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Yes, donkeys may eat pears – but only occasionally and in small amounts, just like apples. The pear should be ripe, firm and fresh, not fermented, and cut into narrow slices. Large quantities of fallen fruit should not be fed to donkeys.
Why pears should only be an exception
Donkeys come from barren regions. Their digestive system is adapted to high-fiber, low-energy, low-sugar feed. Pears are the opposite: soft, juicy and sweet – almost as high in sugar as apples. Too much sugar and too rich a diet promote obesity and are considered a major risk factor for laminitis in donkeys. Poor feeding can also promote colic.
A small piece of pear as a reward is therefore fine. As a regular snack or even as part of the feed, the pear is unsuitable. For overweight donkeys or donkeys with a history of laminitis, it is better to avoid it altogether.
Ripe, unripe, fermented: what matters with pears
With pears, the condition of the fruit matters more than with many other types of fruit. They ripen quickly, become mushy within a few days, and then begin to ferment.
| Condition | For donkeys? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe, firm, fresh | Occasionally and in small amounts | Cut into slices as a small reward |
| Unripe, rock-hard | Better not | Hard pieces are difficult to chew |
| Overripe, mushy | No | Ferments quickly |
| Fermented, rotten, moldy | No | Fermentation and mold strain the digestion |
| Dried pears | No | Concentrated sugar |
| Pear compote, canned goods | No | Added sugar, syrup |
How to cut a pear properly
- Wash the pear, twist off the stem.
- Cut out the core. Like apple seeds, the seeds contain substances that can produce hydrogen cyanide and should not be fed to donkeys.
- Cut the flesh into narrow slices. No round pieces, no half or whole pears – otherwise there is a choking hazard.
- Give a small piece from the flat of your hand. Not daily.
Fallen fruit and pear trees in the pasture
The real pear issue for donkey owners is rarely the slice from the hand. It is the pear tree in or next to the pasture. In late summer and autumn, new fruit falls down every day – and a donkey cannot regulate the amount itself. It eats what it finds.
Fallen fruit is problematic for several reasons:
- Amount: "A small piece" quickly becomes many pears a day – and thus a lot of sugar.
- Fermentation: Pears lying on the ground ferment quickly in warm weather. Fermented fruit should not be fed to donkeys.
- Whole fruit: Fallen fruit is eaten whole or in large chunks – exactly what you want to avoid when cutting it.
- Wasps: Sweet fallen fruit attracts wasps, which may also be on the fruit your donkey is about to put in its mouth.
What helps: regularly collect fallen fruit during the harvest season or fence off the area under the fruit trees during this time. The same applies to plum and damson trees – find out more in Can donkeys eat plums?. How you can design the area for your donkeys is described in our post on Donkey keeping with sand instead of pasture.
In orchard pastures and along walking paths, there is one more thing: passers-by like to throw fruit over the fence. A friendly sign saying "Please do not feed" helps. And conversely: never feed unknown donkeys without the owner's permission.
Better alternatives to pears
Pears and apples are very similar as treats. For both: occasionally, in small amounts, cut into slices. You can find the details about apples in Can donkeys eat apples?. If you are looking for something with less sugar, you can occasionally give a few lengthwise-cut cucumber strips – see Can donkeys eat cucumbers?.
The foundation always remains the same: straw as a base, supplemented with high-fiber hay, limited, lean pasture, and fresh water. You can find an overview in What donkeys may eat: the complete feed list.
Frequently asked questions
Can donkeys eat fallen fruit from the pasture?
Not in large quantities. A donkey cannot regulate the amount of fallen fruit itself, and pears lying on the ground ferment quickly. Collect fallen fruit regularly or fence off the area under the trees during the harvest season.
Can donkeys eat pears with the core?
No. Remove the stem and core and only give the flesh in narrow slices.
Which is better suited: pears or apples?
There is no major difference. Both are sweet and therefore only suitable occasionally and in small pieces. What matters more than the variety is that the fruit is fresh, ripe, and cut correctly.
My donkey ate a lot of pears under the tree – what should I do?
Take it away from the area and observe it closely: Is it eating normally, passing droppings, and moving as usual? If it is restless, reluctant to eat, lame, or shows other unusual symptoms, call your veterinarian. If it has eaten a large quantity, you can also call proactively to ask for advice.
This post provides general guidance on feeding donkeys. If you have questions about your animal, or if there are pre-existing conditions or unusual symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Would you like to do something nice for donkeys without keeping one yourself? With a donkey sponsorship, you support donkey sanctuaries in Germany. And anyone curious about the food that we stand for as DON DONKEY'S® will find our donkey milk here.
