How long can a mouse survive without water and food? - briefly
A mouse generally endures roughly 2–4 days without water and 7–10 days without food, with exact duration depending on age, health status, and ambient conditions.
How long can a mouse survive without water and food? - in detail
Mice possess a high basal metabolic rate; consequently, both hydration and caloric intake are critical for maintaining homeostasis.
When access to water is eliminated, dehydration progresses rapidly. In ambient temperatures of 20‑22 °C, laboratory‑bred mice typically survive 24–48 hours before severe hypovolemia and organ failure occur. Under cooler conditions (≈10 °C), the survival window can extend to 48–72 hours, reflecting reduced evaporative loss.
Absence of food while water remains available permits considerably longer endurance. Adult mice sustain life for 7–10 days on water alone; some strains have been observed to survive up to 14 days before irreversible cachexia and metabolic collapse develop.
Simultaneous deprivation of both water and nourishment shortens the viable period dramatically. Experimental data indicate that, under standard housing conditions, mice perish within 48–72 hours. The initial phase is dominated by dehydration, followed by rapid depletion of glycogen stores and onset of ketosis.
Key factors influencing these intervals include:
- Strain (e.g., C57BL/6 versus BALB/c): metabolic efficiency varies.
- Age (juvenile mice exhibit faster decline).
- Ambient temperature and humidity (higher temperature accelerates fluid loss).
- Health status (pre‑existing disease shortens survival).
Understanding these limits informs humane experimental design and veterinary care, ensuring that any unavoidable deprivation does not exceed the documented thresholds.