Emergency Mealworms

[Chaser]

Today I arrived home from a 3 week vacation to find out my frog sitter had forgotten his duties. All of them.
My red eyed tree frog has not eaten for three weeks so I rushed to my pet store to get crickets, only to find out that they were out of crickets, so in desparation I bought some small mealworms. They are appropiate in size and I believe that Red eyed tree frogs can eat them. So my question is, will he eat them. He hasnt had mealworms before.. Thank you in advance.

-Chase

[Pyxiefan001]

The only thing I know about mealworms is that you shouldn't feed them regularly. They're tough to digest. But go ahead and see if Frog'll take them. Hope he pulls through. Must be starving, the poor bloke.

[Gnag the nameless]

Agreed with pixiefan, although, if you've a garden or fertilizer/additives/pesticide free compost you may want to try for some earthworms. They're so much more nutritious and easy to digest, and also bigger and easier to spot. My bullfrog, Gnag, loves Canadian Nightcrawlers and Red wrigglers, she actually beat her record by eating a 10 inch Nightcrawler recently.

You may want to pick up some reptiboost, and also UNFLAVORED pedialyte from your nearby Walmart, as well as some liquifyed natural honey. To perk your RETF up, give him some energy, you could give him a soak of 1/10 pedialyte 9/10 dechlorinated water with 2 or 3 drops of honey, in a critter keeper or even a tupperware container with holes poked out from the inside to prevent injuries. Make sure the solution does not go over his mouth when he is sitting in it. Keep him in the solution for 5-15 minutes, and then place him back in his enclosure. 10 minutes after, offer food.

Goodluck. Keep us posted.

[Mentat]

How is your frog doing Chase? 3 weeks without food or care is a serious health concern . Caspian recommendation for pedialyte bath is very good; please ensure it's around 80F.

Problem with mealworms is that they are low in nutrients, hard to digest, and those pincers can damage the frogs digestive tract. If no crickets still; might try night crawlers (Walmart's sport section); maybe frog will eat them and they are way better nutrition than mealworms. Good luck !

[Chaser]

Thanks everyone. Last night he ate a meal worm from my hand, only one. I don't think he likes them. So I left him alone for the night. Right now he is dark green, which is unnusual for this time of day.
Heres a picture, and to be honest the picture doesnt do this poor little guy any justice. His colors are very dull. Im guessing this is stress?

[Chaser]

Great news everyone. I let my mother barrow my car yesterday due to some engine problems with her car, and when she brought it back this morning she had bought me crickets! It was a quite a surprise considering she has told me "I will never touch a cricket, even if its in one of those bug boxes." multiple times before. Even though she got the wrong size, I am very happy! Im sure that i can find a few crickets small enough.