Can Goats Eat Flowering Dogwood? (YES or NO)

Goats can eat flowering dogwood, but the fruits of our native dogwood tree, Cornus florida, are not poisonous, although they may not have a favorable taste. When it comes to goats’ diet, they have a preference for woody plants, followed by taller broadleaf plants, then clover, and grass as the last option.

Graze goats to clean up trees, brush, weeds, and other unwanted plants. If you have a Kousa dogwood tree, it is safe for goats as well. However, it’s important to note that while dogwood berries are not considered poisonous, they are considered inedible and can cause slight gastrointestinal distress if consumed excessively.

Are Dogwoods Poisonous To Goats?

Generally speaking, dogwoods are not poisonous to goats. Different varieties of dogwoods may have different properties. The fruits of our native flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, are not poisonous, but they do not have a very pleasing flavor. Dogwood berries are considered inedible and may cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed in excess. While some goats may be curious and taste dogwood berries, most goats will have no interest in eating them. It’s important to note that other plants and trees like red twig dogwoods, red pine, and cedar can be safely eaten by goats in small amounts. It’s always a good idea to provide a diverse and balanced diet for goats and consult with a veterinarian for specific guidelines on feeding them.

Safe Plants For Goats

Edible Plants for Goats:

Acorns (in moderation)

Apple

Banana (entire plant and fruit)

Bamboo

Trees that can be eaten in small amounts:

Juniper

Spruce

Douglas fir

Hemlock (the tree, not the poisonous plant)

Ponderosa pine

Red pine

Cedar

Flowering Dogwood:

Some dogwoods produce larger fruits than others, and some are tasty and some are not. The fruits of our native flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, are not poisonous, but they do not have a very pleasing flavor. Dogwood berries are not listed as poisonous to goats. However, most goats will have no interest in eating them, aside from a curious taste here and there due to their inedible nature. It is important to note that the berries can cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed in excess.

Toxic Plants To Avoid

Some toxic plants for goats include azaleas, which are highly toxic. Other plants to avoid include cottonwood, elm, hazelnut tree, and poisonous ferns. It is important to prevent goats from ingesting toxic plants to keep them healthy.

While some dogwoods can produce larger fruits that are not poisonous to goats, the fruits of our native flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, do not have a very pleasing flavor.

They are not considered poisonous but are inedible, and consuming them in excess may cause gastrointestinal distress. Red-twig Dogwood, Cornus sericea, is an important browse for many wildlife animals including deer, elk, moose, Mountain Goats, and rabbits.

It is crucial for goat owners to be aware of the safe and unsafe plants for their goats. Edible plants for goats include juniper, spruce, Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa pine, red pine, and cedar in small amounts.

However, there are many plants that should be avoided due to their toxicity, such as azaleas, cottonwood, elm, hazelnut tree, and certain ferns.

Always consult a veterinarian or an expert in goat nutrition to ensure that your goats are consuming a balanced and safe diet to maintain their well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions On Can Goats Eat Flowering Dogwood

Are Dogwoods Poisonous To Goats?

Dogwoods are generally not poisonous to goats. However, some dogwoods may produce berries that are inedible and can cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed in excess. It is best to avoid feeding dogwood berries to goats, as they do not have a pleasing flavor.

Are Flowering Dogwood Berries Poisonous?

Flowering dogwood berries are not poisonous to goats. However, goats may not find them very tasty and may only consume them out of curiosity. It is important to note that while dogwood berries are not considered poisonous, consuming them in excess can cause gastrointestinal distress in goats.

Can Goats Eat Red Dogwood?

Goats can eat red dogwood, as it is not poisonous to them. However, the taste may not be appealing to goats, so they may not consume it willingly. It is important to note that while red dogwood is safe for goats, there are other trees and plants that are toxic and should be avoided.

What Trees Are Safe For Goats To Eat?

Goats can safely eat certain trees like dogwood, elm, fescue grass, fern, and grape in moderation. They can also eat trees like juniper, spruce, Douglas fir, hemlock, ponderosa pine, red pine, and cedar in small amounts. However, it’s important to avoid poisonous plants and trees like azaleas.

Giving goats tree branches is a healthy choice, as they prefer woody plants over other vegetation.

Conclusion

While flowering dogwood berries are not considered poisonous to goats, they are not particularly tasty either. Most goats will not show much interest in eating them, except for occasional curious tastes. It is important to offer a variety of safe and nutritious plants for goats to browse on, prioritizing woody plants, broadleafs, and forbs.

Always ensure that the plants you provide for your goats are not toxic or harmful to their health.