What should you give a mouse to drink? - briefly
Provide the mouse with fresh, clean water, ideally from a sipper bottle to prevent contamination. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic liquids.
What should you give a mouse to drink? - in detail
Mice require a constant supply of clean, fresh liquid to maintain physiological balance. The most reliable source is plain, filtered water at room temperature. Water should be presented in a leak‑proof bottle with a sipper tube to prevent contamination and spillage. Replace the supply daily to avoid bacterial growth.
For laboratory or breeding colonies, electrolyte‑balanced solutions such as lactated Ringer’s or a low‑sodium phosphate buffer may be used temporarily during recovery from illness or dehydration. These formulations should be administered under veterinary guidance and limited to short periods.
Sugary beverages, fruit juices, milk, and caffeinated drinks are unsuitable. High sugar concentrations can cause gastrointestinal distress and obesity, while lactose in milk is poorly digested by adult rodents. Caffeine and alcohol are toxic even at low doses and must be excluded entirely.
Specialized hydration gels, often marketed for small rodents, provide moisture and a minimal caloric supplement. These products are appropriate as an adjunct when water intake is compromised, but they should not replace water as the primary fluid source.
Key considerations:
- Use sterile or filtered water to reduce pathogen risk.
- Maintain bottle cleanliness; sanitize weekly.
- Monitor consumption; a drop of less than 3 ml per day for an adult mouse may indicate health issues.
- Provide water in a location free from bedding or food debris to prevent contamination.
In summary, the optimal drink for a mouse is plain, fresh water, supplemented only by veterinary‑approved electrolyte solutions or hydration gels when necessary.