Can rats eat mealworms?

Yes, but only a little: rats can eat mealworms. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) names feeder insects for the small share of animal protein. The PDSA lists a mealworm among occasional treats, and the University of Liverpool’s veterinary practice says insects like mealworms can be offered occasionally. Woodgreen advises only small amounts of mealworms because of their fat content. The Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) lists (dried) insects as an occasional food, and the Swiss animal welfare society (STS) also includes insects in animal foods.

How to serve it: one portion is 1–2 crickets or 3–5 medium mealworms (Zürcher Tierschutz)

Good to know: The Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) says rats on a good commercial mix don’t need extra animal protein, so offer it only as an exception, at most once or twice a week in small amounts. If you make your own grain mix without animal ingredients, the society says each rat must get a portion of animal food twice a week, varying the foods.