampoo
If you have a goat with light fur, another option is to wash them with whitening or brightening shampoo if they’re extra grimy.
This type of soap is better at helping to remove stains from your goat’s fur.
While it’s not technically required, this method is a popular step in the cleaning routine for show goats.
We recommend using a whitening shampoo safe for livestock like this one on Amazon.
Can You Use Human Shampoo On Goats?
When choosing a shampoo for your goat, it’s best to stay away from human shampoo.
The shampoo you use on your hair isn’t necessarily geared toward the needs of the coat of an animal like a goat.
An option made for animals is more directed at helping maintain your goat’s coat and the natural oils.
After you’ve thoroughly shampooed your goat, use a clean bucket of water to rinse them off.
It might take a few rounds of fresh water and rinsing before you see clear water rather than soapy water run off your goat.
This is a sign you’ve gotten all the shampoo out.
Clean Towels
Once you finish rinsing your goat, use a clean towel to dry them off.
Start by using the towel to brush off and squeeze excess water into your goat’s coat.
This method won’t dry your goat off completely.
Before you let them back into the goat pen with their friends, let the goat air dry.
At a minimum, let your goat air dry for at least 10 minutes before letting them go play or putting them back in the goat pen.
For the best results, let them air dry in a sunny area.
Can You Bathe Baby Goats?
Once in a while, you might notice your baby goats taking on an unfortunate smell.
Still, you won’t want to bathe a baby goat incorrectly or risk doing more harm than good.
Baby goats are particularly susceptible to the cold.
If you use cold water, you may make your baby goats too cold before their bodies are better at regulating temperature.
Another important step in bathing a baby goat is drying them completely at the end of the process.
If you leave them wet, this is another factor that can leave your baby goat shivering.
Bathing a baby goat is possible, but it isn’t without its risk while a goat is still young and rather weak.
It’s best to only turn to bathe your baby goats when they need it, such as when they’re filthy or if you notice medical reasons for a bath, such as signs of lice.
Read next: What essential oils are bad for goats?
