Avocados, also known as alligator pear or butter fruit, are a variety of berries.
Avocados contain a high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
They can provide a variety of benefits when incorporated into a varied, nutritious diet.
We can see that avocados are super nutritious. But, are they beneficial and safe for donkeys to consume? Can donkeys eat avocados? Let’s find out
Can Donkeys Eat Avocados?
No, donkeys cannot eat avocado. This is because avocados are unsafe for most ruminants including donkeys. Avocados contain persin, which is toxic to donkeys. Some other foods that are toxic to donkeys include kale, potatoes, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Several other fruits can be poisonous to donkeys as well. They are peaches, apricots, plum, and other stone fruits.
In this article, you’ll learn about several things that make avocado unsuitable for donkeys. So, continue reading.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Avocados To Donkeys
Avocados are quite nutritious to humans. But this is not the case for donkeys. Avocado contains Vitamin K, C, B5, B6, E, and A.
They are also a good source of folate, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.
They are super beneficial to humans. However, they cause more harm than good to donkeys. Here are some side effects of avocados on donkeys
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This has to do with the donkey’s digestive system. It has an impact on the gastrointestinal tract from their mouth to their anus.
Infections from bacteria, viruses, and, most notably, food allergies can all cause gastrointestinal pain. If a donkey consumes avocado fruits, leaves, or seeds, it becomes particularly sensitive to gastrointestinal upset.
Diarrhea, regurgitation, weakness, absence of feces are some symptoms of gastrointestinal upset in donkeys.
2. Allergies
Avocados, like nearly any other food, may cause allergic reactions in your donkey. Rarely, this can result in anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition.
Some symptoms of allergy to avocados include sneezing, coughing, swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing.
3. Necrosis of the Myocardium
Myocardial necrosis/infarction is also known as a heart attack. It happens when a blood vessel in the heart gets unexpectedly clogged, blocking blood flow throughout the body.
Avocado consumption has been linked to the development of cardiac necroses in donkeys and other mammals.
Myocardial Necrosis is caused by a variety of factors such as nutritional inadequacies, physical traumas, and chemical and plant poisons.
Myocardial necrosis occurs both in humans and mammals. This disorder causes weakness, a rise in heart rate, collapse, and, in the worst-case scenario, abrupt death.
Because all components of an avocado contain the fungal toxin persin, giving it to a donkey may cause it to develop this cardiac condition, putting its health in danger.
4. Death
Since avocados contain a fungicidal poison, they are dangerous to the donkey’s health. As a result, feeding avocado to a donkey is equivalent to feeding it poison.
As previously stated, it will inevitably result in serious health issues. However, in the worst-case scenario, if not carefully and swiftly checked, it could result in the donkey’s death.
Here is an article I wrote on what do donkeys eat?
How Often Should I Feed Them Avocados?
As earlier stated, avocados are not healthy for donkeys. Therefore, they shouldn’t be fed to donkeys at all.
Avocado toxicity can result in major health complications such as airway obstruction, fatigue, gastrointestinal inflammation, and depression in most animals.
Avocado consumption can produce swellings and edematous heads and necks in some donkeys.
As a result, it’s recommended to keep this fruit away from your donkeys.
However, if you suspect your donkey has eaten any part of an avocado, don’t freak out. First, record how much avocado it has consumed.
Then, as soon as possible, contact your veterinarian or your Local Animal Poison Control Center.
Can Mini Donkeys Eat Avocados?
No, mini donkeys cannot eat avocados. Avocados could be more harmful to mini donkeys.
This is because they cannot survive the toxin contained in avocado.
Feeding avocados to little donkeys, on the other hand, would most likely result in a gastrointestinal upset, myocardial necrosis, or even death.
Mini donkeys should be given hay and grass. They can also be given treats like carrots, bananas, pears, and apples.
Your mini donkeys would definitely love these treats.
It’s also important to supply them with clean water. Check their water regularly to ensure that it is free of insects and algae. Furthermore, keep their water away from direct sunlight.
Can Donkeys Eat Avocado Peels?
No, donkeys cannot eat avocado peels. Although it is very easy to assume that avocado peels are a portion of very delicious food for donkeys.
However, donkeys can’t eat it. They are not safe for the donkeys because donkeys can’t dissolve the toxins that are present in them.
Also check out this article I wrote on can donkeys eat kiwi
Can Donkeys Eat Avocado Leaves?
Given that donkeys’ diets are made up of leaves, it is possible to assume that any leaf is good for them.
However, this is not the case. Avocado leaves are equally toxic to donkeys.
Surprisingly, avocado leaves are more dangerous to eat by the donkeys compared to the avocado fruit. They contain the most toxic elements.
Based on some research, donkeys that ingest 20 grams of avocado leaves have developed severe mastitis. While others that consume 30 grams of avocado leaves get a cardiac injury.
Typically, no part of an avocado is edible for donkeys. This is to show how toxic this fruit is to donkeys. Both the seeds, leaves, flesh and peels are toxic to donkeys.
However, it has been shown that ripe avocados contain less persin compared to unripe avocados. Whichever the case may be, avocados are bad for donkeys.
Things To Watch Out For Before Feeding Them Avocado
Avocado contains persin. Persin is a substance derived from fatty acids contained in avocados. This has been discovered to be harmful to donkeys.
If a donkey ingests avocado, the toxin can cause colic, irregular heartbeat, respiratory distress, neurologic dysfunction, edema, and other signs of illness.
If you are considering, feeding this fruit to donkeys, you definitely have to keep this in mind. Ingestion of fruit, leaves, stems, and seeds of avocado are associated with toxicosis in animals.
Noted that both ripe and unripe avocado is a toxin to donkeys. Yes, ripe avocados are less toxic compared to unripe avocados. But none should be given to donkeys anyway.
Conclusion
Avocado is a big no-no for donkeys. They are very nutritious to humans but they are toxic to donkeys.
Avocado contains persin which is very toxic to donkeys. Consuming avocados can cause gastrointestinal upset, myocardial necrosis, allergies, and even death in worst cases.
All parts of avocado including its leaves, flesh, seeds, and peels are not edible for donkeys.
Donkeys shouldn’t be fed with avocados hence their health will be greatly affected. And in worse cases, it can also lead to their death.
