If you are looking for a very quiet pet, then a goat obviously shouldn’t be on the list you are considering. Yes, goats are loud and scream a lot. Curiously, some of those bleats sound like a human crying. And, of course, these screams can be upsetting at times. But what makes your goat scream?
A goat’s screams – or bleats – are means of communication. A screaming goat could be trying to signal that it is in pain, hungry, in danger, in heat, or even mother goats calling on to their young ones. There is no one bleating pattern. Some goats can sound like a screaming human child or an aged man yelling.
How can you specifically tell what your goat is trying to communicate to you when it screams? Can you make it yell less? What breeds of goats scream the most? These are some of the questions we will address in this guide.
What Does It Mean When a Goat Screams?
A goat screams when it is trying to pass a concrete message or demonstrate its emotions. Let us examine some of the reasons why your goat could scream.
A Goat Can Scream When Thirsty or Hungry
Unlike you that can courteously ask for a glass of water (when thirsty) or food (when hungry), a goat doesn’t have such refined vocabulary.
When your goat is hungry or in need of hydration, its preferred means of calling your attention is screaming. When you hear that unsettling screech, you should be reminded you have not fed your goat in a while.
Goats Scream When Trying to Call on to Each Other
Sorry, goats don’t send emails. When they need to communicate among themselves – be it a mother goat calling on to its kids or just another goat reaching out to a fellow caprine – it would naturally bleat.
A Bored Goat Would Scream
There are many things you can cope with, but definitely not a bored goat. If you don’t know, goats are high-activity animals that need stimulation from time to time.
When lacking such stimulation – say the goat is lonely or bored – it could scream like crazy.
Goats Could Scream When Hurt
Just like you, goats communicate anguish by screaming. When a goat is in pain, expect a high-pitch scream. It is not uncommon to find a goat trying to extricate itself from an inconveniencing entanglement bleating profusely.
A goat that is ill will also scream as it tries to communicate to you that all is not fine with its health. When a goat perceives danger – say it senses an approaching predator – it will also bleat either to announce the imminent threat to its herd or you for protection.
Goats Scream When Elated
Goats are very emotional animals. They feel bursts of excitement too. Sadly, they don’t have a courteous way of expressing such elation other than in screams and jumps.
Try to give a goat sweets and make the mistake of delaying the sweets (from the goat’s reach for too long), and what you likely get is a screaming reprimand from your goat.
How Do You Get a Goat to Stop Screaming?
A goat ordinarily doesn’t go screaming about without reason. Trying to address the reason behind the screams is the most effective way to stop a goat from screaming. Let us give you some cues.
Make Sure to Assuage Your Goat’s Needs
A screaming goat is 9 out of 10 times a goat in need. If your goat is screaming, it could be because it is not getting enough food or water. A goat can also cry for extra warmth or weather drops below freezing conditions – as typical of winter.
When you can identify and satisfy the need, the goat is likely to stop screaming. If you notice that your goat is adequately fed and yet screaming, it could be for sweets.
Feel free to ignore your goat in such circumstances. Giving in and supplying your goat sweets when it screams just for it will reinforce such negative behavior.
Check if the Goat is Ill or in Pain
As we have said, a goat in discomfort will likely scream to call your attention. When you notice persistent screams from your goat (even when they have food and water), it could be that the goat is afflicted.
This could be either the goat being ill or in acute pain. Foot issues are some of the most common causes of physical discomfort in goats. Also, worms are infamous for dealing pain on goats. If your goat is unreasonably screaming, check its foot before taking it to a vet.
Train the Goat to Observe a Routine
When goats scream for food and other nourishment, it is likely because they are uncertain when such would come. Goats are smart enough to observe patterns, especially the timing of the supply of their food.
If you can create a routine in caring for your goat – and religiously keep to it – the goat would learn to anticipate you and feel less insecure.
It would know when it would get its food, water, treats, and other nourishment. This way, your goat is far less likely to make a fuss by screaming.
Do Mountain, Fainting, and Baby Goats Scream?
Screaming is an intrinsic behavior of goats – regardless of their species. Yes, all goats scream, from the mountain and Nubian to the Nigerian Dwarf and Alpine goats.
Nonetheless, all goat breeds don’t scream at the same frequency. Some are quieter, while some are more ardent screamers. For example, the Boer doesn’t fancy screaming as much as the Nubian goat, which is notoriously loud.
Baby goats scream majorly when they need food. They would also scream when in pain and feeling sick.
Why Do Male Goats Scream?
Like any goat, the male goat screams when it is hungry, threatened, ill, or in pain. But aside from that, male goats scream more frequently during the breeding season as they search for mates.
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Mike is the Founder of Familylifeshare. Mike is well-knowledged in marriage, parenting, dogs, blogging and committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with his readers. Know more about Mike from here.
