Donkeys can be pretty voracious eaters. They love munching on greens and goodies. But if you’re trying to find a healthy snack (or your donkey broke out of the fence for a plump red delicious), apples might be hot on the mind right now.
Luckily, donkeys can enjoy apples just like us. Of course, these fibrous, sweet, scrumptious fruits are not the main diet selection for donkeys, but they can make a splendid treat. We will learn about the specific relationship between donkeys and apples. Here we go.
Click to Skip Ahead:
- Apple Nutrition Facts
- Benefits for Donkeys
- Things to Consider
- How to Feed Donkeys Apples
- Balanced Donkey Diet
Donkeys Can Delight in Apples
Donkeys can enjoy various fruits and veggies on top of their normal daily rations of grain and greens. And apples are surely on the list of their favorite “sometimes” snacks. You might be surprised at just how quickly your donkey gobbles down a plump apple.
But there are some things to consider here, too—like feeding frequency, choking hazards, and high sugar content. So, even though apples are A-OK in moderation, you still have to be mindful of a few key points.
Apple Nutrition Facts
These facts are solely based on the apple listed below. Remember that each apple will vary slightly in nutrient content depending on size, species, and other environmental factors.
- Calories: 95
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Potassium: 195 mg
- Protein: 5 g
- Vitamin C: 14%
- Iron: 1%
- Vitamin B6: 5%
- Calcium: 1%
Apples are wholesome, healthy fruits that really mature in the fall months. They are a powerhouse of goodness, having many nutritious qualities for various mammals. If your donkey eats apples, it can strengthen many areas of overall health.
Apple Health Benefits for Donkeys
Crispy, yummy apples have numerous health benefits for donkeys—plus, donkeys love how they taste! But here are some actual health benefits of consuming this forbidden fruit.
- Reduces cancer risk- Because apples have dietary fiber and polyphenol compounds, they work together with gut microbes to potentially reduce cancer risk.
- Prevents diabetes– It’s pretty unlikely that your donkey would ever get diabetes, but eating apples reduces the risk even more. So even though that’s probably not the determining factor, it’s just a bonus.
- Boosts immunity- Apples contain a high amount of vitamin C, which can work in your donkey’s system to help boost its overall immunity.
- Manages blood pressure- Because apples are packed with polyphenols and potassium, they really conquer high blood pressure.
- Improves fur quality – Since apples contain vitamin B12 and biotin, they strengthen overall coat texture and appearance.
- Helps bowel movements- Apples are high in fiber, so they can significantly impact your donkey’s overall bowel health. They encourage appropriate bowel movements, keeping the system regular.
Things to Consider About Feeding Your Donkey Apples
Apples are usually all good for your donkey, but there are a couple of things to consider here.
Sugar Content
Apples are full of natural sugar, which makes a fab snack for the tastebuds. But that means it isn’t essential for daily eating. Too much sugar in the diet isn’t good for your donkey’s overall well-being.
Choking Hazards
If your donkey is going hog wild scarfing down an apple, there’s a chance they could choke. This is especially true if the donkey is still very young. To spoil your donkey while ensuring their safety, it’s best to slice the apple into a few different sections to make things easier.
Most full-size apples are perfectly fine to give your donkey whole, but you can never be too sure. Also, cutting the apple apart can make it ideally sized for distributing treats.
Diarrhea Concerns
Apples might be super fantastic for your donkey, but too many can wreak havoc on their gastrointestinal system. Your donkey can go from having regular bowel movements to having borderline diarrhea.
Too much fiber in the diet creates an imbalance. So just make sure you’re not overdoing it.
How to Feed Donkeys Apples
If your donkey has access, they won’t mind going right up to an apple tree and getting one for themselves. But if they don’t have that option, they’re going to have to rely on their keepers. Before you give your donkey an apple, it’s best if you wash it off, especially if it’s store-bought.
Store-bought apples can have pesticides on the exterior, which can irritate or upset your donkey’s system. You can then slice the apple into fours, and take out the cores if you prefer. You can then use these sections to feed individually, or to use during training.
Balanced Donkey Diet
Donkeys will absolutely love delighting themselves in fruity treats. But that is not the staple of a donkey’s primary diet. Donkeys are very much grain eaters that have an abundance of fiber without a lot of protein, sugar, or carbs.
You have to closely monitor your donkey’s body weight and overall appearance to ensure they’re getting the proper nutrition. If your donkey is lacking in nutrition, it’s best to add supplemental hay, especially during colder months.
- Oat straw
- Barley straw
- Meadow hay
- Seed hay
Chewing on this type of raw organic matter helps your donkey file their teeth down appropriately for good dental balance.
You can give your donkey a broad selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, but these should always be in moderation. Their primary food source is straw and hay. Everything else is just a bonus to your donkey’s routine diet.
Final Thoughts
It probably makes your donkey quite happy to know that they can safely eat apples. Apples can be a great training tool to take with you if they are all natural and preferably organic. If you have apple trees on your property, you can freely feed them to your donkey in moderation. If you offer store-bought apples, just ensure you wash them thoroughly first to eliminate any chemicals or residue.
Featured Image Credit: Polarpx, Shutterstock