Do Rabbits Eat Worms

Do Rabbits Eat Worms and Mealworms

Here at Hobby Farm Heaven, we see plenty of earthworms in the rabbit poop below our outdoor rabbit hutches.  Worms love the nutrient rich rabbit poop!

You may be wondering, Do Rabbits Eat Worms and Mealworms?

The answer is no, rabbits do not eat earthworms or mealworms! 

Rabbits are strict herbivores.  So while a curious rabbit may poke at a worm with its nose or paw, the rabbit is not interested in eating worms. Further, the rabbit’s specialized digestive system is not designed to process meat of any kind. 

Note that your rabbit may accidentally eat part of a worm while it is chowing down on some grass, hay or vegetables.  This is not a problem for you to worry about.  This may happen in the wild from time to time as well.  

A small piece of earthworm should not upset your rabbit’s digestive system or compromise your rabbit’s health.

In fact, a scientific study showing that earthworm meal may be used in rabbit rations to provide as much as 30% of the protein that adult rabbits need.  That’s right, earthworm meal was found to have no (short term) negative effects on the test rabbits. 

Several other animal meals or flours, in addition to earthworm meal, have been studied as a protein supplement for large animal feeding operations. 

These animal meals are essentially dried and finely ground meat.  They are ground into a powder and the meal or powder has been used to supplement feeds for fish farming, and chicken farming. 

Nutritional Analysis of Earthworm Meal

Here is a scientific article from the International Journal of Chemical Studies that discusses the nutrition provided by earthworm meal. The article states that the earthworm meal was found to be about 29% protein and about 1% crude fiber. 

That is a very high protein, and a very low fiber food for a rabbit; that’s why the meal would be a supplement.  Clearly, we do not recommend earthworm meal for your rabbits. 

Do Rabbits Eat Mealworms

No, it is not natural for a rabbit to eat a meal worm or anything other than plant material.  

We’ve seen some reports that say a rabbit may eat a few mealworms without any resulting harm, but nothing that indicates mealworms should be a deliberate part of a healthy rabbit diet. 

Some people argue that because a mealworm primarily feeds on grains, it will taste like grains to a rabbit.  We have not found any realistic support for that daydream.  

Can A Rabbit Eat A Mealworm?

Yes, a rabbit can accidentally eat a mealworm without fear of being harmed.  A single mealworm should not cause problems in the rabbit’s delicate digestive system.  

Do Rabbits Shed And Molt?

Best Rabbit Diet

Rabbits have developed for years in the wild to digest tough, high fiber plant materials such as hay and grasses that are low in sugar, low in water content, and low in acids.  

This is why domestic rabbits do best when they eat a high fiber, low sugar diet; bunnies have particular high-fiber needs that are unlike other pets. 

For example, orchard hay, timothy hay or another high quality hay should make up 75-80% of your bunny’s daily diet.

Another 10-15% of your rabbit’s diet can be premium rabbit pellets, which offer unique nutrients and proteins. 

What about fruits, veggies and leafy greens?

These should only be offered as treats or dietary supplements of sorts and in total should make up only 5-10% of your rabbit’s diet. 

Making hay for rabbits

Do Rabbits eat Beetles?

No, rabbits do not eat beetles!  You may see your curious rabbit sniffing or pawing at a beetle, but your rabbit is a strict herbivore and is not at all interested in eating beetles. For more on this topic you can visit our post Do Rabbits Eat Bugs and Insects?

Do Rabbits Eat Ants?

No, rabbits do not eat ants!  You may catch your inquisitive rabbit watching or sniffing at ants, but the rabbit is not thinking about eating the ants.  

Here is a related video:  How To Make A Worm Bin Using Rabbit Manure

Final Thoughts on Do Rabbits Eat Worms and Mealworms

As evolved herbivores who do not have a hunting impulse, rabbits are not interested in eating worms or mealworms.  

If your rabbit mistakenly eats a worm or a bug while it is happily chowing down on some grass or vegetables, then do not despair.  A worm or two should not upset your rabbit’s digestive system, or harm your rabbit in some other manner. 

For decades scientists have researched the use of worm meal to augment the commercial feed for factory farming of “mass production” animals such as on fish farms and in chicken houses.

Worm meal is different than live worms. Worm meal is the baked and powdered form of worms; it is like flour.  You are likely asking do rabbits eat (live) worms?

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