Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Caution

Can Alpacas Eat Yarrow?

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — a wild plant. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation.

Occasional nibbles are usually tolerated, but problems occur with large amounts, certain plant stages or vulnerable animals.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Photo: O. Pichard, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Caution
Scientific name
Achillea millefolium
Family
Asteraceae
Plant type
Wild plant
Also known as
common yarrow, Milfoil
Toxic parts
Large amounts
Toxic compound
Sesquiterpene lactones, essential oils

Why it matters

A common minor component of meadows and hay; safe in normal amounts.

Signs of yarrow poisoning in alpacas

  • Mild digestive upset

If your alpaca ate a lot of yarrow

  1. Remove access and estimate how much was eaten.
  2. Watch for the signs listed above over the next 24–72 hours.
  3. Call your vet if any signs appear or if a pregnant, young or sick animal ate a large amount.
  4. Reduce the plant in your pasture and keep good forage available so alpacas aren't driven to eat it.

About the plant

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor.From Wikipedia — “Achillea millefolium”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 1,832,811 recorded observations of Achillea millefolium L. worldwide, including 118,410 in the United States. It belongs to the Asteraceae family, together with Cocklebur, Common Groundsel, Rayless Goldenrod, Tansy Ragwort, White Snakeroot. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is yarrow poisonous to alpacas?
It can be. Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation. A common minor component of meadows and hay; safe in normal amounts.
What part of yarrow is toxic to alpacas?
Large amounts.
What are the symptoms of yarrow poisoning?
Mild digestive upset.
Is dried yarrow safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.

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 Q25408.