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At What Age Can Mice Start Eating Solids?

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For the first few weeks of life, baby mice are totally dependent upon their mother for nourishment through her milk. If you're raising an orphan mouse, you'll need to feed the mouse diluted kitten formula every hour or two until his eyes are open at around 2 1/2 weeks. Whether mom-fed or hand-raised, baby mice will be ready to nibble on a few solid foods from the time their eyes open until they are completely weaned at 4 weeks old.

Bringing Up Baby

Moisten commercial hamster food, cooked rice or kitten food with a little water, goat milk or kitten formula until it is soft. Baby mice also enjoy peeled cooked peas, cooked carrots, squash or other soft vegetables. Human baby food is suitable for mice and will be easy on your mouse's stomach. By 4 weeks old, mice raised by Mom will usually be fully weaned. Orphaned mice will usually take one to two weeks longer until they are ready to take 100 percent of their diet from solid food.