feeding insects/bugs

[Rexie]

I have noticed that when a bug is around rexie will grab it and eat it. Should I offer him bugs as a treat? The ones I saw him eat were small beetle type.

[CritterMom]

He can have bugs but I would strongly suggest purchasing either wax worms or meal worms for him at the pet store. It is difficult to know if a specific insect is toxic unless you really are a bug person - not to mention the fact that so many people put poison out for them it is hard to know if they may have recently ingested poison that simply hasn't had a chance to kill them yet.

Of course when you kiss him he is gonna have worm breath...:grin3

[Rexie]

thanks, I will give them a try, if he likes them I will have to over look the bug breath, lol

[Brooklyn]

I can't remember what the problem was, but too many insects (mealworms for sure) does something bad. Darn it! I wish I remembered...I think it might deplete calcium. So only one every few days...maybe three worms per week, if I remember correctly. I used to keep a small pet store container in the fridge when my boy was young and offer him one 2 or 3 times per week, but he eventually turned up his nose on them. Now I see him grab a moth now and then and god help any cricket that finds its way in our house...Willow hunts them down and finds them immediately. But I let him choose on his own...I don't capture and offer them to him, figuring he knows what is safe (hopefully, by instinct) better than I do.

[CritterMom]

I can't remember what the problem was, but too many insects (mealworms for sure) does something bad. Darn it! I wish I remembered...I think it might deplete calcium. So only one every few days...maybe three worms per week, if I remember correctly. I used to keep a small pet store container in the fridge when my boy was young and offer him one 2 or 3 times per week, but he eventually turned up his nose on them. Now I see him grab a moth now and then and god help any cricket that finds its way in our house...Willow hunts them down and finds them immediately. But I let him choose on his own...I don't capture and offer them to him, figuring he knows what is safe (hopefully, by instinct) better than I do.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I have a flying squirrel that needs to have them in his diet, and like most flyer folk, I treat them by sprinking with calcium powder to adjust for that.

[Rexie]

ok thanks, he does not like them too well anyway, I think he just shreds them for fun.