Buyer protection
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No. Grass clippings are not suitable for donkeys – even when they are fresh and seem to be “just grass.” Cut grass ferments quickly, is often eaten hastily by donkeys, and can thus promote colic and choke. In addition, garden waste can easily contain plants that are toxic to donkeys.
Grass is grass, so why are grass clippings different?
In the pasture, a donkey plucks grass stem by stem. It chews for a long time and spreads its feeding over many hours. Grass clippings are the opposite: finely chopped, piled up, and consumed in large quantities in a short time.
- Hasty eating: Because the stems are already small, they are chewed less. Large, poorly chewed mouthfuls can get stuck in the throat.
- Fermentation: A pile of grass clippings heats up quickly, especially in summer. It begins to ferment, sometimes before it even reaches the donkey. Fermenting feed can put a heavy strain on digestion and promote colic.
- Sugar: A lawn is kept short all the time and therefore provides almost exclusively young grass. Young grass is relatively high in sugar. Too much sugar is considered a major risk for laminitis in donkeys.
Donkeys come from barren regions and are not small horses. Their digestive system is designed for high-fiber, low-energy, low-sugar feed. A bucket of fresh, young grass does not fit this.
The underestimated risk: what else is in the garden waste
Even those who only mow the lawn often pick up more than grass. And between grass clippings, hedge trimmings, leaves, or weeds can quickly end up. Some typical garden plants are considered toxic to horses and donkeys:
| Plant | Where it is often found |
|---|---|
| Yew | Hedges, topiary, cemeteries, and parks |
| Thuja (Arborvitae) | Privacy hedges |
| Cherry laurel | Evergreen hedges |
| Milkweed | Roadsides, wasteland, overgrown meadows; remains toxic even when dried |
| Boxwood, golden rain tree | Flowerbed borders, ornamental gardens |
The list is not complete. In addition, there are residues of lawn fertilizer, moss or weed killers, small stones, plastic scraps, or dog poop. Anyone who gives a pile of cuttings over the fence usually does not know exactly what is in it.
Well-intentioned: how you can really help as a neighbor
Most people who bring grass clippings to a donkey pasture mean well. Grass sounds like donkey food, and throwing it away would be a waste. Nevertheless, it is the wrong kind of help for the animals. What you can do instead:
- Dispose of grass clippings via compost or green waste collection, never over the fence of a pasture.
- Never feed other donkeys without the owner's permission. No grass, no fruit, no bread.
- Talk to the owners if you want to help. They are often happy about completely different things, such as a tip about an open fence.
- Respect signs such as “Please do not feed.” They have a reason.
And if you keep donkeys yourself: A friendly, clearly legible sign on the fence and a short conversation with the neighbors prevent most grass clipping gifts.
What to do if your donkey has eaten grass clippings?
Remove the rest immediately and look at what was in the pile: only grass, or also hedge trimmings, leaves, flowers? Roughly estimate how much was eaten. Then watch your donkey carefully: Is it eating as usual, passing stool, behaving as usual?
If it has eaten a large amount, if toxic plants may have been included, or if something seems unusual to you, call your veterinarian. Do not give home remedies or medications on your own.
What should be on the menu instead
Donkeys need above all straw, supplemented by late-cut, high-structure hay, fresh water, and limited, lean pasture. What that looks like in concrete terms is explained in Donkey Feed: Hay or Straw?. Why kitchen scraps are also not a good idea can be found in Can Donkeys Eat Salad?, and what can become dangerous on the pasture in autumn in Can Donkeys Eat Chestnuts?. For designing the area, Donkey Keeping: Sand Instead of Pasture is suitable. You can find the complete overview here: What Donkeys Are Allowed to Eat: the Complete Feed List.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dry grass clippings and feed them as hay?
No. Grass clippings dry unevenly in the pile, mold easily, and contain foreign substances. Hay for donkeys is harvested and stored differently.
What if it is very fresh, clean cut without other plants?
Even then, no. The problem is not only what is in the pile, but also how donkeys eat it: quickly, in large quantities, and with little chewing. In addition, there is the sugar in the young grass.
Can donkeys eat hedge trimmings or branches from the garden?
No. Hedge trimmings in particular are risky because typical hedge plants such as yew, thuja, or cherry laurel are considered toxic. Only give branches for chewing if you know the plant for sure and it is considered suitable.
Can donkeys eat grass from the roadside?
Not recommended. Milkweed and other unsuitable plants often grow by the roadside, in addition to dog poop and litter. And you never feed other donkeys without the owner's permission anyway.
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 good 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.
