Pounding too large a prey can lead to health issues. I've always been a proponent of feeding smaller prey, just feed more often. I'm not saying the mouse/rat should be really small, I just don't believe in pounding the snake with prey that is difficult to eat. I've got friends that are big time breaders that pound their snakes with large meals twice a week. They do this to get the snake to the size where they can be bred, but in my opinion, if it's just a pet, smaller is better.

Just one man's opinion.
Jim Smith