Can Having Cats Around Harm Goats?

Goats and cats are animals that commonly share the same barnyard and on many occasions become companions to each other. However, there are some illnesses these creatures can pass back and forth as well as to their human caretakers. To prevent unnecessary illness for all parties involved, a routine vaccination and de-worming schedule can prevent disease and parasite infestations from infecting the entire barnyard community.

  1. Vaccinations

    • While vaccinations cannot prevent every major illness, they do prevent animals from contracting the most common diseases such as rabies and fatal flues. However, there is no vaccination for toxoplasmosis to prevent infection in either goats or cats. The germs that cause this disease are found in cat fecal matter. Goats generally contract this toxoplasmosis by ingesting grass or hay that has been soiled by cat fecal matter. Cats may show no symptoms, where as goats generally develop flu-like symptoms. Humans contract toxoplasmosis from handling litter pans from infected cats or ingesting raw goat milk from infected goats.

    Parasite Control

    • External parasites common to both goats and cats such as ringworm can be avoided with routine de-worming schedules, as can intestinal parasites. However, goats and cats should not share parasite control methods. Farm supply stores usually carry both types of de-wormers and can recommend what type is most effective for the area. Never house sick animals or livestock near healthy animals. Should one or the other become ill, separate them from the barnyard and seek appropriate veterinary treatment.

    Good Sanitation

    • Good sanitation practices also prevent disease and illness from running loose around the barnyard. Hay covers prevent cats from soiling stored hay, and hay mangers keep clean hay up off the ground during feeding times to prevent parasite and bacterial infections. Use plastic containers with tight fitting lids to prevent cats from soiling stored food. Teach cats to use a specific area of the barnyard by providing litter boxes in the areas of the barn where goats are not allowed to roam to prevent cats from using pasture areas.

    Considerations

    • While barn cats are expected to keep vermin such as mice and snakes out of the barnyard, wildlife such as mice, moles, and birds carry potential internal parasites. Feeding barn cats a quality diet keep cats healthy and reduces that chance of them ingesting their prey. If cats use a specific area of the barnyard to relieve themselves, till the ground ever so often with an organic soil cleaner to prevent bacteria from taking over the barnyard community.