Donkey Nutrition and Malnutrition.
Abstract: The domestic donkey is a unique equid species with specific nutritional requirements. This article examines the importance of feeding strategies that mimic the donkey's natural environment using poor nutritional quality fibers and access to browsing materials. The relationship between nutrition and health is examined and practical approaches to the healthy and sick donkey are discussed.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-10-03 PubMed ID: 31587972DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.004Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article focuses on the unique nutritional needs of the domestic donkey, emphasizing on feeding strategies that parallel its natural habitat, and discussing practical approaches towards handling sick and healthy donkeys. The article further investigates the correlation between nutrition and health in donkeys.
Key Concepts of the Study
- Nutritional Requirements of Donkey: The research emphasizes that domestic donkeys have specific nutritional needs based on their species’ unique characteristics. This broadens understanding of proper feed types and quantities for donkeys, providing a basis for optimising their health and wellbeing.
- Feeding Strategies: The study explores feeding strategies that mirror the donkey’s natural habitat. It points out the significance of using fibers of low nutritional quality and providing access to browsing materials. A better understanding of these strategies could lead to improved management practices in domesticating donkeys.
- Nutrition-Health Relationship: A major part of the research deals with the impact of nutrition on the health of donkeys. It introduces the concept that appropriate nutrition can prevent health problems, improve healing rates and enhance overall health condition in donkeys. The correlation between the diet and health of donkeys is explored comprehensively.
- Approaches to Donkey Health Management: The research discusses practical approaches to handling both healthy and sick donkeys with reference to their nutritional requirements. For sick donkeys, it proposes nutritional management strategies that could aid in their recovery. For healthy donkeys, the focus is on dietary practices that can maintain their wellbeing and increase their lifespan.
Significance of the Study
- This research adds to the scientific knowledge of equid, particularly donkey, nutrition and its impact on health, contributing to the effectiveness of dietary management in donkey’s healthcare.
- It offers practical guidelines regarding suitable feeding strategies that can be applied to improve the health status and longevity of domestic donkeys.
- It suggests that appropriate nutrition can be a preventative and treatment measure for various health conditions in donkeys, highlighting the significance of diet in equid healthcare.
- Overall, the outcomes of this research could lead to improvements in donkey husbandry, veterinary practices, and welfare guidelines, benefiting both donkeys and their caretakers.
Cite This Article
APA
Burden FA, Bell N.
(2019).
Donkey Nutrition and Malnutrition.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 35(3), 469-479.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Department, The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU, UK. Electronic address: faith.burden@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.
- Research Department, The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / standards
- Animals
- Equidae / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Malnutrition / etiology
- Malnutrition / metabolism
- Malnutrition / veterinary
- Nutritional Requirements
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Merridale-Punter MS, Wiethoelter AK, El-Hage CM, Hitchens PL. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Working Equid Lameness in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 10;12(22).
- Ebel F, Ulloa O, Strobel P, Ramírez-Reveco A. Semen Quality and Freezability Analyses in the Ejaculates of Two Poitou Donkeys in the Southern Hemisphere. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:662887.
- Deng L, Shi S, Li J, Tang C, Han Y, Xie P. A Survey of Smallholder Farms Regarding Demographics, Health Care, and Management Factors of Donkeys in Northeastern China. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:626622.
- Xing J, Liu G, Zhang X, Bai D, Yu J, Li L, Wang X, Su S, Zhao Y, Bou G, Dugarjaviin M. The Composition and Predictive Function of the Fecal Microbiota Differ Between Young and Adult Donkeys. Front Microbiol 2020;11:596394.
- Miraglia N, Salimei E, Fantuz F. Equine Milk Production and Valorization of Marginal Areas-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 22;10(2).
- Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Angeloni MG, Lee L, Bigi D, Padalino B. Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Equus asinus): Husbandry and Welfare in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
- Kou X, Liu Y, Xiang F, Zhang X, Khan MZ, Wu B, Wang H, Gong Y, Wang C, Ma Q, Li Y. Insights into the Donkey Hindgut Microbiome Using Metagenome-Assembled Genomes. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 16;14(24).
- Morrone S, Sechi S, Carta C, Senes A, Cocco R, Pinna Parpaglia ML, Sanna Passino E, Cappai MG. Nutritional management of hyperlipaemia in a jenny: a brief report. Vet Res Commun 2024 Oct;48(5):3323-3329.
- Benameur F, Belkaaloul K, Kheroua O. Isolation of 60 strains from fermented milk of mares and donkeys in Algeria and identification by 16S rRNA sequencing of lactobacilli: Assessment of probiotic skills of important strains and aromatic productivity power. Vet World 2024 Apr;17(4):829-841.
- Sobrero L, Dalla Costa E, Minero M. Management of Donkeys in Assisted Interventions: A Snapshot. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 21;14(5).
- Mendoza FJ, Toribio RE, Perez-Ecija A. Metabolic and Endocrine Insights in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 10;14(4).
- Ren W, Sun M, Shi X, Wang T, Wang Y, Wang X, Huang B, Kou X, Liang H, Chen Y, Wang C, Li M. Effects of Roughage on the Lipid and Volatile-Organic-Compound Profiles of Donkey Milk. Foods 2023 Jun 1;12(11).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists