Sheep and goats are increasingly gaining popularity as pets and companions, celebrated for their gentle nature and responsiveness to human interaction. If you’re drawn to the idea of a unique pet, you might be wondering, “Can You Have A Sheep As A House Pet?” While the image of a fluffy sheep roaming your living room might be charming, it’s essential to delve into the realities of keeping sheep, even miniature breeds, as pets. This guide will walk you through the key considerations to help you make an informed decision about welcoming a sheep into your life.
Is a Sheep the Right Pet for You?
Before you impulsively decide to bring home a lamb, it’s crucial to understand the commitment involved. Keeping any farm animal as a pet requires careful planning and realistic expectations. Start by checking local zoning laws and homeowner association rules to ensure keeping livestock is permitted in your area. Consider whether you have the time, resources, and long-term plan to care for sheep. What will happen when you travel? What if you find sheep ownership isn’t a good fit? Rehoming pet sheep can be challenging, so careful consideration upfront is key.
While any sheep breed can technically be kept as a pet, certain breeds are better suited for companionship. For those seeking smaller pets, miniature goat breeds like Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy goats are often preferred. However, if your heart is set on sheep, hair sheep breeds are generally a more practical choice for pets. Unlike wool sheep, hair sheep don’t require shearing, as they naturally shed their coats annually, simplifying their care.
Remember that sheep are flock animals. They thrive in groups and can become stressed and lonely if kept alone. Ideally, you should keep at least two sheep to ensure their well-being and allow them to exhibit natural herding behaviors.
For pet purposes, female sheep (ewes) and castrated males (wethers) are generally recommended over intact males (rams). Rams tend to be larger, more assertive, and can exhibit aggressive behaviors, especially during mating season. While most sheep breeds are polled (hornless), horned sheep can pose safety risks, potentially getting their horns caught or using them aggressively. Polled sheep are generally safer and better suited as pets, particularly if interacting with children or other animals. While it’s generally acceptable to keep sheep and goats together, polled sheep are often a safer mix with other polled animals.
Creating a Safe and Secure Environment for Pet Sheep
Fencing and Predator Protection
Proper fencing is paramount for keeping sheep safe and contained. Goats are notorious escape artists, but sheep also require secure fencing to prevent them from wandering and to protect them from predators. Predator control is a critical aspect of sheep ownership. Sheep are vulnerable prey animals, susceptible to attacks from dogs, coyotes, and other wildlife.
If you have dogs or neighbors with dogs, ensure your fencing is robust enough to prevent dogs from accessing the sheep enclosure. Even if dogs don’t directly attack, their presence can cause significant stress and trauma to sheep, especially pregnant ewes.
Woven wire or net wire fencing is a highly effective and common choice for sheep and goat enclosures. These fences feature horizontal and vertical wires providing a strong barrier. High-tensile electric fences are also used in larger farm settings but may be less practical for smaller pet enclosures. Split-rail or board fences can be aesthetically pleasing but require mesh wire or electric wire reinforcement to effectively contain sheep and provide predator protection.
Barbed wire is not recommended for sheep due to the risk of injury. Tethering or staking sheep for grazing is also discouraged unless you can directly supervise them, as it leaves them extremely vulnerable to predators and entanglement.
Shelter and Exercise
Ideally, pet sheep should have access to a pasture for grazing and exercise. An acre of pasture can typically accommodate a pair of sheep. If pasture is unavailable, a pen or lot can suffice, but ensure it provides at least 50 square feet of exercise space per animal.
Sheep need shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions. A simple, sturdy structure providing protection from rain, snow, wind, and intense sun is sufficient. Goats are particularly sensitive to wet conditions and will seek shelter more readily than sheep. Maintaining a dry shelter environment is essential for preventing hoof problems and other health issues.
Maintaining Your Pet Sheep’s Health
Parasite Management
Maintaining the health of pet sheep involves proactive care, especially regarding parasite control. Internal parasites, commonly known as “worms,” are a prevalent health concern in sheep and goats. Worm eggs in feces contaminate pasture, and sheep become infected when grazing. While a low worm load is normal, excessive worm infestations can cause illness and even death.
The barber pole worm is a particularly problematic parasite in sheep. This blood-sucking worm leads to blood loss and anemia. A key indicator of barber pole worm infestation is pale lower eyelids in sheep. If the eyelids appear pinkish-white or white instead of a healthy pink, deworming with an effective anthelmintic (dewormer) is necessary.
Young sheep (under 12 months) are more susceptible to parasites and may require multiple deworming treatments in their first year. Older sheep develop some immunity and may need less frequent deworming. Consult with a veterinarian to determine appropriate deworming strategies and medications approved for sheep.
Coccidia are another common parasite affecting sheep, particularly lambs. These single-celled protozoa can cause scours (diarrhea) and weight loss by damaging the intestinal lining. Like worms, young animals are most vulnerable, while adults develop immunity. Coccidiostats can be used preventatively, but veterinary consultation is recommended for treatment and prevention strategies. It’s important to note that coccidiostats are toxic to horses and related animals.
Vaccinations and General Care
Annual vaccinations are vital for protecting sheep from clostridial diseases like overeating disease and tetanus, especially in pregnant ewes. The CD-T vaccine is commonly used and requires an initial two-dose series followed by annual boosters. Vaccination is administered via subcutaneous injection. Rabies vaccination requires veterinary administration.
Regular health monitoring is key. Signs of illness in sheep include isolation, loss of appetite, drooping head, ears, and tail, and teeth grinding (indicating pain). Normal body temperature for sheep is 102-103°F. Elevated temperature suggests fever and potential infection.
Minor ailments like non-infectious diarrhea may respond to probiotics or over-the-counter remedies like Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol. Avoid Immodium AD, as it can harm their digestive system. Consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen, or if you are unsure about treatment.
Hoof Care
Regular hoof trimming is an essential part of sheep care. Frequency varies, but trimming is needed to remove overgrown hoof, ensuring proper gait and preventing hoof problems. Use specialized hoof shears for trimming.
Goat hooves can be trimmed with the animal standing, while sheep hoof trimming is often easier with the sheep positioned on its rump. Trim hooves conservatively, stopping when you see pink, indicating proximity to the blood supply. Properly trimmed hooves should have a parallel alignment of the nail, sole, and heel with the hoof’s growth bands.
Shearing Considerations
While hair sheep eliminate the need for shearing, wool sheep require annual shearing, typically performed by a professional shearer using electric clippers. Learning to shear yourself is possible but requires practice. Choosing hair sheep breeds simplifies pet sheep ownership by removing the shearing requirement.
Feeding Your Pet Sheep
Understanding sheep’s dietary needs is crucial for their health and well-being. Sheep are ruminants with a four-compartment stomach designed for forage-based diets. Their natural diet consists of grasses, clover, weeds, and hay. Sheep are grazers, preferring grasses and clover, while goats are browsers, favoring woody plants and shrubs.
Nutritional needs vary based on size, age, and reproductive status. Non-pregnant, non-lactating adult sheep have relatively low nutritional requirements, needing only about 2% of their body weight in dry feed daily. For example, 3 pounds of hay can meet the daily needs of a 150-pound sheep. Their protein requirement is modest, around 8-10% of their diet. Pasture or hay often suffices for adult pet sheep. Alfalfa hay is generally unnecessary and not recommended for pet sheep.
Grain should be offered sparingly as a treat or training tool, not as a dietary staple. Excessive grain intake can lead to serious health problems like overeating disease, acidosis, and urinary calculi. If grain is given, use commercially formulated sheep feeds and avoid mixing with other feed types. Sheep are sensitive to copper, so avoid feeds formulated for other livestock, including goats, unless specifically designed for sheep.
Lambs and growing sheep have higher nutritional needs and can benefit from small amounts of grain. However, obesity is a common concern in pet sheep. A forage-based diet minimizes the risk of obesity and digestive issues.
Feed should always be offered in troughs or mangers to prevent contamination and parasite ingestion. Provide continuous access to fresh, clean water and a sheep-specific trace mineralized salt supplement. Loose mineral mixes are preferred over mineral blocks. Adequate water intake is essential for preventing urinary calculi, especially in male sheep.
Conclusion: Sheep as Pets – A Rewarding but Demanding Choice
So, “can you have a sheep as a house pet?” While technically possible, and miniature breeds might seem appealing, sheep are not truly suited to indoor living. They are outdoor animals requiring space, specific care, and social interaction with their own kind. Keeping sheep as pets can be incredibly rewarding, offering companionship and unique charm. However, it demands significant commitment, including proper housing, fencing, healthcare, and dietary management. Before getting sheep as pets, carefully consider your resources, lifestyle, and ability to meet their specific needs. If you can provide the right environment and care, these gentle creatures can become wonderful additions to your life.
