2. Feed him kitten/puppy formula milk. This is the powdered type which you make up with cooled boiled water (they prefer it warm!). The best thing to use to feed mouselings is an eye dropper or similar, but if this doesn't work you could try the tip of a fine paintbrush, or even let the mouseling lick the milk from your finger. If possible try to feed him hourly during the day and two hourly during the night. To feed him he may be a bit wriggly so try wrapping him in a tissue. This will also mop up the spills and make him feel more secure.
3. If you cannot feed him as regularly as hourly or two hourly during the night, try leaving a small piece of stale bread soaked in the formula milk in his cage. Introduce him to it before you leave and hopefully he will recognise the smell and seek it out when he gets hungry.
4. After feeding him rub his tummy and rear end with a damp cotton wool ball to stimulate his bowels. This is what his mother would have done, and without it he may not survive as his bowels will not work unless stimulated.
5. Leave some solid food in his cage for when he opens his eyes and starts to seek food. Good 'weaning' foods are hamster yoghurt drops and soft muesli (ie, Alpen) mixed with his formula milk. Also leave some ordinary mouse/hamster dry food - nuts and toast are good things to keep in the cage to tempt him onto solid food! As soon as he discovers solid food he will put on weight quickly and most of the battle is over! The formula milk should be continued until he is at least 3-4 weeks old, although less often.
6. One more thing - if you only have one mouseling it may be worth putting a small toy in the cage, such as a cat's toy mouse. This may sound silly but it really will make the mouseling more secure and less afraid!
