Alpacas evolved on sparse, fibrous mountain grasses. They are efficient, easy keepers — and far more often harmed by too much rich food than by too little. Get forage, water and minerals right and you’ve solved most nutrition problems.
How alpacas digest food
Alpacas have a three-compartment stomach (C1, C2, C3). The large first compartment (C1) ferments fiber with microbes, much like a cow’s rumen; the third compartment (C3) is the acid “true stomach”. Alpacas regurgitate and re-chew cud for several hours a day.
Key consequences:
- Microbes need consistent, fibrous diets. Sudden changes upset them.
- Starch and sugar ferment fast, causing acidosis and C3 ulcers.
- Camelids extract more from poor forage than sheep, so they easily get fat on rich feed.
How much do alpacas eat?
Alpacas eat about 1.5–2.5% of their body weight in dry matter per day, depending on life stage.
| Life stage | Dry matter (% of body weight) | Crude protein target |
|---|---|---|
| Adult maintenance / fiber animals | 1.8% | 8–10% |
| Early-mid pregnancy | 1.8% | 10–12% |
| Last 3 months of pregnancy | 2.0% | 12–14% |
| Lactation | 2.3% | 12–14% |
| Weanlings & yearlings | 2.5% | 14–16% |
| Working herdsire | 2.0% | 10–12% |
For a 150 lb (68 kg) adult that’s about 2.7 lb of dry matter, or roughly 3 lb of hay per day plus waste. Get exact numbers with the feeding calculator or the feeding chart by weight.
The building blocks of the diet
- Forage (pasture or hay) — 90%+ of the diet. Good grass hay with 8–12% crude protein suits most adults. Add some alfalfa (10–30% of forage) for late pregnancy, lactation and growing crias. Compare hays in the hay & feed database and read choosing hay.
- Water — always available, clean, unfrozen. Adults drink roughly 1–2 gallons (4–8 L) a day, double in heat or lactation.
- Minerals — a camelid-specific loose mineral free choice, covering selenium, zinc, copper, vitamin E and vitamin D. See minerals & supplements.
- Camelid pellet (optional) — 0.5–1 lb a day helps balance minerals and adds protein for breeding stock.
- Treats (minimal) — under 5% of intake. See Can alpacas eat…?.
Feeding by life stage
- Fiber males & pets: grass hay or pasture plus minerals. Usually no grain at all. Watch for obesity.
- Pregnant females: good grass hay; in the last trimester add alfalfa or a camelid pellet to raise protein and energy. Don’t let them get fat — it raises birthing problems.
- Lactating females: highest needs; offer quality hay free choice plus alfalfa/pellets.
- Crias & weanlings: nursing until about 6 months; offer creep feed (camelid pellet) and soft leafy hay from a few weeks old.
- Seniors: may need soaked pellets, beet pulp and leafy hay as teeth wear. See senior care.
Common feeding mistakes
Avoid these: feeding grain or sweet feed; feeding cattle or goat feeds with ionophores (monensin can be fatal to camelids); lawn clippings; bread; using salt or mineral blocks instead of loose minerals; straight alfalfa for idle males; sudden diet changes; letting water freeze.
- Obesity is common and hides under fleece — body-condition-score monthly.
- Choke happens when alpacas gulp pellets or chunks of apple or carrot. Spread pellets out and cut treats lengthwise.
- Urinary stones in males are linked to high-phosphorus feeds (grain, bran) and low water intake.
Plants and pasture safety
Alpacas are selective, but hungry animals eat toxic plants. Check your pastures with the toxic plant checker.
Frequently asked questions
What do alpacas eat? Mostly grass and grass hay, plus a camelid mineral and clean water.
Do alpacas need grain? No. Healthy adults do well on forage and minerals; grain causes more problems than it solves.
How much hay does an alpaca eat a year? About 1,000–1,200 lb (450–550 kg) if fed hay year-round.
Keep reading
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.