How to know if you've overheated a prey item?

[tttaylorrr]

I use the "water" method. However, I don't use HOT water right away.
I put them into COLD water to defrost.

Putting the frozen rodent into HOT water weakens the cell structure even more, and you run the risk of a feeder that is mushy, or hot on the outside while cold on the inside (or even frozen still)

this is something i forgot to mention that is definitely important. do not use hot water right away, start with cooler water then replace with warm water.