Do goats really like to eat cans? – Sentinel and Enterprise

DEAR PET TALK: I’ve seen cartoons where you see goats eating tin cans. Is that something that happens? – Capricorn

DEAR CAPRICORN: I’m not surprised you are interested in goats, as Capricorn is the sign of the goat! (originally “Capricornus,” a goat with a fish-tail). Goats are remarkable and their domestication by humans goes back more than 10,000 years, according to “Domestication Process of the Goat Revealed by an Analysis of the Nearly Complete Mitochondrial Protein-Encoding Genes,” a scholarly study published by the National Library of Medicine.

“Goats spread globally and played an important role in the Neolithic agricultural revolution and advance of human civilization,” the study continues. Throughout human history – and through the present day, they have provided “essential sources of meat, milk, and fiber.” The environments they live in are diverse, and include: “humid tropical rain forest regions, dry, hot desert regions, and cold, hypoxic high altitude regions.”

But what do they eat? And what is good for them to eat? According to Tammy Hebert of Lunenburg, owner and “Goat Mama” of Central MA Goat Rental, tin cans are not on the diet, as a proper diet for a goat consists of green vegetation. In fact, Hebert regularly rents her herd of working goats should a homeowner want to deal with weed overgrowth, poison ivy or sumac, and other invasive plants. “This is a fun, efficient, and chemical-free way to clear unwanted brush, weeds and plants,” she explains.

If you’d like to see goats eating – you can hike with the goats at “Hebert’s Little Farm.” Visitors can hike into conservation area with Hebert and the herd of goats, who love to nibble all kinds of leaves on the way!

To learn more, visit: centralmagoatrental.com.

Postscript from “Sam S.” regarding last week’s “Pet Talk” about the kitty who pees around his dish. The family moved the dish onto a kitchen counter, which fixed the problem.

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Send questions to sallycragin@gmail.com.