Teat Selection: The teat should resemble the mother’s size and shape to ensure mouth comfort, fit and correct tooth eruption.

There is no hole in the teats, so the carer needs to make a hole to suit the animal being fed. Pierce the tip of the teat with a hot needle to make a hole about 1 mm in diameter, or for large animals, cut a hole with scissors. If the hole is too small, excessive sucking will quickly weaken the tip and the end will blow out. If this is happening, then the hole is too small for the animal. Make a larger hole. The hole should be large enough for milk to drip out slowly, when the bottle is inverted.

Feeding technique: Small animals can be fed using a syringe with a teat pulled over the end, to give greater control of milk flow with the plunger. Guidance should be obtained from experienced carers on correct feeding technique for different animals.

Care and storage: Latex is a natural product. Deterioration can be slowed by storing teats in a dry place away from light. An opaque, airtight container should be used. Immediately after use, teats should be washed in warm soapy water, dried and stored as above. Some carers sterilise by boiling or with infant sterilising solutions.