Mealworms are a food family of insects that can be found all over the world. They have been eaten by humans for centuries and are now being used as a food source for pet rabbits. In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about mealworms and how to feed them to your pet rabbits. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to safely prepare mealworms for your rabbits.
What are mealworms?
Mealworms are the larval form of the darkling beetle and Tenebrio molitor is the most common species used for human consumption. Mealworms can be any color from white to brown, depending on their age and diet.
How often should I give my rabbits mealworms?
You should only feed your pet bunny as many mealworms as they can eat within 15 minutes of offering it to them. This is the best way to ensure that you are not overfeeding your rabbit and causing obesity or other health problems.
How many mealworms do rabbits eat a day?
Most small pet rabbits should eat between 3 and 5 mealworms every other day. For larger breeds, it might be fine to give them 5 or more mealworms a day.
What mealworms are safe for rabbits?
Most pet rabbits can safely eat mealworms that are larger than half an inch in length. Mealworms that are smaller than this pose a choking hazard for bunnies.
What is your experience feeding mealworms to rabbits?
I would say that the #1 reason for bad experience with mealworms is that rabbits can get sick from eating them if you do not feed them properly. There are many ways to prepare and serve up mealworms to bunnies, but only a few ways work well!
Are mealworms bad for rabbits?
No, mealworms are not dangerous for rabbits to eat. There is no need to worry about your pet bunny getting sick from eating a few (or even a lot) of mealworms.
Where can I get mealworms for my rabbits?
There are many pet stores that sell live mealworms. You can also buy them online from a variety of sources, including:
• Amazon
• Mealworm farm suppliers
Is it safe to feed mealworms to your pet rabbits?
Yes, mealworms are safe for bunnies to eat. A small amount of raw mealworms does not contain enough toxins or allergens to be dangerous for your bunny. If they have been cooked, then it is probably best not to feed them at all because this will kill any nutritional benefits that they would provide your bunny.
What to do if your pet rabbits are sick from eating mealworms?
If you feel that your pet bunny has eaten a mealworm or two in a way that was not digestible, then be sure to contact a veterinarian. If the ingested mealworms have been digested and have not harmed your rabbit in any way, you can relax and not worry about feeding mealworms to your bunnies anymore.
Do rabbits like mealworms?
Yes, pet rabbits find mealworms very tasty and will go crazy over them! Pet bunnies were actually used in the early stages of research to test if mealworms were safe for human consumption because it was known that bunnies loved eating mealworms.
Can pet rabbits eat mealworms?
Yes, pet rabbits can eat mealworms. Pet bunnies were actually used in the early stages of research to test if mealworms were safe for human consumption. Rabbits enjoy eating mealworms and they are a good source of protein for them.
Food family of mealworms
Mealworms belong to the food family of beetles, which also includes:
• Darkling beetles
• Buffalo and stag beetles
• Dorb and Zophobas beetles
4 good substitutes for mealworms
If your bunnies absolutely refuse to eat mealworms, then you can try offering them these foods as a substitute:
• Crickets
• Dubia roaches (dubias)
• Waxworms
• Phoenix worms (pinheads)
7 steps to prepare mealworms for rabbits
If you decide to feed your pet bunny mealworms, then here is the best way to prepare them:
- Soak the mealworms in a mixture of two tablespoons of powdered milk and one tablespoon of honey for 15 minutes. This makes it easier for the rabbit to digest. Do not serve them raw because this can cause choking.
- Put the mealworms in a bowl and give it to your bunny. This should happen within 15 minutes of preparation or they will start to become hard and dry.
- The best time to feed your pet rabbit mealworms is between 5:30 am and 7:30 pm Monday through Friday because this is when rabbits are most active.
- If your pet bunny does not eat all of the mealworms within 15 minutes, then put them back into their bowl and remove any that are left over after another 15 minutes to prevent spoiling.
- It is best to discard any leftover mealworms in a place where they cannot crawl away to safety because otherwise your bunnies might be tempted to eat them.
- Never give your rabbits mealworms that have been cooked because this will kill the nutritional benefits of the larvae.
- If you limit the number of mealworms given to your rabbit, then it should not be a problem to leave them in their cage while you are away at work for 8 hours.
6 health benefits of mealworms for rabbits
- Helps with weight management
Mealworms are a good source of protein and fat that will help your pet rabbit stay healthy and fit while limiting their risk of obesity and other problems associated with being overweight.
- Provides lots of energy
Because mealworms contain 24 grams of protein per 100 grams of mealworms, they are a great source of energy that your pet bunny can use to stay active and healthy.
- Helps to balance diet
Mealworms will provide your rabbit with the necessary proteins and fat to balance out their daily intake of carbohydrates from other sources like vegetables.
- A good alternative for picky eaters
If your bunny is a picky eater, then mealworms are the perfect way to get them to eat their veggies because they can suck out all of the nutrients from vegetables that are inside of mealworms.
- Helps to produce healthy fur and skin
Mealworms are very rich in protein which is essential for healthy fur and skin. This means that feeding mealworms to your pet rabbit will help them stay soft and silky while also preventing them from getting sick.
- Helps with weight loss
Because mealworms are high in protein, they can help your pet bunny lose weight by increasing their metabolism and giving them more energy throughout the day.
6 possible concerns when feeding mealworms to rabbits
- Choking hazard
Because rabbits have a delicate digestive system, it is important that they do not eat something that is too big for their system to handle as this can be dangerous or even fatal. In order to avoid this problem, ensure that you are always watching your pet bunny while they are eating and remove any uneaten food after 15 minutes.
- Parasites and illnesses
Like all animals, mealworms can carry parasites and get sick just like rabbits can get sick from eating them. If you aren’t absolutely sure that the mealworms you are feeding your pet bunny come from a safe source, then it is possible that they will become sick which can make your pet bunny sick.
- Allergic reaction
If your rabbit is allergic to mealworms, then they could develop an itchy rash or even start coughing if they eat them. If you notice that your rabbit has any of these symptoms, then remove the mealworms immediately and take him or her to a vet for treatment.
- Moldy mealworms
Mealworms can carry bacteria and mold which can be toxic to your pet bunny if they eat them. In order to reduce the risk of this, always remove any uneaten mealworms from their cage after 15 minutes to ensure that they do not spoil or become moldy. If you have used a Tupperware to store the mealworms, always ensure that you clean it thoroughly before using it again.
- Allergic reaction from licking
If your pet bunny licks a lot of the powder off of the mealworms before eating them then they might develop an allergic reaction to it which can be very dangerous for their health and wellbeing. In order to avoid this, always wash your hands fully after handling the mealworms before you touch your pet bunny.
- Illness from eating too many
It is possible that your pet bunny can become sick if they eat too many mealworms in a short period of time. For example, if they eat their entire daily portion in one sitting then they might develop an intestinal blockage or become sick from eating too many.
4 signs pet rabbits are sick from feeding mealworms
- Loss of appetite
If your rabbit is feeling unwell and they stop eating for more than a day then this is a sign that something might be wrong. If you notice that your pet bunny is not eating, then take them to a vet as soon as possible.
- Diarrhea
Mealworms can be difficult for some rabbits to digest which is why they might start having loose stool or diarrhea if they eat too many of them. If you notice that your rabbit has runny stools, then take them to a vet immediately.
- Vomiting
If your rabbit suddenly starts vomiting or if they vomit undigested mealworms then this is a sign that something might be wrong with their digestive system and you should take them to a vet as soon as possible.
- Lethargy and weakness
If your pet bunny suddenly becomes lethargic or weak and they are not eating properly then this is a sign that something might be wrong with them so take them to a vet as soon as possible.
5 Tips before giving mealworms to rabbits
- Store the mealworms in an airtight container
One of the most important things you can do when feeding your pet bunny Mealworms is to store them in an airtight container to prevent them from becoming moldy. This is because you want the mealworms to be safe for your pet bunny and fresh so they can get all of their nutrients.
- Prevent choking
If you notice that your rabbit is having a lot of trouble chewing up or swallowing the mealworms then it might be a good idea to crush them using a mortar and pestle or cut them in half with kitchen scissors. Mealworms are much easier for bunnies to eat when they are smaller, so it is vital that you do something about this problem quick.
- Choose the right mealworm type
There are many different types of mealworms available on the market and it is important to choose the right one for your pet bunny. For example, if you have a baby rabbit then you should choose mealworms that are smaller because they will be easier for them to eat and digest.
- Serve them in a shallow bowl or plate
If you notice that your pet bunny has a really hard time reaching the mealworms and they cannot get to them, then you should serve them in a shallow bowl or plate instead. This way, your pet bunny will be able to reach all of the mealworms without any trouble and they can eat all of their nutrients safely and easily.
- Always store mealworms in an airtight container
One of the most important things you can do when feeding your pet bunny mealworms is to store them in an airtight container. This is because it will prevent the mealworms from getting moldy and this way they will be safer for your pets.
On The Whole
So, there you have it- everything you need to know about feeding mealworms to rabbits. Do you think your bunnies would like them? Leave a comment below and let us know! And as always, happy hopping!
