How To Care For Camels (Camel husbandry tips)

Insights from Years of Hands-On Experience (and mistakes!)

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Becoming a camel owner is a journey filled with excitement, wonder, and—let’s be honest—a bit of uncertainty. If you’ve found yourself Googling, “How to care for a camel?” only to hit a wall of sparse, inconsistent information, you’re not alone. Camels are truly one-of-a-kind animals, and caring for them requires a unique approach. A one-size-fits-all method just doesn’t work.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my years as a camel owner, trainer, and educator, it’s this: camel care often means learning by doing. There will be successes, yes, but there will also be missteps, and occasionally, heartbreak. 

I’ve been through it all— from minor hiccups, steep learning curves, and some truly gut-wrenching losses. These experiences shaped my understanding of camels and deepened my respect for their complexity and resilience.

It’s why I’m so passionate about sharing what I’ve learned, not just to make life easier for other camel enthusiasts, but also to ensure these amazing animals get the care they deserve and to encourage more camel ownership worldwide.

My goal is to help like-minded, compassionate people like you—whether you’re already caring for camels or just considering it—together we can give camel’s the healthiest, happiest lives possible and debunk the misinformation that got me caught out on more than a few occasions. 

From this I’ve developed practical, proven strategies for camel husbandry that focus on prevention, building trust, and truly understanding these fascinating creatures. And the best part? You don’t have to learn the hard way like I did.

By sharing these essential tips on camel care and husbandry, I hope to make your camel journey smoother and more fulfilling, while sparing your camels any unnecessary challenges along the way. 

#1 Common Mistake: Treating Camels Like Other Animals

Camels are exotic creatures, and their care goes far beyond the basics you might know from working with other livestock or pets. 

A camel’s biology and behaviour are incredibly distinct, which means a tailored approach is not just recommended—it’s essential. 

In the western world, veterinary knowledge about camels is often limited. Which means many vets rely on the owner’s insights to provide care, creating a partnership rooted in openness and ongoing learning.

As a camel enthusiast, adopting a mindset of curiosity and flexibility is your biggest asset. There’s always more to learn, and not all advice is good advice. 

Research, ask questions, and lean on trusted resources to navigate your camel care journey.

Tip #1: Replicating Their Natural Habitat

Camels have evolved to thrive in desert environments, so it’s crucial to recreate elements of their natural habitat, even if you live somewhere far from the desert like most of us.

Think about and investigate what they would eat, the natural herbs and shrubs they’d use for self-medication and protein sources, and how they’d interact with their environment. 

For instance:

• Feeding: Camels naturally browse above ground for bushes, herbs, and trees. Mimicking this with native plants or similar forage such as pastures or hays that compromise similar nutritional qualities is ideal. Feeding off the gound assist with excellent parasite management too!

• Environment: In wet, tropical climates, camels may need man-made solutions like dry areas or shelters to reduce stress. While camels are highly adaptable, they are naturally suited to dryer conditions and often require extra care in domestic settings to stay healthy.

This balance will not only keep your camel happy but will also help prevent stress-related illnesses.

Prevent Stress Before It Starts

Camels are resilient, but they’re also highly sensitive. Many health issues stem from prolonged, unnoticed stress, as camels are survival animals that hide illness until it’s advanced. 

Here’s how you can reduce a camels stress:

• Build a strong bond through training and handling. Trust is key.
• Learn about and pay attention to early warning signs of health issues, illness or stress.
• Prevent, rather than cure, by maintaining their health proactively.

Stress weakens a camel’s immune system, increasing their vulnerability to parasites, illness, and other health issues. 

With the right knowledge and a solid husbandry routine, camel care becomes much more manageable and rewarding.

Managing Parasites

Parasites, aka “worms” are a significant health risk for camels, as they lack the natural immunity than that of other domestic livestock such as cattle & horses. 

The key to managing this challenge is prevention and thoughtful care. Regular fecal egg counts (FECs) are essential—they identify specific parasites and their loads, saving you time, money, and unnecessary treatments. 

Blindly administering medications can lead to parasite resistance, making them harder to control.

Boosting your camel’s mineral intake strengthens their immune system, helping them fend off parasites naturally. 

Tailored worming programs are vital; one-size-fits-all solutions often miss the mark. Your camel’s environment and individual needs should guide your approach as laid out in my Introduction to Camel Husbandry book.

Prevention is always better than cure. 

By focusing on proper nutrition, stress management, and a clean environment (such as pasture rotation) has been reported amongst my students to reduce the risk of infestations and keep camels healthy and thriving. 

Healthy camels mean less worry for you and a happier life for them!

A Camel’s Diet

Camels are unique in their dietary needs. They’re pseudo-ruminants, meaning they chew cud but lack the four-chambered stomach of true ruminants. Their diet should be:

• High in bulk & protein as This mimics their natural foraging habits.
• Rich in salt & minerals as Camels require far more salt than other animals in combination with a balanced mineral mix. TIP: Always provide loose rock salt rather than blocks to prevent tooth damage. 

Proper nutrition prevents many common health issues, so understanding their unique dietary needs is critical.

I’ve learned the hard way how crucial it is to have reliable, accessible camel care knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned owner or considering bringing camels into your life, these insights are just the tip of the iceberg of caring for camels.

Caring for camels isn’t always easy, but with the right mindset and resources, it’s an incredibly rewarding journey. 

As camel owners, we have a responsibility to these remarkable animals. Let’s rise to the challenge together.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. My newly published book Introduction to Camel Husbandry is a comprehensive, practical guide designed to help you succeed. 

I’ve written it in simple, accessible language and packed with actionable advice to make caring for camels feel less overwhelming and more intuitive.

This guide is built on years of hands-on experience with camels in a range of environments, from the Australian outback to coastal pastures and tropical climates. It offers practical insights to help you understand the camel’s unique needs and how to meet them, no matter where you are in the world.

Covering everything from basic care to more in-depth topics like health, diet, and stress management, it provides a solid foundation for camel owners, designed to help you feel more confident and capable in caring for your camels.

Your understanding is key to your potential as a camel owner. 

The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to ensure they live happy, healthy lives.

So, take the first step. Grab your copy of Introduction to Camel Husbandry and join a growing community of dedicated camel owners making a difference for these magnificent creatures. Your camels will thank you—and so will your future self.

Books are available in paperback or kindle on Amazon. Search for it or click below.