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Yes, donkeys can eat apples – but only occasionally and in small amounts. A small piece of apple, cut into thin slices, is fine as an occasional treat. Apples should not be in the feed trough every day or in large quantities, as they contain a lot of fruit sugar.
Why apples are only an exception for donkeys
Donkeys come from barren, dry regions. Their digestive system is designed to get as much as possible out of high-fiber, low-energy, low-sugar feed. That is why donkeys are not little horses: What a horse can still handle well is often already too rich for a donkey.
Apples taste sweet because they contain fruit sugar. A small piece hardly makes a difference to an otherwise sparsely fed donkey. But if apples become a habit, the sugar adds up. Too much sugar and starch, as well as overly rich feed, promote obesity and are considered a major risk for laminitis in donkeys. Colic can also be encouraged by improper feeding.
The basic rule is therefore: The apple is a treat, not a food item. What else donkeys are allowed to eat and what they are not can be found in our overview What donkeys are allowed to eat: the complete feed list.
How to prepare the apple properly
Donkeys chew thoroughly, but sometimes swallow hastily when they get something tasty. Round pieces or whole fruits can then get stuck in their throat. That is why:
- Wash the apple and only use fresh, flawless fruit – nothing rotten, moldy, or fermented.
- Remove the core.
- Cut the apple into thin slices. No round pieces, no bite-sized cubes, no whole apples.
- Only offer a small piece, for example one or two thin slices.
- Feed from the flat of your hand or put it in the feed trough, do not throw it over the fence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How often? | Not every day, only occasionally as a treat. |
| How much? | A small piece, cut into thin slices. |
| Whole apple? | No – choking hazard and too much sugar at once. |
| Core? | Remove beforehand. |
| Fallen fruit? | Not in large quantities and never fermenting. |
| Overweight or history of laminitis? | Better to avoid it altogether. |
Fallen fruit and apple trees in the pasture
The bigger problem is often not the apple from the hand, but the apple tree in or next to the pasture. In late summer and autumn, a lot of fruit falls there. Donkeys eat it uncontrollably, and apples lying on the ground quickly begin to ferment.
- Regularly collect fallen fruit as long as the tree is bearing fruit.
- Fence off the area under the fruit trees during this time.
- Do not give apple scraps, piles of peels, or pomace from the juice press over the fence.
How you design the pasture overall so that donkeys move a lot and do not eat too richly can be read in the post Donkey keeping: Sand instead of pasture.
Better alternatives to the apple
The basis of donkey feeding is roughage: straw as a base, supplemented by high-structure hay, plus limited, lean pasture and fresh water at all times. You can find out more under Donkey feed: Hay, straw and basic feed.
As a treat, you don't necessarily need something edible. Many donkeys enjoy being scratched or brushed. Joint walks or small tasks during training are also a form of attention.
If it is to be a treat after all, similar rules apply to other varieties: Carrots and pears are also only occasionally and in small amounts. Bananas are very high in sugar and are rather not suitable.
What to do if the donkey has eaten a lot of apples?
It happens quickly: The donkey was left unattended under the apple tree, or visitors gave it a whole bucket of apples. First remove all remaining apples from its reach. Then observe your donkey carefully: Is it eating normally, is it defecating, is it moving as usual?
If you notice something, such as restlessness, lack of appetite, frequent lying down, a stiff gait, or other signs of colic, call your veterinarian. Do not try to treat anything yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can donkeys eat apple peels?
The peel can stay on the apple piece if the apple is well washed. Larger quantities of peels, such as leftovers from cooking apple sauce, do not belong in the feed trough.
Can donkeys eat apple seeds?
Apple seeds contain substances from which hydrogen cyanide can be produced. Therefore, remove the core before cutting the apple into slices.
Can donkeys eat dried apples?
Better not. During drying, the sugar is concentrated, a small piece of dried apple is significantly sweeter than a fresh piece. Sugared apple chips are completely unsuitable.
How often can a donkey get an apple?
Not every day. A small piece now and then as a treat is enough. If your donkey is overweight or has had laminitis before, it is better to avoid it altogether and discuss the feeding with your veterinarian.
This post provides general guidance on feeding donkeys. If you have questions about your animal, about pre-existing conditions, or noticeable symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
You want to do something good for donkeys without keeping one yourself? With a donkey sponsorship, you support donkey farms in Germany. And those who are curious about the food that we stand for as DON DONKEY'S® can find our donkey milk here.
