Baby goats tend to display a lot of strange behaviors that leave you scratching your head. From drinking pee to jumping around aimlessly in the air, a baby goat loves to do odd things. While we de not know why baby goat’s perform some of these behaviors, there are some natural explanations for some of them. This is the case for sneezing. If you have ever been around a baby goat, particularly around a group of baby goats, then you probably noticed how often they sneeze. It’s almost as if they are using the sneezes to talk to one another. This is going to be the topic of today’s discussion, as we explain why baby goats sneeze.
Why do baby goats sneeze
Baby goats sneeze for three main reasons: to sound alarm, dust, to play, and allergies.
Sound alarm
One of the main reasons baby goats sneeze is to sound alarm to other goats. It is similar to the way that dogs will bark at something that they think poses a threat to them. This is usually the case when a baby goat feels threatened and they want to let the other goats know. It is also common for an adult goat to sneeze in order to get the rest of the group’s attention. The goat may be sneezing because they see another animal, or if they see an unfamiliar human approaching.
Dust
Another main reason baby goats sneeze is because of the presence of dust or mold. This is most likely the cause if your hay is kept too long in one place. This is why it is very important that you keep the goat’s living quarters as clean and fresh as possible. It is also important to have good air circulation so dust doesn’t build up in their den. While dust usually doesn’t get your goat sick right away, over time it can cause respiratory issues and trouble breathing if not taken care of.
Play
Just like any other mammal, baby goats love to play with one another. Since goats can’t talk like humans, they must use other physical and verbal signs to communicate. When goats are playing and getting excited, they will sneeze at each other as a way of talking.
Allergies
Just like humans and other animals, baby goats are susceptible to allergies. It can be a food allergy, but most of the time a baby goat sneezing is a result of an allergy to some kind of plant. One of the most common allergies for baby goats is pollen. Baby goats have very sensitive nasal canals and throats, especially if they are very young. This can cause them to have allergies to multiple types of plants and substances. Luckily, as baby goats grow older and mature, they usually outgrow these allergies.
Should you worry if your goat is sneezing?
As you read above, there is no need to worry if your goat is sneezing all the time. The reason your goat is sneezing is most likely related to a natural reason that they will soon outgrow. However, it is important to ensure your goat has clean living quarters if you notice they are sneezing a lot.
