How should baby food puree be given to rats? - briefly
Administer the puree using a calibrated oral gavage needle or sterile pipette, delivering 0.1–0.2 ml per 100 g body weight onto the rat’s palate while gently restraining the animal. Provide the mixture at room temperature, replace any leftover within 30 minutes, and monitor the rat for normal feeding behavior.
How should baby food puree be given to rats? - in detail
When providing infant‑grade puree to laboratory rats, follow a controlled protocol to ensure consistent intake and minimize health risks.
Select a commercially prepared, low‑sugar, low‑salt puree without additives that could affect rodent metabolism. Verify the product’s ingredient list for potential allergens or preservatives; avoid varieties containing citrus, dairy, or artificial sweeteners.
Prepare the feeding solution immediately before use. Thin the puree with sterile, deionized water to a viscosity comparable to a liquid diet (approximately 1 mL g⁻¹ of body weight). Stir until homogeneous, then filter through a 0.45 µm membrane to eliminate particulate contaminants.
Deliver the diet using the following steps:
- Calculate dosage – Multiply the rat’s body weight (in grams) by 0.01 mL to determine the daily volume (e.g., a 250 g rat receives 2.5 mL).
- Load a calibrated syringe – Fill the syringe with the measured volume, removing air bubbles.
- Administer orally – Restrain the rat gently, tilt the head slightly upward, and dispense the puree into the mouth using a soft‑tip catheter.
- Observe swallowing – Ensure the animal ingests the entire dose; if spillage occurs, repeat the measurement.
- Record data – Document the exact volume, time of administration, and any immediate reactions.
Monitor the subjects for at least 30 minutes post‑feeding. Look for signs of distress, regurgitation, or abnormal behavior. If adverse effects appear, discontinue the puree and provide standard rodent chow.
Maintain a strict cleaning schedule: sterilize syringes and catheters after each use, and store any leftover puree at 4 °C for no longer than 24 hours. Discard any product showing signs of spoilage.
By adhering to these procedures, researchers can reliably assess the nutritional impact of infant puree on rat physiology while preserving animal welfare and experimental integrity.