17/07/2025
SAFE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
Overweight donkeys must be put on a diet with extreme care due to the risk of hyperlipemia, a serious and potentially fatal condition where rapid weight loss or reduced calorie intake leads to fat being released into the bloodstream too quickly. This can overwhelm the liver and cause organ failure. The prognosis is usually poor. Therefore, a long, slow weight loss program is essential.
HERE'S HOW: Weigh the flake (some people call them leaves) portions you feed each donkey in a meal; you can use a bathroom scale if that's all that's available to you. Hop on and see how much you weigh. Now grab the hay and reweigh yourself holding the hay. The difference is the weight of the hay you're feeding per meal.
Now take the weight of that hay and subtract 20% from that weight. Here's an example of what I mean...say your flake weighs 6lbs subtract 20% (6lbs×0.2%=1.2lbs); start feeding your donkey only 5lbs instead 6lbs.
After one month, reduce the weight of your donkey's feed another 10%. Here's an example of what I mean...say you've been feeding your donkey 5lbs, reduce that amount by 10%
(e.g. 5lbsx0.1%=.50lbs); start feeding your donkey 4.5lbs instead.
IMPORTANT: They should not lose more than 11lbs in a month.
Continue to monitor every month from then on. If they are continuing to lose weight, continue feeding that amount, if they aren't losing weight, drop the portion by another 10% each month until they've reached the desired body condition.
Once they've reached a desired weight maintain that portion amount by keeping a close eye on their body condition. If they look like they are gaining weight, decrease the portion size your giving them by a little bit; if they look like they are losing weight, increase their portion size a little.
Other weight loss tips:
* Weight loss will not happen with portion control alone. They need exercise. Lots of exercise. As much as you can provide for them. This can be accomplished by spreading their food out all over their dry lot. This forces them to walk.
* Take them for walks for no less than 15-20 minutes persession. Walk them as often as you can. Every day is ideal, but may not be practical for you, so shoot for every other day or at least 2-3 times a week. Once a week is better than none, but the more walking they do the healthier they'll be.
* Provide them with 24/7 access to straw (barley straw is best but is hard to get; Wheat straw is the next best choice). Donkeys have a natural instinct to constantly look for food; straw satisfies those foraging Instincts. Donkeys have a natural tendency to trickle feed, and straw allows them to graze throughout the day, satisfying their need to chew and forage.
The straw naturally mimicks what they would eat in arid environments which satisfies their natural foraging behavior and helps keep them feeling full and satisfied.
And, because of their unique digestive systems and dietary needs, straw is a good source of fiber, which is vital for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing issues like obesity and metabolic disorders. The fiber in straw helps keep the donkey's digestive system moving, prevents issues like colic, and supports the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut.
It helps keep the donkey's digestive system moving, prevents issues like colic, and supports the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut.
Note: keep in mind donkeys may develop a "hay belly" appearance after eating straw due to their efficient digestive systems and tendency to retain fiber for longer periods. This is not necessarily a sign of obesity or poor health, but rather a result of how their bodies process fibrous feed.
Paulette Quiroga-Jacklin
Founder/Director
Healing Hearts Donkey Shelter And Refuge
Address: 121 Keystone Rd
Riverside, Washington
Mobile Phone: (509) 322-4995
FB: Healing Hearts Donkey Shelter And Refuge
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hhdonkey.org
WA State DOR recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit EIN # 83-3176076
WA State Licensed: UBI # 604384310
