Will My Pet Sitter Watch My Donkey?
Will My Pet Sitter Watch My Donkey?
Will my pet sitter watch my donkey? It might seem like a silly question but we do have a regular donkey client! Meet, Lorenzo!
While Lorenzo isn’t our typical client, he is always a joy to take care of! So if you’re wondering “Will my pet sitter watch my donkey?” the answer is absolutely yes. This World Donkey Day (May 8th) we’re celebrating Lorenzo and all donkey’s with some fun donkey facts and to bring awareness of how these tenacious creatures help us in so many ways.
Donkey Facts
Donkeys are smart, I mean really smart.
They are independent thinkers when it comes to making decisions about their safety and needs. Many think they are stubborn, when in fact they have determined that something up ahead isn’t right so they just stop and won’t budge.
It is estimated that there are 40 million donkeys world wide.
A bit less than the 58 million horses but that is still a huge number. Unfortunately the donkey doesn’t get the respect it deserves so we are going to look at these fascinating little guys and see what makes them tick.
The donkey has been used as a “beast of burden” for around 5,000 years!
They vary in size from 180 pounds up to a little over 1,000 pounds. Pound for pound they are stronger than a horse. The average donkey is 40 inches at the shoulder and they can actually run pretty fast. About 24 miles per hour!
Donkey ears are huge.
Because of their large size they are able to release the inner heat of their bodies in order to regulate a healthy body temperature. A donkey can hear up to 60 miles away! Incredible isn’t it? Those huge ears listen for predators in order to protect themselves as well as sheep or goats that they are roaming with.
Donkeys like horses prefer grass, but when that is scarce they will eat desert plants and bushes.
They use around 95% of everything they eat so their poop doesn’t make very good fertilizer.
The sound they make is called a bray.
They make this loud sound when they seek companionship, or because they are excited or they really want to eat. Take a listen!
Donkey is the general name for these cute animals.
Jack is the name for a male and Jenny or Jennet is what the female is called. Their babies are called foals much like a horse’s are.
Donkeys are fierce and can kill a coyote when threatened.
Male donkeys use both front legs when defending themselves or others while the females usually use both back feet.
Donkeys have two sets of teeth.
One set that comes in when they are very young, much like a child, and then those are replaced by the larger, more permanent teeth. Keeping up with good dental checkups are imperative to the overall health and vitality of the donkey.
Jenny’s can come into season every 18-24 days.
With these fluctuations in hormones can become a bit more fussy or standoffish and unpredictable. Many owners keep a calendar of their cycle in order to offer the Jenny a quieter paddock that provides less interactions with other animals or people. They can be pregnant from 11-14 ½ months.
Donkeys differ from horses in several ways.
One is that they don’t startle easily. They have a keen sense of curiosity and of course they have independent thought processes. They have a flatter back than a horse and smaller hooves and let’s not forget those big beautiful ears!
Training a donkey is the same as most animals.
They need to know they can trust you. Will you keep them safe from danger? Because of their intelligence they remember your kindness or lack thereof. Patience is key along with showing them calmly what you want them to do.
Donkey fur is not waterproof so they really do not like the rain.
Providing a comfortable shelter where they can stay dry and warm is important to their health.
A donkey has a much lower water requirement than its counterpart the horse.
They are more like a camel in their need for water, this is why you see so many of them in dry arid places. If the water is too dirty a donkey won’t drink it!
They are very social creatures and bond deeply with each other as well as other species that they live with.
They can remember places and people from 25 years before! Here is Lorenzo with his Wet Noses sitter. Just like a dog putting its head on your shoulder.
Not-So-Fun Facts
Sadly the abuse of animals is a part of our society. Thankfully there are plenty of determined individuals and sanctuaries that rescue these burros from a life of deprivation and neglect.
Donkeys can live from a short 12 years under harsh working conditions all the way to 40 years in captivity with good care. While they are an easy pet to keep, many people don’t consider the time element involved when bringing one of them home as a pet.
Adequate roaming and foraging will ensure that your donkey stays happy and healthy. Keeping a good dental schedule will maintain his teeth for optimum nutrition is ideal. Don’t forget they will need a farrier to trim their hooves on a regular basis.
Wet Noses Pet Sitting has trained personnel to care for your donkey when you have to be away from home.
Conclusion
In closing these little bundles of big ears and even bigger minds and voices are a delightful addition to any family wanting a smart and sweet companion! Always check your local sanctuaries and rescues when you are ready to bring them home. And think in pairs so that they have their buddy to keep them company when you are away.
