There’s nothing cuter than a baby goat in a diaper.
But diapering your goats is also an important, practical choice for cleanliness because when goats are first born, their stools are very messy.
The most critical part of diapering your goats is to ensure you use the correct size diaper so it will do its job and be comfortable for your kids!
A size 3 diaper is a safe bet for most newborn baby goats. For males, consider purchasing size 4 instead so they will be comfortable. You will need to size up as your goat grows, so stock up on diapers through size 5 or 6, depending on how long you plan on diapering your goat(s).
Picking the number size is only the first step in fitting diapers to your baby goats.
You will need to take more steps to ensure the diaper fits your goat correctly.
Look ahead to the rest of this article for more tips and tricks for helping your baby goats wear diapers.
Fitting Goat Diapers for Cleanliness and Comfort
If it’s too big, the diaper won’t do its job.
But if it’s too small, the diaper will be uncomfortable for the goat.
So, how can you make sure the diaper you choose will fit snugly and comfortably?
Start by using a size 3 (or 4, for males) diaper.
Since these diapers were not designed for goats, it’s essential to make a few adjustments once you have purchased them.
The first thing to account for are those little tails, which need space to wiggle and move!
The most common solution to this problem is simply to cut a hole in the diaper.
If you do this, be careful not to make the hole too big, or you will have problems with leakage and messiness.
You only need to cut a tail hole about an inch or two.
Some people prefer to simply buy bigger diapers and use some tips below for leak prevention.
This way, it is unnecessary to cut a hole in the diaper, but your goat will still have room to move its tail.
Check out what baby goat poop should look like in our article to make sure your pet is healthy.
Leaking Goat Diapers
Once you’ve made the hole for the tail, your next concern will be to ensure a snug fit.
The last thing you need is for your goat’s diaper to leak.
There are two main reasons a diaper would leak:
- Have a goat who is very active and has a hard time keeping its diaper up, or
- Have a male goat (notorious for being more difficult to diaper)
Many people experience problems with their goats being too active, which can cause diapers to start sliding down.
One solution to this problem is to use a small pair of boys’ underwear and put it on backward over the diaper.
This way, the diaper will fit more snugly, and you will still be able to ensure your goat’s comfort by poking their tail out through the flap (called a tail hole in this case).
For female goats, these steps will likely be all you need.
But for male goats, there is a higher chance of leaking.
This is why it is good to purchase diapers in a larger size for your males.
Tips For Preventing Leaks
If you still have problems with leaking, here are some more tips from other goat owners on how to make sure your diapers are covering your goats adequately:
- Use a second diaper on your goat’s stomach, lining it up with the end of the first one, and fasten it on top (on the goat’s back). By doing this, you are protecting a larger area, thus diminishing the chance of leaks.
- Put a shirt on your goat, and pin the ends of the diaper to the shirt. The diaper is fastened more snugly, and leaks will be prevented.
Once you’ve purchased the right size diaper and made these adjustments, your kids will be protected and free to run and jump as much as their hearts desire.
Where Can I Find Cheap Diapers For Goats?
If you’re serious about diapering your baby goats, another important factor is cost.
Disposable baby diapers are available for relatively low prices from grocery stores, department stores, and pharmacies.
Also, consider ordering online if you would prefer to buy in bulk.
The best course of action, though, is to buy a smaller pack of regular baby diapers first to make certain your goat is not going to need a much smaller or much larger diaper than is recommended.
Once you are sure of your goat’s size, purchase in bulk to save money.
If you are worried disposable diapers aren’t a cost-effective option for you, there are more options.
Cloth diapers are sometimes used for baby goats and have their benefits and drawbacks.
But they are more cost-effective than using disposables, especially if you intend to diaper your goats for a long period.
Can You House-Train An Indoor Goat?
While using diapers on your goats indoors is generally recommended, some goat owners have trained their goats to use pet pads.
Many of those who have tried this have had positive experiences, saying it is easier to house-train house goats than puppies.
Note: Several goat advocacy groups say keeping a goat inside is cruel.
Keep this in mind.
Will I Need to Get Bigger, Adult Diapers for My Goat?
Whether you decide to continue diapering your goats as they grow is entirely up to you, though most owners only use diapers for a couple of weeks.
Once they’re a few weeks of age, the standard goats are fine to just go like normal.
If you plan to have your goat in the house with you or in other places where it would be inopportune to clean up after your goat, it is a good idea to continue using diapers.
When a goat is sick, and their stools are looser, it may again be wise to use diapers for them until they are feeling better.
It also helps collect and track goat feces if your vet wants some for testing.
It is essential, though, to consider that some goats may dislike wearing diapers and prefer the freedom of being without them.
If you decide to continue diapering your goat beyond the first few weeks of their life, you may need to purchase larger diapers.
