Alpacas and Llamas as Pets: Herd Needs, Shearing and Handling

Alpacas and llamas are herd animals: keep a small group of the same species, never one alone (three or more is often recommended). Both need yearly shearing, toenail and teeth checks, good grazing and hay, a dry shelter and a vet who knows camelids. Avoid bottle-raised males, which can become dangerous to people as adults.

A herd of three, keeping an eye on everything.

Alpacas and llamas compared.

Alpacas and llamas at a glance
Alpaca	Smaller; bred for fine fleece
Llama	Larger; bred for packing and sometimes used as a guard
Company	A small same-sex group of the same species
Shearing	Once a year
Lifespan	Often 15 years or more
Paperwork	Varies; in England a CPH is voluntary but recommended

Herd Animals First

Alpacas and llamas are camelids with a strong herd instinct. A single animal is stressed and anxious however much attention it gets from people. Buy a small, compatible group of the same species and sex; breeders often recommend at least three. Geldings (castrated males) or females make the best companions for most homes.

Llamas are much bigger and were bred as pack animals; some are used to guard sheep. Alpacas are smaller and bred for their fine fleece. Neither is a cuddly pet: most prefer not to be touched much, though they're curious and gentle when well handled.

Spitting and the Bottle-Raised Male Problem

Spitting is normal camelid communication, usually aimed at each other over food or space. People sometimes get caught in the crossfire.

A more serious issue: males hand-reared without enough contact with their own kind may grow up treating people as rivals, and can become aggressive and dangerous as adults. This is often called "berserk male syndrome". Buy from breeders who raise youngsters with their mothers and herd, and avoid bottle-raised males as pets.

Shearing, Toenails and Teeth

Shearing: once a year, before summer, by a shearer experienced with camelids. It's a welfare need whether or not you use the fleece.
Toenails: check regularly and trim when needed.
Teeth: camelids have front teeth only on the bottom jaw, and these can overgrow. Males also grow sharp fighting teeth that may need trimming. Teeth are a vet's job.

The Law: Rules Differ by Country

Pigs, sheep, goats and cattle kept as pets usually count as farm animals in law. That means registration, identification and movement records, and food-safety rules for any medicines, even for one pet animal that will never be eaten.

United Kingdom: In England you need a County Parish Holding (CPH) number for the land before the animals arrive, then a herd or flock mark from APHA, approved ear tags (or other ID), movement reporting and a holding register. Keepers of food-producing animals must also keep medicine records, for at least five years. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (DAERA) run their own systems. Start at registering land for livestock on gov.uk.
United States: City or county zoning decides whether you can keep livestock at home. Your state department of agriculture or state veterinarian sets health and movement rules, and many sheep and goats need official scrapie identification when they leave your property or change owner.
Elsewhere: Canada (CFIA and your province), Australia (your state or territory agriculture department), Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) and New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries) all have livestock ID and movement rules.

Kitchen scraps and fallen stock: don't feed kitchen scraps to farm animals; in the UK and the EU it is illegal, pets included. In Great Britain, farm species generally can't be buried at home when they die, even pets; check with APHA or your local council.

Rules change, so check with your national authority before you buy.

Gear for a Small Herd

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Good fencing comes first: stock netting without barbed wire, which can catch fleece. A covered hay rack keeps hay dry, and a properly fitted halter makes handling and vet visits calmer. Toenail shears handle routine trims, and a weigh tape helps track condition under all that fleece.

Feeding, Shelter and a Camelid Vet

Camelids live mainly on grass and hay, with a feed or mineral made for camelids only if your vet advises it; ask your vet about trace minerals in your area. They use a communal dung pile, which makes cleaning easier. A field shelter keeps off rain and summer sun, and clean water must always be available.

Find a vet who treats camelids before you buy; they are not every vet's specialty. Plan vaccinations, worming and body-condition checks with them; fleece hides weight loss, so feel along the spine regularly.

Worming, parasite treatments and other medicines: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Farm animals are a food-producing species in law in many countries, even as pets, so treatments follow farm rules and need recording.

In England and Wales, alpacas and llamas now count as livestock under the law on dogs worrying livestock (see dogs and livestock).

Frequently Asked Questions

What people ask before buying camelids.

Can I keep just one alpaca or llama?

No. They are herd animals and are stressed alone. Keep a small group of the same species; three or more is often recommended.

Do alpacas and llamas spit at people?

Usually they spit at each other over food or space, but people can get caught in it. Well-raised camelids rarely target people.

Why avoid bottle-raised males?

Males hand-reared without enough contact with their own kind may treat people as rivals as adults and become aggressive. Buy youngsters raised with their mothers and herd.

How often do they need shearing?

Once a year, usually before summer, by an experienced camelid shearer.

Do alpacas need registration?

It depends on the country. In England a CPH number is voluntary for camelids but recommended, and rules change. In the US, check zoning and your state department of agriculture.

Can a llama guard sheep?

Some llamas are used as guards and can deter foxes or dogs, but not every llama will guard, and it isn't a substitute for good fencing.