🐴 Feeding Donkeys and Mules: How to Avoid Obesity and Keep Them Healthy in 2025 🫏🌿

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Donkeys and mules may look like horses—but they are very different nutritionally. In 2025, we know that feeding them like small horses can be a recipe for serious health problems, including obesity and laminitis. Let’s explore how to feed your donkey or mule safely and effectively. 🧠🐾

🫏 Donkeys: Adapted for Survival

Donkeys evolved in arid regions, where food was scarce and low in quality. As a result, their digestive systems are extremely efficient at:

• 🌾 Extracting nutrients from coarse, low-energy forages
• 🔥 Conserving energy with a low metabolic rate
• 📉 Needing less protein and calories than horses

Feeding donkeys like horses—especially with grain or improved pastures—will almost always lead to rapid weight gain and metabolic disorders. ❌

🧮 How Much Should You Feed a Donkey?

Rule of thumb: Donkeys should eat about 1.5% of their body weight in dry matter daily (mostly hay or grass).

📊 For a 400 lb donkey:

• ✅ Feed: ~6 lbs of hay or low-quality pasture

In contrast, a 400 lb pony or mini horse needs about 8 lbs daily (2% body weight). That’s a 25% difference—and explains why donkeys get obese when fed like ponies. ⚠️

🌿 What Kind of Forage Is Best?

Donkeys thrive on low-energy forage. Ideal options include:

• 🌾 Barley straw
• 🌾 Wheat straw
• 🍂 Coarse, mature grass hay (not alfalfa or clover)
• 🚫 Avoid improved Bermuda or ryegrass pastures

While it was once feared straw could cause colic or ulcers, studies now show no increased risk when fed properly. ✅

💪 What About Protein?

Exact protein needs in donkeys aren’t fully established, but early research suggests:

• 🧪 They require less protein than horses
• 🌿 High-protein hays like alfalfa are too rich for most donkeys

Stick to lower-protein hay or straw-based diets unless your vet advises otherwise. 🧬

🥄 Do Donkeys and Mules Need Grain?

Rarely. Most donkeys do not require any sweet feed or concentrates. However, a small handful of low-starch feed may be used:

• 🧠 For training treats
• ⚖️ In special cases of underweight donkeys or foals

Mules may have higher energy requirements depending on work level, but still do not need large grain meals unless under heavy load or in hard training. 🏋️‍♂️

⚠️ Common Mistakes in Donkey Nutrition

• ❌ Letting donkeys graze lush horse pastures
• ❌ Feeding sweet feeds or pony balancers
• ❌ Giving them free access to alfalfa or legume hay
• ❌ Skipping hoof care—overweight donkeys often develop laminitis

Overfeeding is the number one cause of health problems in pet donkeys. They may seem “easy keepers,” but they’re actually easy to harm with rich feed. 💔

📲 Ask A Vet About Donkey and Mule Diets

Need a custom diet plan for your donkey or mule? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to access ration calculators, forage suggestions, and weight tracking tools. 📱🫏

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team are experienced in exotic equine nutrition and ready to help. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, donkeys and mules need less food, lower energy forage, and fewer extras than horses. Their systems are efficient—but easy to overload. With proper feeding and restraint, your donkey or mule can live a long, healthy, and pain-free life. 🐴🫏

Need a donkey diet template or straw-feeding guide? Visit AskAVet.com to download now 🌿🧪