Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Can alpacas eat… · In moderation

Can Alpacas Eat Apples?

A quick, vet-informed answer on feeding apples to alpacas, with serving sizes, nutrition data and safer alternatives.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes, alpacas can eat apples — in moderation.

Apples are one of the most popular alpaca treats and are safe in small amounts. The risks are choke from large chunks and sugar overload if an alpaca gorges on windfalls.

Verdict
In moderation
Serving size
1/4 to 1/2 medium apple per alpaca, a few times a week
Preparation
Wash, core, and cut into thin slices or small cubes. Never feed whole apples.
Food group
Fruit
Sugar per 100 g
10.0 g

Risks to know

  • Choke (esophageal obstruction) — alpacas gulp treats; cut into thin strips or small pieces
  • High sugar content can upset the C1 (fore-stomach) microbes and contributes to obesity
  • Fermenting windfall apples can cause digestive upset

Benefits

  • Palatable training reward
  • Good water content

How to feed apples safely

  1. Wash, core, and cut into thin slices or small cubes. Never feed whole apples.
  2. Offer by hand or spread out in a shallow pan so greedy eaters don't gulp — 1/4 to 1/2 medium apple per alpaca, a few times a week.
  3. Keep all treats under about 5% of the daily diet; hay or pasture and a camelid mineral come first.
  4. Introduce anything new gradually and watch droppings for the next day.

Nutrition facts (per 100 g)

NutrientAmountWhat it means for alpacas
Water85.8 gHydrating
Energy57 kcalLow calorie
Sugars10.0 gHigh — small portions
Fiber2.4 gLow fiber
Protein0.3 g
Fat0.1 g
Calcium6 mg
Phosphorus10 mg

Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy — “Apples, raw, golden delicious, with skin” (FDC ID 168202).

Sugar compared with other treats

Celery1.3 gCucumber1.7 gPumpkin2.8 gGreen Beans3.3 gCarrots4.7 gStrawberries4.9 gWatermelon6.2 gApples10 gBananas12.2 gGrapes15.5 g

Grams of sugar per 100 g. Lower-sugar treats are kinder to the fore-stomach microbes and waistline.

Other good treats

Dandelion GreensYesCilantroYesRomaine LettuceYesCeleryYesCucumberYesButternut & Winter SquashYes

Frequently asked questions

Can alpacas eat apples?
Yes, alpacas can eat apples — in moderation. Apples are one of the most popular alpaca treats and are safe in small amounts. The risks are choke from large chunks and sugar overload if an alpaca gorges on windfalls.
How much apples can I give my alpaca?
1/4 to 1/2 medium apple per alpaca, a few times a week. Treats should stay under about 5% of the diet.
How should I prepare apples for alpacas?
Wash, core, and cut into thin slices or small cubes. Never feed whole apples.
How much sugar is in apples?
About 10.0 g of sugar per 100 g (USDA FoodData Central).
Can baby alpacas (crias) eat it?
Crias should get milk, then hay and pasture. Hold off on treats until they are weaned and eating forage well, and always use tiny pieces.

See the complete list of foods alpacas can and can't eat, our feeding guide and the toxic plant checker.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.