Are there any risks or side effects associated with consuming donkey milk, and how can they be prevented or managed?

Is donkey milk safe to drink?

The risk that applies to any raw milk applies here. The CDC says raw milk can carry germs such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, and that children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems face higher risk of serious illness. Pasteurization removes disease-causing germs by heating the milk.

A 2019 study of donkey milk found no detectable Salmonella, Listeria or Campylobacter in raw samples, but it still recommends heat treatment because pathogens and protozoal DNA have been found in donkey milk elsewhere. Total bacteria counts averaged about 74,333 CFU/mL raw and about 4,332 CFU/mL after pasteurization.

Can donkey milk cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. In the same study, 78 of 81 children with cow’s milk protein allergy had a donkey milk challenge, and one child with IgE-mediated allergy (1.5%) reacted. The study was small and had no control group, so its authors call for larger studies. Never test donkey milk at home on a child with a diagnosed allergy.

Is donkey milk nutritionally complete?

No. Another study found an average fat content of 0.54%, lower than cow, human and mare milk. The authors say this could limit its use as the only food for infants. In the allergy study, fat and vitamin D were added.

What about cost?

The authors name high cost as a limit to using donkey milk instead of cow’s milk.

We found no official source for the vitamin and anti-inflammatory claims often made about donkey milk, so we do not repeat them. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first.