Bathing your goats?

[dixygirl]

I know goats hate water. But do any of you bathe your goats? And if so, what do you use? How often?

My new Nigi dwarf girl who is over a year old feels not so clean at all. And when I pet her there is black left on my hands even though she is a blonde color! So I am going to bathe her tomorrow. I am thinking of using regular shampoo and conditioner on her to leave her fresh and clean .

Any suggestions?

 

[calgal98]

Thats pretty much what I use. Just rinse well and make sure she has time to dry before it turns cool. They don't like being wet.

 

[cparian]

I just had a mini goat round up this weekend!!! After washing my 4 dogs, I thought oh well, might as well do the goats. Used the same dog shampoo with the long lasting fresh scent. My Billy smelled wonderful for 10 minutes until he applied a fresh dose of "Goat Cologne".

 

[calgal98]

Yeah, isn't that wonderful??? LOL I was holding one of my boys when he refreshed his *cologne* on my pants. EWWWWW.... LOL Just gotta love the buckies!

 

[username taken]

I have show goats so yes they get bathed before and during the show.

You can use:

- human shampoo and conditioner (not really much need for conditioner though)

- livestock shampoo (cattle and horses)

- pet shampoo (dogs)

- ordinary old dishwashing liquid

All of them work fine.

Bear in mind though, the black on your hands from patting her is mainly her natural oils, and dust. You can reduce it by bathing but never eliminate completely.

 

[ThornyRidge]

Ugh.. I can't even imagine doing this..

Probably why I don't want hassle of showing and clipping/bathing routines.. my goats freak if they even get a small splash.. I can't imagine what a full on bath would look like.. I am guessing this would be me afterward->

 

[dixygirl]

All went well and was quite easy.
I put a leash on her and directed her to jump up in the tub. Held the leash 1 foot from her neck so she couldnt jump all around. I have a hose attachment so that made it easier. Used shampoo and conditioner and took her straight outside to air dry.

She was much softer and an even prettier shade of blonde when she dried.
I think she was happy too. She licked me constantly later on this evening.

PS I guess that was her way of returning the favor. Mutual grooming, so more bonding with a new doe.

 

[hollyk]

I am glad it went well. We wash and clip our show goats. We decided that they look so nice afterwords that we are going to clip and wash all the goats at the end of May. I agree with you, I think they feel better after a beauty session.

 

[dixygirl]

I have heard horror stories about buck hygiene about how smelly they are.
So far I have not noticed that at all. He does have a mild goat smell that the doe does not but I don't think it is that bad.
Will it get worse?

 

[kinnip]

I try to wash mine annually before I clip them, so I don't kill my clipper blades. Between washes, a grooming spray and rag or horse brush can be used.