What does a white mouse eat? - briefly
White mice eat grains, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and protein sources such as insects or commercial rodent chow. They also need constant access to fresh water.
What does a white mouse eat? - in detail
A white laboratory mouse requires a nutritionally balanced diet to support rapid growth, reproduction, and experimental reliability. The standard feed is a commercially formulated rodent chow, typically presented as pellets or crumble. This base diet supplies approximately 18–20 % protein, 4–5 % fat, 5 % fiber, and a calibrated mix of vitamins and minerals essential for metabolic stability.
Supplementary items may be offered to enhance variety or meet specific research needs:
- Grains and seeds: wheat, corn, oats, millet; provide additional carbohydrates and essential fatty acids.
- Fresh produce: apple slices, carrot shreds, broccoli florets; contribute vitamins A, C, and K, as well as dietary fiber.
- Protein enrichments: boiled egg whites, cooked lean meat, soybeans; increase amino acid availability for breeding colonies or growth studies.
- Treats for conditioning: small pieces of dried fruit or commercial mouse treats; used sparingly to avoid caloric excess.
Water must be available ad libitum, delivered via a calibrated bottle or automatic dispenser to ensure consistent intake and prevent dehydration. Neonatal mice obtain nutrition exclusively from maternal milk until weaning at 21 days; post‑weaning individuals transition to the complete chow formula, with gradual introduction of supplemental foods.
Dietary adjustments are necessary under certain conditions:
- Pregnant or lactating females: increase protein content to 20–22 % and provide additional calcium to support fetal development and milk production.
- Aged or disease‑model mice: reduce fat levels and incorporate easily digestible carbohydrates to mitigate metabolic strain.
- Specific experimental protocols: replace standard chow with defined purified diets (e.g., AIN‑93M) to control macro‑ and micronutrient variables.
Foods that pose toxicity risks must be excluded entirely: chocolate, caffeine, raw onions, garlic, citrus peels, and high‑salt snacks can cause severe physiological disturbances or mortality.
Monitoring feed consumption daily, recording body weight weekly, and adjusting portions based on growth curves ensure that the animal maintains optimal health and that experimental outcomes remain reproducible.