How to wean mouse pups? - briefly
Introduce a nutritionally balanced solid diet (e.g., custom mouse chow or milk replacer) around post‑natal day 21 while gradually limiting the dam’s nursing access, and monitor intake to ensure pups meet caloric needs. Complete the transition by day 28–30, confirming stable body weight before fully separating the young from the mother.
How to wean mouse pups? - in detail
Weaning mouse pups requires a systematic approach to ensure health, growth, and successful transition to solid food. The process typically begins at post‑natal day (PND) 21, when the pups are physiologically capable of independent feeding.
First, assess the dam’s lactation status. If the mother is still nursing, gradually reduce litter size to 3–4 pups per dam to minimize competition for milk and encourage earlier solid food intake. Remove the dam for short periods (2–4 hours) each day, extending the interval over a week to promote pup self‑feeding.
Second, introduce a suitable solid diet. Use a nutritionally complete, pelleted mouse chow formulated for weanlings, with particle size appropriate for young teeth. Place the chow in a shallow dish or on a grid to facilitate access. Provide water in a bottle equipped with a low‑profile sipper to prevent spillage.
Third, monitor consumption. Record daily chow and water intake per cage. If intake is low, supplement with a soft, high‑calorie paste (e.g., 1:1 mixture of chow and sterile milk replacer) for the first 2–3 days. Offer the paste on a sterile petri dish and replace it every 12 hours to maintain freshness.
Fourth, maintain environmental conditions. Keep temperature at 22 ± 2 °C and humidity at 45–55 %. Provide nesting material and enrichment to reduce stress, which can affect feeding behavior.
Fifth, evaluate growth. Weigh each pup every 2 days. Expected weight gain after weaning is 1.5–2 g per week. Persistent weight loss or stagnation warrants veterinary assessment and possible supplementation.
Typical weaning schedule:
- PND 21 – Begin limited dam removal, introduce solid chow.
- PND 22–24 – Increase dam‑free intervals, add soft paste if needed.
- PND 25–28 – Full removal of dam, transition to chow only.
- PND 30 – Confirm stable chow and water intake, continue regular weighing.
After successful weaning, house pups in groups of 3–5 per cage to promote social interaction and reduce aggression. Continue to provide fresh chow and water ad libitum. Regular health checks should be performed weekly for the first month post‑weaning.