The population distribution and zoonotic potential of gastrointestinal helminths in naturally infected population of rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus frugivorus) in Beni-Suef are studied. One hundred and twenty rats were investigated, 30.00 % of R. rattus and 28.57 % of R. frugivorus were found infected by helminths. These helminths were 3 cestodes; Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta and Strobilocercus fasciolaris larva; 2 nematodes; Syphacia obvelata and Nippostrongylus braseliensis from both species of rats. The most prevalent helminth was Nippostrongylus braseliensis in rats. Experimental infection of free cats by larvae of Strobilocercus fasciolaris to obtain adult worms of Taenia taeniaeformis was done. The study revealed that rats act as reservoir of infection for human by Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta and for cats by Taenia taeniaeformis