What Do Alpacas Eat? (21 Foods and Treats)

by Chukay Alex
Updated on

If you keep alpacas as pets or on your farm, then you must be really interested in learning what to feed them.

This is because as farmers rearing farm animals, what you feed your animals will go a long way in determine their health and how big they grow.

Alpacas are not different as they eat a lot of things for food and as treats.

In this article I will be showing you a huge and comprehensive list of everything you can use to feed alpacas.

Tips for Feeding Alpacas

Before we look at the huge and comprehensive foods and treats that alpacas can eat, here are somethings to be aware of.

  • Only feed them when they shows signs of being hungry. Do not feed them if they appear uninterested or if they walk away.
  • Make sure you do not overfeed them as this might lead to health problems
  • When giving them treats make sure they are cut into small sizes and bits to avoid choking.
  • Ensure that their feeding area is kept clean and free from litter to avoid rodents and diseases.

1. Mushrooms

To the alpaca, the thought of mushrooms is most probably not something they would eat, but the root network or mycelium underneath the ground has delivered strong disease-fighting properties to alpacas for centuries.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with mushrooms

2. Barley

Alpacas can safely eat barley. Barley is a nutritious cereal grain. It is the world’s fourth-biggest grain crop.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with barley

3. Blackberries

Yes, they certainly can. Because of their mineral content, blackberries are good healthy supplements for alpaca feed; Alpacas require minerals.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with blackberries

4. Celery

Yes, alpacas can eat celery. Celery is a biennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceous family.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with celery

5. Bread

Yes, alpacas can eat bread. Bread is a safe and healthy meal for alpacas. They eat bread without having any major issues.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with bread

6. Avocado

No, they cannot. Avocados have no health benefits for Alpacas.

Click to learn more about whether you should feed alpacas with avocados

7. Pumpkin

Yes, pumpkins are very safe for alpacas to eat and can be served to them as a treat.

Pumpkin is a large, healthy orange-colored vegetable with edible leaves and seeds that is packed in nutrients.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with pumpkin

8. Nectarines

Yes, Alpacas can eat nectarines. As long as the nectarines are fresh and aren’t wilted, they are safe. 

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with nectarines

9. Nuts

Yes, alpacas can be fed nuts. Nuts are high in demand since they are nutrient-dense. This makes them an excellent plus to alpacas’ diet.

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10. Oats

Yes, Alpacas can eat oats. Interestingly, they are a great option to add to your alpacas’ diet. Oats are super enjoyable and nutritious. 

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with oats

11. Oranges

Yes, Alpacas can eat oranges. Oranges are fine for alpacas to eat. Oranges are full of vitamins that are very beneficial to alpacas.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with oranges

12. Spinach

It is a healthy way to treat them and spinach has quite a lot of nutritional benefits to offer your alpacas including essential vitamins such as folic acid, vitamins A and C, healthy carbs and fiber. 

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with spinach

13. Watermelons

Alpacas enjoy eating watermelons as treats and it is one of their favorite snacks.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with watermelons

14. Sheep Feed

Sheep are supplementary foods prepared for sheep to balance their diet especially when foraging abilities are restricted.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with sheep feed

15. Raisins

Alpacas can eat raisins and it is one of the best treats you can give to them.

Raisins are dried grapes and they are packed with nutrients such as iron and fiber which are beneficial to the alpaca.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with raisins

16. Peaches

Alpacas benefit from eating peaches, which are rich in nutrients. For a variety of reasons, the pit of a peach can be exceedingly deadly for an alpaca to ingest.

If you wish to feed your alpaca peaches, you should always take extra care.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with peaches

17. Pear

Alpacas can eat pears! Alpacas love pears because they are both tasty and nutritious. Many people around the world enjoy eating pears as a snack.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with pear

18. Pineapples

Alpacas can eat pineapples. In addition to being delicious, pineapples are a great source of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants are abundant in this summer fruit.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with pineapples

19. Potatoes

Alpacas cannot eat potatoes because they are part of the nightshade family.

Because they are nightshade family members, alpacas cannot consume potatoes

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with potatoes

20. Radishes

Yes, alpacas can eat radishes. This is because radishes are an excellent source of nutrients for alpacas, and they can eat them.

However, remember that alpacas are unique; some prefer radishes, while others don’t.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with radishes

21. Mango

There is currently no evidence that the mango tree (Mangifera indica) is harmful to alpacas, according to the information accessible to us

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with mango

22. Lettuce

Lettuce can be eaten by alpacas. It could be given to them as a reward or a special snack on a particular day.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with lettuce

23. Kale

On the other hand, Alpacas should avoid eating kale because it may pose a risk to their health.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with kale

24. Leeks

Originally from the eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East, leeks are an onion family member.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with leeks

25. Horse Feed

Alpacas should not be fed horse feed as it can cause loss of appetite and diarrhea in them.

The best feed for alpacas is hay or specially prepared commercial feeds.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with horse feed

26. Clover

Alpacas can eat clover as it is one of the major pasture plants which they love to eat.

Clover is a high protein hay which has many important nutritional benefits for alpaca.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with clover

27. Fescues

Alpacas are known for eating mostly anything green and they can eat fescue grass however it is best not to feed it to them as it contains endophytes which are harmful to them.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with fescue

28. Figs

Figs are sweet honey tasting fruits popular in the Middle East and Asia. Alpacas can eat figs and you can feed them figs from time to time as a treat.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with figs

29. Flax

Flax and its’ by-product flax seed have been reputed to be quite valuable nutritionally and some of the health benefits the alpacas can derive

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with flax

30. Cucumber

Cucumbers are a healthy and nutritious green vegetable which can help to keep alpacas hydrated when it is hot.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with cucumber

31. Eggs

As an alpaca owner you might want to incorporate eggs into your pets diet and might be thinking of safe ways to do that.

Eggs are nutritious and are not known to have an adverse effect on animals so alpacas eat them. 

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with eggs

32. Kiwi

The answer to this question is yes, alpacas can consume kiwi fruit. Many experts have stated that alpacas benefit greatly from the consumption of kiwi.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with kiwi

33. Asparagus

Yes, alpacas can consume asparagus. It is completely harmless for them. However, its safety is dependent on the amount consumed by alpacas.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with asparagus

34. Grapes

Yes, alpacas can eat grapes. Grapes are delicious treats that can be fed to alpacas. They come in white, red, black, blue, green, purple, and golden. 

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with grapes

35. Acorn

Yes, alpacas can eat acorns. Alpacas are herbivores. That is they eat plants a lot. Acorns are plants; therefore, they can be consumed by alpacas.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with acorn

36. Goat Feed

According to research, feeding alpaca goat feed is not safe. Goat feed is known to contain a high amount of copper which is harmful to alpacas.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with goat feed

37. Corn

Alpacas can eat corn. However, alpacas should not be fed corn in large quantities because it might cause sugar levels to increase and potentially diabetes in the animals.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with corn

38. Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a favorite food of alpacas, who regard it as the best thing imaginable.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with alfalfa

39. Pumpkins

Alpacas can eat pumpkins as part of their meals and also as their treats. Pumpkin is a healthy snack for most farm animals.

It is a nutrition filled squash that alpacas enjoy, and it is very easy for them to chew and digest.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with pumpkins

40. Tomatoes

Tomato has a lot of benefits and yes, your alpacas can eat them. They are sweet and flavored, which your alpacas will enjoy.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with tomatoes

41. Broccoli

Broccoli supplies alpacas with a lot of minerals and vitamins to ensure their healthy growth and we’ll be looking at a few of them.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with broccoli

42. Bananas

Alpacas can eat banana as they are not toxic or harmful to them in anyway.

Bananas contain more than 70% of water which makes it very beneficial to them.

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with bananas

43. Parsnips

They can eat parsnips as they are root vegetables that are packed with vitamins and minerals.

They are edible and sweet and can be eaten safely

Click to learn more about feeding alpacas with parsnips

44. Apples

Alpacas like apples and can eat them. In fact, you would be doing your alpacas a lot of good by feeding them healthy apples.

The several varieties are healthy for them and do not harm them in any way

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with apples

45. Carrots

 Alpacas love them and enjoy eating them and it doesn’t harm them in any way.

Carrots are crunchy fruits that are high in fiber, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients.

Click here to learn more about feeding alpacas with carrots

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About the author

Chukay Alex

Chukay is a season writer and farmer who enjoys farming and growing plants in his backyard farm. When he is not farming you can find him at the nearest lawn tennis court, hitting a mean backhand down the line.

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