Alpacas should eat mostly grass pasture and good-quality grass hay, along with a mineral supplement made for camelids. Small amounts of pellets and vegetable treats are fine, but the list of things they should not eat is just as important. Here is what is safe, what is not, and how to feed an alpaca without upsetting its stomach.
What alpacas should eat every day
- Pasture and grass hay. Grass should make up the bulk of the diet. Timothy, orchard grass and fescue hay are common choices, and a dry, clean, mold-free hay is essential.
- Camelid mineral supplement. Alpacas need minerals and vitamins in amounts matched to their needs. Use a mineral made for alpacas and llamas, not a sheep, goat or horse mineral, because the copper and selenium levels can be wrong for camelids.
- A little pellet or grain mix. Alpacas on good pasture may need very little. Pregnant or nursing females, growing crias and thin animals often need more. Choose a pelleted feed made for alpacas.
- Fresh water. Keep clean water available at all times, and check it often in summer and winter.
Safe treats for alpacas
Treats should be a tiny part of the diet. Cut hard foods into small pieces or thin strips so they cannot get stuck in the throat.
- Carrots (sliced lengthwise, not in round chunks)
- Apple slices (no core)
- Leafy greens, lettuce and celery in small amounts
- Bananas, pumpkin and sweet potato in small amounts
What alpacas should not eat
- Feeds with ionophores such as monensin (found in some cattle, horse and poultry feeds). They are poisonous to camelids.
- Moldy or dusty hay, spoiled grain and lawn clippings. These can cause digestive upset or poisoning.
- Large amounts of grain, bread or sugary treats. Too much starch can cause digestive trouble.
- Whole, large chunks of hard food. Apples, carrots and similar foods can cause choking.
- Onions and other alliums, which are not good for alpacas.
- Toxic plants. Common examples include oleander, rhododendron and azalea, yew, laurel, foxglove, bracken fern, ragwort, buttercups, black walnut leaves and wilted cherry or plum leaves. Check your fence line and pasture for these.
How to feed alpacas safely
- Change feeds slowly over about a week or more.
- Feed from raised or low feeders that keep food out of mud and droppings.
- Feed each animal enough that shy or lower-ranking alpacas are not pushed away.
- Weigh or body-score your herd regularly, because thick fleece can hide weight loss or gain.
- Ask your vet about vitamin D, since alpacas in northern or cloudy areas may need support in winter. Do not guess at doses.
Frequently asked questions
Can alpacas eat grass clippings?
No. Clippings ferment quickly and can cause bloating and other digestive problems.
Are carrots and apples safe for alpacas?
Yes, in small amounts and cut into pieces they can chew safely.
Can alpacas eat horse or goat feed?
Only if it is free of ionophores and safe for camelids. It is simplest to use feed labeled for alpacas and llamas.
Bottom Line
Feed alpacas grass and clean hay first, add a camelid mineral, use pellets sparingly and keep treats small. Keep toxic plants and ionophore feeds away from them. If an alpaca stops eating, seems bloated or is acting off, call your vet right away.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
Related reading: What Can Alpacas Not Eat?, What Is the Best Grass for Alpacas?, Alpaca Pellets and What Vegetables Can Alpacas Eat?
