How do you wean a newborn mouse pup? - briefly
Introduce solid chow around post‑natal day 21, gradually increasing its share while decreasing access to the dam’s milk. Continue the transition until the pup is fully sustained by standard rodent diet and water.
How do you wean a newborn mouse pup? - in detail
The transition from maternal milk to solid nourishment in laboratory mice requires careful timing, appropriate diet, and consistent monitoring. Begin the process when pups are around 14 days old; at this stage they can handle solid food and their incisors are sufficiently developed. Remove the dam for a short period each day (approximately 2–3 hours) and provide a pre‑weighed amount of sterilized chow on the cage floor. The food should be softened with a few drops of sterile water to facilitate chewing and reduce the risk of impaction.
Key steps:
- Day 14–16: Offer softened chow for 1–2 hours daily while the mother is absent. Observe pup interest; increased nibbling indicates readiness.
- Day 17–19: Extend the exposure to 3–4 hours. Introduce small pieces of nutritionally balanced powdered diet mixed with water to a semi‑liquid consistency.
- Day 20–22: Reduce maternal presence to 30 minutes per day. Provide both softened chow and powdered diet; monitor consumption by weighing food before and after each session.
- Day 23 onward: Allow continuous access to solid diet. Return the dam permanently once pups consistently ingest food and maintain normal weight gain.
Additional considerations:
- Maintain a stable temperature (22–26 °C) and humidity (45–55 %). Sudden environmental changes can stress the animals and impede feeding.
- Use autoclaved or irradiated feed to prevent contamination. Replace uneaten food daily to avoid spoilage.
- Record pup body weight each day. A loss exceeding 5 % of pre‑weaning weight signals potential nutritional deficiency and requires immediate veterinary assessment.
- Ensure water is always available in a lick bottle. Hydration is critical once milk intake declines.
By adhering to this schedule and monitoring health indicators, the shift from lactation to solid nutrition proceeds smoothly, supporting normal growth and development.