Alpaca - Frequently Asked Questions
Mazuri Alpaca FAQ’s downloadable PDF
WHY DID MAZURI CHANGE ITS ALPACA FEED?
The U.S. alpaca industry is advancing — moving toward larger animals with greater fiber production — so Mazuri is helping meet those demands with updated formulas. Mazuri feeds are now better formulated to meet the evolving needs of alpacas raised for show, fiber production or companionship. Mazuri worked with U.S. alpaca farms to research animal needs and updated the diets accordingly.
WHAT’S NEW ABOUT MAZURI ALPACA FEED?
Mazuri made formula adjustments to improve specific nutrient levels in its alpaca feeds. For instance, many diets have increased selenium, vitamins D and E, probiotics and beet pulp. Some diets now have added flaxseed, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids, to help with immune health and give luster to fleece. New product names make it easier to identify what to feed your animals. The bag designs are new, and there are improved feeding directions and product recommendations on the packaging.
IS MY OLD MAZURI ALPACA FEED STILL AVAILABLE?
No. The old formulas are being discontinued and will not be available much longer. You should begin transitioning your alpacas to the new formulas, many of which have new names:
| Old Product | New Product |
| Mazuri® Alpaca and Llama Maintenance Diet | Name did not change, but the diet has been reformulated |
| Mazuri® Alpaca Chews and Crumbles | Mazuri® Alpaca Care |
| Mazuri® UltimatE® or Mazuri® Growth & Repro | Mazuri® Alpaca Performance OR Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life* |
*Depending on energy needs; refer to the product recommendation chart on the next page
HOW DO I TRANSITION MY ALPACAS TO A NEW FEED?
For animals like alpacas that depend on gut microbes for digestion, it’s important to introduce new feed slowly, to avoid negative health effects like diarrhea, regurgitation, or acid build-up in the digestive tract. Slowly transitioning to the new Mazuri diet over the course of at least one week will allow the animal’s system to adjust to any differences between old feed and new.
Start with small amounts of the new diet and thoroughly mix it with the old feed, changing the ratio each day by a small amount to add more new Mazuri feed and use less old feed. If you start to see any loose stools, stick to the same ratio for a few days until you see the stools resolve, and then you can continue with small daily changes in proportion.
HOW DID MAZURI® ALPACA & LLAMA MAINTENANCE DIET CHANGE?
Mazuri® Alpaca & Llama Maintenance Diet is the basic diet for non-fiber producing alpacas and llamas. Mazuri
updated the packaging and made slight formula adjustments, including more fiber, selenium and sodium.
HOW DID MAZURI® CHEWS & CRUMBLES FEED CHANGE?
Mazuri® Chews and Crumbles has been replaced by Mazuri® Alpaca Care. It offers the basic nutritional needs for all life stages – including maintenance, seniors, growing and breeding alpacas. Mazuri moderated protein levels, increased fiber and sodium, and added flaxseed for immune system support and fleece quality. Alpaca Care will still be available in two formats: pellets and crumbles.
HOW DID MAZURI® ULTIMATE® FEED CHANGE?
Mazuri® UltimatE® has been replaced by Mazuri® Alpaca Performance. This premier-quality diet for competition and fiber-producing animals (breeding and non-breeding) now has better balanced fiber and starch, and increased sodium, selenium, zinc, folic acid, biotin and vitamins A, D and E. Mazuri also added beet pulp to support gastric health and improve flavor, and increased the organic minerals, probiotics and flaxseed for digestive support and overall health.
For fiber-producing animals with higher energy needs, consider transitioning to new Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life.
HOW DID MAZURI® GROWTH & REPRO FEED CHANGE?
Mazuri created a new diet with an expanded purpose to replace Mazuri® Growth & Repro (or for some animals,
to replace Mazuri® UltimatE®). The new diet includes:
- Smaller pellets that are easier for younger and older alpacas to chew
- Higher energy levels
- Improved apple and molasses flavor
- Improved nutrients, including better balanced fiber and starch, and increased sodium, selenium, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, folic acid, biotin and vitamins A, D and E
- Increased organic minerals, probiotics, flaxseed and beet pulp for digestive support and overall health
HOW DO I DECIDE WHICH DIET TO FEED MY ALPACA?
Mazuri updated its line of alpaca diets to provide options for different animal lifestyles and life stages. Now, you can quickly find the right feed based on your alpaca’s specific needs:
| lifestyle/life stage | Diet options | First Recommendation |
| Adult alpacas who are non-fiber producing | Mazuri® Alpaca Care feed or Mazuri® Alpaca & Llama Maintenance feed | Mazuri® Alpaca Care feed |
| Fiber production and show alpacas | Mazuri® Alpaca Performance feed or Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life feed |
Mazuri® Alpaca Performance feed |
| Breeding, gestating and lactating alpacas, and crias | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life feed, Mazuri® Alpaca Care feed or Mazuri® Alpaca Performance feed | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life |
| Alpacas who need to gain weight/have higher energy needs | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life |
| Senior alpacas | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life or Mazuri® Alpaca Care feed | Mazuri® Alpaca Complete Life |
IS THIS A COMPLETE FEED? DOES MY ALPACA NEED ANYTHING ELSE?
Mazuri feeds are formulated for feeding with hay or pasture. Each formula was designed with the proper balance of protein, energy, vitamins and minerals for the life stage and lifestyles of your alpacas.