Donkey and mule owners want their short furry partners to be happy. People who own donkeys know the joy they get when they spend time with their pets.
One thing all pet owners have in common is a desire to provide treats for their pets. But these snacks need to be safe and nutritious for the animals.
Can donkeys eat cucumbers?
As herbivores, donkeys eat mostly plant products which include grains, hay, fruits, and vegetables. Cucumbers a a favorite snack for donkeys. They provide many nutrients to donkeys and are a wonderfully safe snack.
How can you prepare cucumbers for donkeys? What else should you know about giving cucumbers to donkeys?
Let’s take a look at this snack option and what you need to know as a donkey owner.
Table of Contents
Giving Cucumbers to Donkeys
Donkeys are herbivores. As an herbivorous animal, a donkey eats plants and plant products.
Donkeys also have a strong digestive system, so they can eat some foods that horses cannot eat.
Nutritional Value of Cucumbers
Cucumbers offer awesome nutrients to your donkeys.
The table below shows the nutrients available in 100 grams of cucumber:
| Nutrient | Quantity |
| Carbohydrates | 3.63 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Moisture | 95.23 g |
| Protein | 0.65 g |
| Sugar | 1.67 g |
| Vitamins | 19 mg > |
| Minerals | 202.6 mg |
Examples of minerals found in cucumbers are:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Manganese
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
Examples of vitamins found in cucumbers are:
- Thiamine (b1)
- Riboflavin (b2)
- Niacin (b3)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin k
- Folate (b9)
As you can see, cucumbers are completely healthy for donkeys, and you can definitely treat your donkeys with cucumbers.
How to Feed Cucumbers to Donkeys
It is very easy to feed cucumbers to your donkey. Here are different ways to feed your donkeys with cucumbers:
- Feeding Cucumber By Itself: Donkeys will eat cucumbers just as they are. You can give them whole, sliced, or diced. Don’t worry about donkeys eating cucumber seeds because they are completely safe.
- Mixing Cucumbers with Other Fruits: You can mix other fruits with cucumbers and give them to your donkeys. Examples of fruits and other treats that you can give to your donkeys will be given later in this article.
- Offering Cucumbers with Leaves and Vines: Unlike tomato plants, cucumber plants are safe for donkeys and other animals. Donkeys can eat cucumber leaves and vines.
Useful Tips for Feeding Cucumbers to Donkeys
1. Do Not Use Cucumbers to Correct Any Nutrient Deficiency in Your Donkey
Cucumbers have a lot of nutrients, but you should not use cucumbers to solve any nutrient deficiency in your donkey.
Even though the needed nutrients may be in cucumbers, your donkey may not digest them quickly to make use of the nutrients, so you have to use other supplements.
If your donkey is not feeling well, contact your vet.
2. Give Pellets and Other Protein-Rich Feeds
Cucumbers do not have enough protein for donkeys to grow and reproduce, so your donkeys need an extra protein source.
Protein is responsible for the growth, repair of tissues, reproduction, and milk production.
A great source of protein for your donkeys is pellets. Other great sources of protein for your donkeys are:
- Hay
- Grains
- Fresh grass
- Leaves of legumes such as alfalfa
3. Feed Donkeys With Cucumbers as Treats
You can use cucumbers as treats to reward your donkey for good behavior.
If you feed them with cucumber too often, they might get used to it and won’t value them as much as they did.
Feed donkeys cucumbers as an occasional treat but not a regular meal.
4. Give More Cucumbers to Your Donkey in Summer
Cucumbers contain a large amount of water, so they can hydrate your donkey in the heat of summer.
You should give more cucumbers to your exhausted donkey in summer for a quick (and sweet) source of water.
Other Fruits and Treats Great for Donkeys
1. Apples
Apples are great fruits filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Donkeys love apples so much and will go crazy for them.
Just like cucumbers, you can give apples to your donkeys alone or in a fruit mix. Just make sure that your donkeys do not eat apple seeds because they have traces of cyanide in them.
2. Carrots
Carrots are awesome root vegetables rich in carotene, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
You can give as many carrots to your donkeys as you would like as part of a balanced diet that also includes protein-rich foods.
3. Bananas
Donkeys love bananas, which are sweet and packed with nutrients. They love banana peels too, and the peels are completely safe for them to eat.
You don’t have to throw your waste banana peels away because you can give them to your donkey. Just make sure that the peels are free from dirt.
4. Pellets
Processed pellets made for donkeys are packed with every nutrient that your donkey needs.
They are filled with protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that your donkey needs.
If you don’t have enough grass or hay for your donkeys, you can give them pellets. Pellets are helpful especially in winter.
5. Vegetables
You can give your donkey a variety of fresh vegetables including:
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Silverbeet
Final Thoughts
Donkeys can eat cucumbers whole, sliced, or mixed with other fruits. They can cucumber seeds as well.
Remember that donkeys need protein to grow, and cucumbers are not rich in protein. Be sure to give your donkeys extra protein sources as part of a balanced diet..
Resources
- https://www.answers.com/Q/Can_donkeys_eat_cucumbers
- https://donkeywise.org/2017/08/01/what-treats-can-i-give-my-donkeys/
- https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/knowledge-and-advice/for-owners/what-to-feed-your-donkeys
- https://7dailynuts.com/blog/can-donkeys-eat-cucumbers-84a379