Guide to Gavage Needle Size Selection

Selecting the right gavage needle is essential for successful and humane oral dosing procedures in laboratory animals. The correct size and type of feeding needle ensures efficient delivery of test compounds while minimising stress or injury to the subject. At Onyx Fine Instruments, we offer both reusable stainless steel and single-use flexible plastic gavage needles, designed to meet the varied needs of researchers working across pharmacology, toxicology, and biomedical fields.

Stainless Steel Reusable Gavage Needles

Our stainless steel needles are crafted with precision using high-grade 304 stainless steel tubing and ball tips. These are recommended for use in intra-cardiac perfusion and other sensitive procedures where minimising trauma is essential. Their rigid design makes them ideal for users comfortable with a consistent angle of insertion, and they are suitable for multiple animal sizes depending on gauge and length.

Disposable PTFE & Teflon Gavage Needles

Designed with animal welfare in mind, our PTFE and Teflon feeding needles are ideal for researchers needing a single-use, flexible solution. These tubes reduce the risk of perforation and incorrect placement thanks to their pliable design and soft silicone tips. Particularly recommended for rodents, these disposable options reduce cleaning requirements and remove the possibility of compound crossover.

Why Choose Flexible Needles?

• Reduced risk of trauma and organ perforation

• Disposable = no cleaning = no cross-contamination

• Recommended for critical welfare-sensitive studies

Size Selection Made Simple

Below is a general guide for selecting the appropriate size of feeding needle depending on the animal model and weight category. Whether you're working with mouse pups, guinea pigs, or large rats, this reference will help guide you to the right match.

Need help with size selection or placing an order?

Browse our range of reusable and disposable gavage needles or speak to our team for advice on refining your dosing procedure.

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