How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Donkey?

Donkeys live for decades and need a pair, a farrier every couple of months and a steady supply of straw. A leading donkey welfare charity publishes a detailed breakdown of what that costs, which makes donkeys one of the few animals on this site with a welfare charity's own running-cost figures.

The headline: at least £4,000 a year for a pair

The Donkey Sanctuary estimates that keeping a pair of donkeys could cost in the region of at least £4,000 a year. That's for healthy donkeys in good condition, with enough summer grazing and barley straw all year. Its vet figures cover only annual checks and vaccinations: treating a health problem can cost from hundreds to thousands of pounds on top.

The yearly costs per donkey

The Sanctuary's approximate figures, per donkey per year:

• Straw for feed and bedding, about 100 bales: £400–600.
• Extra forage if winter grazing is short (a bale a week for 26 weeks): £104–182.
• Farrier (average eight-weekly trim): £160–260.
• Vet call-out and exam: £45–80 per visit (£150–200 out of hours).
• Flu and tetanus vaccination: £45–56 per vaccine.
• Dental check, at least once a year: £70–100.
• Faecal worm egg counts (2–4 a year): £16–40; worming: £21–60.
• Forage balancer (3 bags): £135.
• Fly spray, mask and traps; third-party liability insurance (about £50).

Setting up

Before the donkeys arrive you'll need land (about half an acre each), a shelter, secure fencing and equipment. The Sanctuary lists items such as an electric fence energiser (£90–200), a water trough (£15–200), a wheelbarrow (£50–200), and a head collar and rope (£20 each).

US costs

We haven't found a comparable itemised breakdown for the US. The same items apply (farrier, vet, vaccines, dental checks, straw and hay), so ask local providers for quotes and put the figures into the cost calculator.

Put your own numbers in

The cost of keeping calculator adds feed, a vet allowance and other costs for your donkeys. Its starting feed price is straw, since that's most of what a donkey eats (see what do donkeys eat?).

Sources: The Donkey Sanctuary, Cost of owning a donkey; Donkey Care Handbook (5th edition). Sources checked: October 2026. Prices are approximate and vary by supplier and area.

Common questions

How much does it cost to keep a donkey per year?

The Donkey Sanctuary estimates that keeping a pair of donkeys could cost at least £4,000 a year, for healthy donkeys with summer grazing and straw all year, before any treatment for illness.

What's the biggest cost?

On The Donkey Sanctuary's list, straw for feed and bedding (about 100 bales per donkey a year, £400–600) and farrier trims every eight weeks or so (£160–260) are among the largest routine costs.

Do I need insurance for a donkey?

The Donkey Sanctuary advises third-party liability insurance (about £50 in its estimate) and suggests considering vet insurance, because treatment for health problems can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds.

How often does a donkey need the farrier?

Every 6 to 10 weeks, according to The Donkey Sanctuary. Donkey hooves grow differently from horses' and need trimming by someone who understands donkeys.