Donkey Care - What every UK owner needs to know

Caring for a donkey in the UK can be challenging because their natural environment is very different from ours. Donkeys evolved in hot, dry climates, and their physical and behavioural needs reflect that. They also have important differences from horses, so keeping the two species together can create additional management challenges. This guide covers the fundamentals of good donkey care and highlights key areas where donkeys require specific attention.

Feeding Your Donkey

Donkeys originate from arid, sparsely vegetated landscapes where they spend up to 16 hours a day browsing and grazing on low-energy, high-fibre plants. Their digestive system is designed for this type of diet. In contrast, the UK’s lush, green pasture is far richer than anything they would naturally encounter.

• Weight management — Donkeys gain weight very easily on grass that a horse might tolerate without issue. Grass intake must be carefully monitored and restricted to prevent obesity and related health problems.
• Primary diet: straw — A donkey’s main forage should be straw, which is high in fibre but low in energy. Feeding straw ad lib, or little and often, allows donkeys to trickle-feed throughout the day, mimicking their natural behaviour. Hay or haylage can be added for donkeys that need to gain weight or during periods when grass is unavailable.
• Hard feed — Avoid cereal-based hard feeds. If your donkey requires additional calories or nutritional support, choose high-fibre nuts instead.
• Safe weight loss — Never starve an overweight donkey. Doing so can trigger hyperlipemia, a serious and potentially fatal condition. Weight loss must be gradual and controlled, with no more than 5 kg per month.

Day-to-Day Care: Top Tips

• Shelter — Donkey hair is not waterproof. All donkeys must have access to shelter 24/7 so they can escape wind, rain, and strong sun.
• Turnout — Turnout is essential for donkeys to express natural behaviours such as grazing, browsing, exercising, and playing with companions.
• Companionship — Donkeys form strong emotional bonds with their herd mates. Separation is extremely stressful for them. If one donkey needs to travel to the vet, bring their companion along to reduce anxiety.
• Handling and grooming — Regular handling and grooming help keep your donkey healthy and ensure they are cooperative for routine care such as farrier visits and veterinary examinations. If your donkey becomes ill, it is vital that they tolerate necessary treatments.
• Enrichment — Donkeys are curious and enjoy exploring objects with their mouths. Enrichment ideas include hiding treats, offering footballs or welly boots, or fixing a broom head to a wall so they can enjoy a good scratch.
• Heat management — Donkeys have thicker coats than horses and may struggle in hot weather. Clipping can help keep them comfortable during warmer months.
• Hoof care — Donkey hooves should be trimmed regularly by a farrier to maintain good foot health.

Routine Veterinary Care

• Vaccinations — Donkeys require flu and tetanus vaccinations just like horses. They can catch equine flu from horses and are at risk of tetanus if they sustain a wound.
• Dental care — It is a common misconception that donkeys do not need dental checks because they are often not ridden or worked. In reality, donkeys suffer from the same dental issues as horses and should have routine dental examinations every 12 months, or more frequently if they have ongoing dental conditions.
• Worm control — Regular worm egg counts help determine whether treatment is needed, following the same principles used for horses.
• Parasite management — Donkeys’ thick coats make them more susceptible to lice and mites, which can cause itching and skin damage. If you suspect an infestation, contact your vet for advice.

Recognising Pain

A DULL DONKEY IS AN EMERGENCY

Donkeys are naturally stoic and often hide signs of pain. In the wild, this behaviour helps them avoid drawing attention from predators or being rejected by their herd. As a result, signs of discomfort are subtle, and by the time a donkey shows obvious symptoms, they may already be in serious trouble.

Signs of pain include:

• Separating themselves from their companions
• Decreased appetite
• ‘Sham eating’ — picking up food and holding it without swallowing
• Weight shifting between legs
• A “pain face”: flared nostrils and worried eyes
• Increased respiratory rate
• Pacing
• Dullness or reduced engagement
• Head held below the withers, ears flat to the sides (“motorbike bars”)
• Any behaviour that is simply not normal for your donkey, such as failing to come for food

Knowing your donkey’s usual behaviour is essential. Subtle changes should always be taken seriously and acted on quickly.

Key Diseases

Hyperlipemia

Donkeys are particularly prone to hyperlipemia, a condition that occurs when the body runs out of glucose and begins breaking down fat for energy. If this continues, fat accumulates in the liver, leading to liver failure and potentially death. If your donkey has not eaten for a prolonged period, this is an emergency — contact your vet immediately.

Laminitis, EMS, and PPID

Like ponies, donkeys are at risk of laminitis and hormonal disorders such as EMS and PPID. Their foot structure differs from horses, and medications used to treat EMS and PPID carry increased risks in donkeys, so treatment must be managed with caution. Your vet can advise you if your donkey shows signs of these conditions.

Hoof Conditions

Donkeys evolved in dry climates, so UK winters with wet or muddy ground can quickly lead to hoof problems such as white line disease, thrush, and abscesses.

Helpful management strategies include:

• Providing a hard standing area (e.g., a concrete yard) so hooves can dry out
• Ensuring year-round access to shelter
• Using straw bedding to keep hooves and skin dry and comfortable

Further Support

The Donkey Sanctuary offers excellent resources for donkey owners, and we encourage you to explore their website to learn more about donkey care.

At Avonvale Equine Vets, we love seeing donkeys. If you would like to discuss your donkey’s health or management, please get in touch with one of our vets.