Yes, they can? Even though they are a terrific treat for donkeys, they should be consumed in moderation because the donkeys will devour them all in one sitting. The figs can be eaten fresh or dried, so if you are offering them as a winter treat, use some dried figs.
What Are the Health Benefits of Figs to Donkeys?
Humans and donkeys alike can benefit from figs packed with nutrients.
Vitamins A, B-1, B-2, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, and the electrolytes sodium, potassium, and chloride are all found in figs.
Potassium has a significant impact in terms of heart health and blood pressure.
Soluble fiber, abundant in figs, lowers cholesterol and aids digestion. In addition, figs are rich in heart-healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
Copper and vitamin B6 are abundant in figs. For example, copper is a key component of metabolism and the creation of cellular energy.
In the process of making new proteins, vitamin B6 has an important role.
- Enhances digestive health. Because of their high fiber content, figs are typically recommended to nourish and tone the intestines. The prebiotic qualities of the fiber they give help feed the gut bacteria and promote a healthy gut environment, which promotes digestive health.
- Antioxidant-rich. Polyphenols, which are plant components that protect against disease, are found in figs, particularly ripe figs. It is important to note that these molecules have antioxidant characteristics, preventing oxygen from reacting with other chemicals, reducing the risk of cell and tissue damage.
- Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure level. Processed foods include a lot of sodium (salt), which many of us consume in excess. Potassium deficiency can contribute to elevated blood pressure when excessive sodium intake (hypertension). Potassium levels are naturally raised by a diet high in fruits and vegetables, including fresh figs, and this is why it is recommended to help control blood pressure.
- According to research evaluating its effects on animals, for both normal and hypertensive animals, fig extract reduced blood pressure.
- Improves bone health. Bone-building minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, are abundant in figs.
- Calcium excretion from the urinary tract may be reduced if potassium is a good supply. In addition, osteoporosis may be reduced as a result of this, which helps to preserve calcium in bones.
- Enhances dietary quality and aids in weight loss. In addition to being high in dietary fiber and packed with nutrients, figs may be an excellent addition to your diet if you’re trying to lose weight. Feelings of fullness and reduced appetite and cravings can be achieved by consuming high-fiber foods containing essential nutrients.
Here is an article I wrote on what do donkeys eat
How Often Should I Feed Them Figs?
You can only feed your donkey’s fig as a treat. They shouldn’t take anything that will affect their main diet.
So avoid feeding them too much as this can affect their health. They can gain excess weight or react negatively to it.
Can Mini Donkeys Eat Figs?
Just like every other treat, feeding your mini donkey’s fig is not a bad idea.
However, it is best to feed them in moderate quantities because of the sugar content in it.
Can Donkeys Eat Fig Leaves?
These animals don’t have the same reaction to figs as humans have. So the chances are good that your donkey will be alright if it consumes a fig in its leaves.
Do remove the leaves from figs if you wish to serve them to your donkey, just in case.
In some situations, the sap from a fig tree has been known to inflict burns on a donkey’s lips.
Can Donkeys Eat Fig Newtons?
No, don’t feed your donkey Fig Newtons.
It’s not good for your donkey to have Fig Newtons because they’re made with sugar and wheat flour.
So even though figs are good for your donkey, it’s not good for them to eat these cookies.
Things To Watch Out For Before Feeding Them Figs?
De-stemmed figs can be used as a sweet treat. Because of this, chop the figs into tiny pieces and feed them to the goats by hand, or simply add them to the feed.
For a donkey, fresh figs are preferred to dried figs. Carbohydrate and sugar levels also increase by two times in dried figs.
Soybean oil and sulfur dioxide can be used to preserve dried figs. Donkeys with allergies or COPD should not be exposed to sulfites. Dried organic figs are free of sulfates.
You should give your donkeys raw figs rather than cook as a treat. Your donkey will benefit from figs in their raw state because they contain more good nutrients for him.
There is no harm in feeding your donkey a raw fig, as they may eat them straight from the tree if they happen to be near one.
Keep in mind that any raw fruit you buy from the shop should be completely cleaned and pesticide-free if possible.
However, while cooked figs won’t damage your donkey, the cooking process removes many nutrients from fruits and vegetables, making them less beneficial to your donkey overall.
Vitamin B6, potassium, copper, and more can be found in figs. Therefore, raw figs are preferable to dried ones as a reward for your donkey.
Else, you’re just giving them sugar.
Also check out this article I wrote on can donkeys eat eggs
How Can I Feed Figs To My Donkeys?
You’ll need to prepare any kind of fruit for your donkey before feeding it to it.
Make sure to properly wash the figs with a pesticide-free produce wash before eating them.
Even if you can afford to buy organic fruits for your donkey, it’s always a good idea to wash them before feeding them.
Give your donkey the freshest fruits you can find. Check the fruit or the leaves for mold or bugs.
Don’t be tempted to offer your donkey your old, rotten fruits so that you don’t have to throw them away.
Stick to fresh, clean fruits as much as possible to avoid making your donkey ill.
Figs can also be used as a binding agent if you want to make your donkey’s snacks from scratch.
Figs are a natural sweetener and are quite sticky. Many nutrients are lost when food is cooked.
Thus baked goods should be reserved for rare occasions only. On the other hand, Figs are safe for your donkey in this situation.
Conclusion
Donkeys can eat figs. Figs are one of the many fruits that donkeys enjoy, and they’re not the only ones.
While it’s best to limit your donkey’s fruit consumption to one serving per day, you should know that figs are fine to feed to your donkey if they’re sweet and ripe.
