Which statement is correct regarding feeding very young opossums?

• A. The easiest and best method is stomach tube-feeding (gavage).
• B. The most effective method is feeding by bottle with a large nipple while the animal is on its back.
• C. The preferred approach is hand feeding in a loud, bright area.
• D. Feeding should be avoided entirely until the eyes open.

Answer: (A)

Feeding newborn opossums requires delivering a precise, controlled amount of nutrition with minimal stress and a low risk of aspiration. Stomach tube feeding (gavage) accomplishes this best because it allows you to deliver exact volumes of warm, species-appropriate formula directly into the stomach, which is crucial for tiny marsupial neonates whose suckling can be unreliable. With gavage, you control how much each animal gets at each feeding and reduce the chance of air swallowing or formula entering the airway, both of which can happen with bottle feeding.

Bottle feeding with a large nipple while the animal is on its back increases the risk of misdirected flow, regurgitation, and aspiration. The mouth of a neonate is very small, and a large nipple can overwhelm it, making it hard to regulate intake. Feeding in a loud, bright area is stressful for a neonate and can elevate respiration and agitation, further increasing the risk of aspiration and poor digestion.

It’s also important to note that neonates need nutrition before their eyes are open; delaying feeding until eye opening is inappropriate. Provide warmth, gentle handling, and a calm environment, and use a method that delivers nutrition safely and predictably—gavage—under proper training and protocol.