Camelids including alpacas and llamas are kept for fibre, trekking, and companionship, but their specific physiological and behavioural needs are often misunderstood by owners.
Camelids have a dedicated following as companion and small-farm animals, but their welfare needs differ significantly from sheep, goats, and other ruminants that keepers may have more experience with. Herd sociality is fundamental: single camelids experience chronic social stress regardless of human contact. Dental disease causes ongoing pain and compromises feeding efficiency but is often missed without specific veterinary examination. Nutritional management requires camelid-specific rather than generic ruminant products to avoid mineral toxicities. The growing popularity of alpaca farms for tourism and fibre production has outpaced keeper education in many countries, creating welfare risks for animals whose needs are not fully understood. Species-specific training and veterinary support are essential components of responsible camelid keeping.