No — don't feed corn (grain) to alpacas.
Cracked or whole corn is very high in rapidly fermentable starch.
- Verdict
- No
- Serving size
- Avoid as a treat
- Food group
- Grain
- Sugar per 100 g
- 0.6 g
Risks to know
- Starch ferments rapidly in the fore-stomach and can cause acidosis and ulcers
Nutrition facts (per 100 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | What it means for alpacas |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 10.4 g | Dry — offer water |
| Energy | 365 kcal | Calorie-dense — tiny portions |
| Sugars | 0.6 g | Low sugar |
| Fiber | 7.3 g | Good fiber |
| Protein | 9.4 g | |
| Fat | 4.7 g | |
| Calcium | 7 mg | |
| Phosphorus | 210 mg | |
| Ca : P ratio | 0.0 : 1 | Inverted — phosphorus-heavy, limit for males |
| Vitamin C | 0.0 mg | Not required — camelids make their own |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy — “Corn grain, yellow” (FDC ID 170288).
Sugar compared with other treats
Grams of sugar per 100 g. Lower-sugar treats are kinder to the fore-stomach microbes and waistline.
Safer alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Can alpacas eat corn (grain)?
No — don't feed corn (grain) to alpacas. Cracked or whole corn is very high in rapidly fermentable starch.
How much corn (grain) can I give my alpaca?
None — choose a safe alternative such as carrot sticks, cucumber or green beans.
How much sugar is in corn (grain)?
About 0.6 g of sugar per 100 g (USDA FoodData Central).
Can baby alpacas (crias) eat it?
No.
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.