Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Safe

Can Alpacas Eat Timothy Grass?

Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense) — a grass. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes — timothy grass is safe for alpacas.

It is acceptable forage or browse in normal amounts.

Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense)
Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense). Photo: Blokenearexeter, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Safe
Scientific name
Phleum pratense
Family
Poaceae
Plant type
Grass
Also known as
timothy

Feeding notes

The classic cool-season hay for camelids: moderate protein (typically 7-11%), good fiber and low sugar when cut at early-to-mid bloom. Ideal base forage for fiber males and non-breeding adults.

How to offer it

  1. Introduce any new forage or browse gradually over a week or two.
  2. Make sure it is fresh — avoid moldy, wilted piles or plants sprayed with herbicide.
  3. Keep a balanced diet: grass or hay first, with a camelid mineral available.

About the plant

Timothy is a species of perennial grass native to most of Europe and northern and western Asia. It is also known as timothy-grass, meadow cat's-tail or common cat's-tail. It is a member of the genus Phleum, which consists of 17 species of annual and perennial grasses.From Wikipedia — “Timothy (grass)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 731,762 recorded observations of Phleum pratense L. worldwide, including 16,240 in the United States. It belongs to the Poaceae family, together with Johnsongrass, Cheatgrass, Corn Plants & Stalks, Dallisgrass (ergot-infected), Foxtail Barley & Foxtail Grasses. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Can alpacas eat timothy grass?
Yes. The classic cool-season hay for camelids: moderate protein (typically 7-11%), good fiber and low sugar when cut at early-to-mid bloom. Ideal base forage for fiber males and non-breeding adults.
How much timothy grass can an alpaca eat?
As part of a varied diet based on grass or grass hay, it can be eaten freely. Introduce new browse gradually.

Keeping pastures safe

  • Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
  • Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
  • Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
  • Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
  • Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.

Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.

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.

Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q256508.