How to Keep an Alpaca as a Pet
Alpacas are domesticated camelids from South America. They resemble sheep, but have longer necks and come in more color combinations. While some farmers keep alpacas for their fleece, alpacas also make great pets. Pet quality alpacas are generally distinguished from those used for their fiber or fleece, which are still available for purchase but have a higher price tag.
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Instructions
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Recognize that alpacas are herd animals. Alpacas should always be kept in groups of two or more for their wellbeing.
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Provide shelter for your pet alpaca. A three sided shelter that faces east or southeast will be adequate as alpacas have survived and adapted to harsh Andean winters. Your shelter should have adequate ventilation for summers and be large enough to enclose the number of alpacas that you have.
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Feed your alpaca non-fertilized grass. You can also supplement with low protein grass hay. Some owners also include some commercial grain prepared especially for alpacas. You may want to have several pasture areas on which your alpacas can feed. This way you can rotate them from pasture to pasture, giving the grass a respite and time to grow again.
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Give your alpaca a fresh supply of water daily. Although they are a member of the camel family and can go without for a period of time, there should always have a fresh supply of water.
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Fence in the appropriate amount of land for the number of alpacas that you have. The general rule is that five to ten alpacas can be kept on one acre of land. The fence should be designed to keep predators out rather than the alpacas in, as they do not challenge fences like other livestock.
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Choose a vet that is knowledgeable about alpacas. As typically healthy animals, your alpaca may only need annual inoculations and monthly worming. An alpaca's toenails should be trimmed every six months or so.
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