Donkey diet is mostly limited as they feed on grass and hay. They do not eat meat or fish and they are herbivores who have learnt to extract the most nutrients from their diet.
Donkeys’ diet is supported with treats and snacks by their owners.
Okra is among the oldest grown plants in the world, originally coming from Ethiopia.
It is a large green vegetable which has a pod that is generally grown in warm climates around the world. Okra is not on donkeys’ ‘no-eat diet’ and it is safe to feed to them if they are able to acquire a taste for it.
This article will discuss the health benefits of okra to donkeys, how often you should feef them okra, whether mini donkeys can eat okra, fresh okra and okra pods.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Okra To Donkeys?
Okra, also known as long finger or gumbo ladies, is a warm season vegetable eaten by people all over the world.
Okra is known for having important nutrients and we will be discussing a few of them in this post.
- Fiber
Dietary fiber which is important for the promotion of gut health is found in large amounts in okra.
Foods high in fiber reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.
Fiber can also help to slow the progression of heart disease in people who already have it.
- Antioxidants
Okra is also high in antioxidants. Okra, including its pods and seeds, contains a variety of antioxidant compounds, including phenolic compounds and flavonoid derivatives such as catechins and quercetin.
These are also believed to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
- Vitamins
Okra is high in Vitamin K content. Vitamin K is important and known for its expertise in bone formation and blood clotting.
Consuming foods high in vitamin K may help strengthen bones and prevent fractures.
- Folate
Okra is a very rich source of folate. Folate has been discovered to reduce the incidence of cancers across species.
Though folate is a less heard about nutrient, it is very important and quite beneficial to donkey health.
- Protein
Proteins as we all know are the basic building blocks in the body and perform quite a number of important functions.
The seeds of okra provide high quality protein to donkeys which can help to meet their protein requirement needs.
Here is a mega list of foods and treats that donkeys can eat
How Often Should I Feed Them Okra?
Okra is a vegetable that has a lot of properties including oxalic acid and mucilage.
This mucilage is what causes viscosity which produces the sliminess associated with cooked okra.
It is possible that your donkey might not like the taste of okra when you introduce it to him.
When you first feed it to them, ensure you wait about 24 hours to check that there is no negative health reaction on them before continuing it.
If you notice any ill effects, desist from feeding them immediately.
Okra should be fed to donkeys in moderation as there isn’t enough knowledge on the effects of this vegetable on equine nutrition.
Feeding once a week or once a month is quite okay to feed your donkeys okra.
Can Mini Donkeys Eat Okra?
You can feed okra to your miniature donkey if they accept it and it doesn’t have any ill effect on them.
Miniature donkey diet is the same as that of a standard donkey. However, they might have different dietary needs as mini donkeys do not engage in so much labor.
You might want to check in with your equine or vet doctor before feeding okra to your mini donkey to ensure it is safe for him to eat.
Can Donkeys Eat Fresh Okra?
Donkeys can eat fresh okra off the okra plant.
Okra seeds have been discovered to be quite healthy and can provide your donkey with high quality protein thereby complementing your donkeys’ diet.
Though for horses, it has been put across that the seeds might be hard to digest, there is no research to show it is the same for donkeys. ‘
Before feeding donkeys the okra, was the okra and cut it into small pieces to avoid choking.
Can Donkeys Eat Okra Pods?
Okra pods are the covering of the vegetable itself which has the seeds in them. It is what gave the vegetable the name of ladies’ fingers because of its shape.
If your okra is not home grown then make sure you wash them thoroughly before feeding them to your donkeys.
This is to remove chemicals that might have been used to grow the plant.
These chemicals can be harmful to the donkey’s health and washing the pods reduces the chances of the donkeys being affected.
Also check out this article I wrote on can donkeys eat lettuce
Things To Watch Out For Before Feeding Them Okra?
It is important that your donkey might not like the taste of okra and if this is the case then you should find other healthy treats to feed to them.
If they do like it, then ensure you watch out that the okra has no negative effects on them or stop the feeding.
Always wash the okra pods thoroughly to avoid your donkeys being harmed by chemicals which could have been used to grow the plant.
Feed them okra sparingly as it is not exactly donkey food. There are other healthy fruits and vegetables which you can use to treat your donkeys from time to time.
You should also check in with the vet doctor before feeding your donkey okra so they can determine if it is safe for them to eat depending on the donkeys’ diet needs.
How Can I Feed Okra To My Donkeys?
Before feeding okra to your donkeys, wash with water. Slice into small pieces before feeding it to them.
You can decide to remove the seeds if they regularly affect your donkeys and leave it in if it doesn’t as they are also quite beneficial to them.
Conclusion
It might sound weird to want to feed donkeys okra but I have been asked this question a couple of times by concerned owners.
Okra is a healthy vegetable which is used in many countries for various delicacies.
It is also eaten by quite a number of animals.
Donkeys can eat okra however it would be best if you check with your vet doctor before feeding it to them.
