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I have this one! Smooth sides so they can’t climb and just enough of a lip for them to not be able to get over the top of they jump. It’s also roomy enough to sit in with them :)
Took me a while because all of the hanging bridges I could find were really spaced apart and didn’t look right for a mouse.
But then I found this bird set on Amazon.
Only have 3 of the pieces in his tank right now but there are some more in the set.
My actual enclosure is actually the dotolf and the hide chamber thing they are in right now is this niteangel peeping hide
The egg thing is indeed a water dispenser, I bought it because I don’t want my girls drinking out of their plastic water bottle all the time but unfortunately they love to immediately stuff the ceramic water dispenser full of bedding and ruin it. If you do get it for them, it’s pretty cool and has great reviews on Amazon. Just make sure you’re placing it somewhere where there is no bedding, possibly better for a wire cage that maybe has a platform with no bedding.
Dahey Drinking Water Feeder... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JDS478?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
They’re Ware (brand) dried seagrass twists. You should be able to find them at most pet stores. I got mine from PetCo. They’re also on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BYK0IZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gtKgFb40JH4QE
I got a mix from Niteangel. It was on a really good sale when I got it. Outside of that all their bedding is insanely priced. If you go to Amazon and search Cork Bedding it will come up with a bunch that aren't mixes. I haven't tried it yet tho, so I cannot recommend it personally.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0923NP9XJ?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details
please don’t but from petco or any chain pet store. as everyone else said, look on craigslist pets, facebook groups, rescues, breeders, local ethical pet shops
I'd definitely say tank. This is the one I have. I know it's pricey, but it is worth it. You can hang things from the top too. It's escape proof and safe. It's also huge. I could hand 6 easily, but I've got 4 and they have oceans of room!
Ferplast Large Plastic Cage for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs MAXI Duna Multi House for Dwarf Rabbits, Small Animals , Ventilation Grid, Transparent Roof, Grill and Plastic Bottom, 99 x 51,5 x h 36 cm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F5ZZ2R6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_8TWV7M90E73ZG33MWQAV
Do they use their wheel? That's definitely something they should be interested in. If not, maybe get a silent spinner (I think they are called), a solid plastic wheel. Some mice don't like the saucer type.
My mice really like things like this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HD9PZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Technically for birds, but they like to climb on it. They also like hanging coconut huts that are advertised for birds (or sometimes lizards). They don't play with it in the sense they swing on the little swing or anything, they 'play' by climbing and chewing. So they want lots of little places to hide in, lots of layers, etc.
Mice are huge climbers, though people don't often think of them as such, and they love to explore up. The more layers you can make, the better. You can also look for reptile hammocks, rope bridges, etc. They will chew and destroy most things like that over time, but that's what keeps them busy. You sound like you have a very good start with the ropes and such.
But actually, their running back and forth and hanging from the cage lid is also completely normal. They're going to do this no matter how much fun they have in their tank, because they're sort of exploring the "edge" of their territory, and of course new scents and such some in through the top. So you don't need to worry too much about that. :)
Suction cup hooks can be attached to the side of the glass to hang things like rope bridges across the cage! I should mention, I'm not sure if the ones I linked are good quality so maybe poke around a bit if you plan to buy online. I bought my large/medium sized ones from home Depot. I had smaller ones, but they didn't have as good of a seal.
If I recall correctly, it lasted a few weeks. I’ve also used this gel stuff that lasts 30 days;
Fresh Wave Odor Removing Gel, 7 oz. (Pack of 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IAGW86/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R64C446VJMTA72T6F5WP
Side note, if you’re brand new to mouse ownership, you’d be surprised at how used you get to the smell eventually! My first night with my male mice I had to sleep with my window open and I seriously questioned if I should return them haha. Eventually I got nose blind to them as long as the cages were cleaned regularly
And this one was my personal favorite, though a bit on the pricey size. It definitely helped tone down the smell of my stinky male mice lol
Bad Air Sponge The Original Odor Absorbing Neutralant, 14oz(Packaging May Vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LVQRVRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SM4BX593Q77FA1VDBSHT
WOWOWMEOW Small Animals Pet Playpen, Portable Pop Up Indoor/Outdoor Exercise Playpen, for Hamster, Chinchillas and Guinea-Pigs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G2YX2PZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WER24BE9JYN4CPZ2WFZ2
I feel you! I was cage shopping for a while when I finally settle down with this one . If it is available for you and in your budget I really recommend it. Definitely good for 3-5 mice. Everything else is just SO expensive and small. That’s what you get for trying to keep pets that people don’t consider as animals that deserve a good life yet.
Building a wooden also sound like a really cool idea!! It’ll be a good memory and hopefully a fun project. What ever you end up doing do share. I love seeing other people’s set up.
You are already doing so great for researching and waiting to buy a suitable cage. I definitely failed at that with my first mouse.
Hey, you can get little mini banana hammocks on Amazon. My mice were OBSESSED with them before they got too gross. Mice love soaking in their own filth....
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FHXDZ7H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_XG9NY476E8GFMWHGMY9S
There are kits that don't use ink on your pets paws. I'm not sure if it would work for a mouse but it did work for my dog. Search "Ink free paw print".
I got it from Kmart, not sure if that's a store in the US as I'm from Australia.
I did find a listing of something similar on Amazon US that is fairly similar?
This is the carrier I have for my buck, but I only have one so it's rather small. Because you have a few girls, I think the second one is a better idea! Just be careful with it since it's a soft carrier
This is the playpen I use now: OMNISAFE Upgraded Kids Ball Pit, Folding Portable Balls Pool, Baby Playpen, Play Game Fence for Indoor Outdoor, 51Inch, Oversized (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088LL7MR7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_8CySFbV957E9M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This is a playpen that also works well: Small Animals Hexagon Foldable Exercise Playpen, Guinea Pigs Portable Easy Storage Wire Yard Fence, Pet Cage Pen Ideal for Hamster, Puppy, Cat, Rabbit, Chinchillas, Hedgehogs, Outdoor/Indoor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PS83G58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_6DySFb9W3XMAD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
They have other options too but they work well for me, I just put newspaper down first in case they pee/poop (which they will)
hmmm.. I bought them at different stores over time, but yeah they are from from the same producer who makes them out of the same type of wood. I think it is Trixie!
Edit: Yeah here is some links to them from amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natural-Living-Tunnel-System/dp/B001BYHWZA
https://www.amazon.com/Trixie-Natural-Living-Birger-Playground/dp/B001BYMNFO
They are all Trixie toys.. If you read the reviews on amazon there are some complaints, if i remember correctly some complain about loose screws.. I havent had that problem though.
It's actually a tank topper for a 10gallon aquarium and it works amazing! My three girls love it but my smallest can get out through two notches at the very top so we taped them shut. This is it: Amazon Tank Topper
You can use a kitchen scale. I got this one on Amazon for about $15. I think 30 grams is about average for an adult mouse. If they are a fancy English show type mouse, they can be much bigger. But you can weigh him over a few days and write down how much he weighs - shouldn't be losing weight, generally.
Mice and other warm-blooded animals will indeed eat more to keep up their metabolism in the winter/colder weather. As long as he's not refusing treats or completely off his food, he should be OK. But that's great that you're keeping such a close eye on him!
You are doing fine.
About that 5 pack of Science Selectives...
Was it this one?
Supreme (the manufacturer) doesn't make it anymore. I emailed their customer service last fall. They apologize and said the rat formula was repackaged to say "Rat and Mouse". They claimed it is very close to the mouse formula. But the mouse formula contained pecans. This one doesn't.
The link I gave you to Petco is for the Rat and Mouse formula. You get a little over 4 lbs. for $13.99 ... when it's on sale. Chewy has it available on autoship for $12.91 or $13.59 on sale for one time purchases.
I'm conservative with feeding them pellets. The food guide says to provide 3 to 5 grams a day. But I feed them 2 pellets per mouse daily.
If I still see them in the dish or in their food stores, I skip a day. But I also supplement with a seed mix, Cheerios, granola, produce and, on occasion, cheese flavored crackers or animal crackers.
I keep it in an airtight container so it stays fresh and keeps mites and other critters out.
I'm so sorry to hear that.
This product helps slow tumor growth.
Mushroom Wisdom Maitake PET Fraction
I've used it multiple times with great success.
It's not a cure. But it gices her more quality time.
Start talking to your vet about hospice.
The vet prescribes pain medication so she can stay with her family and pass naturally when the time comes.
We sure do! The key is to make sure they love their cage. Terrence always wants to go home eventually. Here is a video of Terrence running around the floor of our bar. He has toys, tubes and boxes of screen.
If it ever becomes an issue where you are worried about Ringo escaping, you may want to try my method. I have several tanks of captured deer mice, so there's a greater chance of escaping (and a greater difficulty recapturing) than domestic mice: Besides one cage clip per tank, I place a one pound hand weight (the type that are shaped like the letter "D" - here's one example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081VQTHLH/) on the edge of the screen top on the corner above the water bottle (the most likely place they could push up on the lid). I also place a second weight on the edge of the lid in the middle of the opposite short side of the tank. This second one is placed as a combination of "extra insurance" and as a counterbalance, since not all lids are perfectly level. What I like about this method is that I only have to release a single cage clip to access the tank, the weights stay where they are and I just slide the lid back.
Make sure that any weight you use is primarily resting on the edge of the lid and the edge of the tank. You don't want a one pound weight falling through a faulty screen and injuring (and likely killing) your mice. This is why I use the D shaped weights - they stay put. I had some dumbbell shaped weights, and they were much more likely to roll off the edge (either falling off the tank or rolling on to the screen itself (again, with the risk of falling through). Also, one pound is more than adequate, anything heavier increases the risk of it falling through the screen into the tank.
I’ve been trying out this one (fibercore eco bedding) and it holds tunnels really well, my mice seem to really love it.
I originally mixed it with normal paper bedding which seemed to work pretty well but I’m currently trying it with aspen shreds and assorted other things (scraps of cardboard/paper/tissue that I give them to make little nests with).
It holds tunnels REALLY well, enough that I put my arm elbow deep into one and it kept its shape! And continued to keep its shape the several times after I put my arm into it
I got this one! Is it okay? The wheel can't be TOO big, right?
It's a lot bigger than a 10 gallon tank! It's about the size of a 40 gallon. Has a nice deep bin for adding bedding for digging, plus the bars for hanging stuff. The ladies love it, I'm sure your boy would too. It's a little pricey, but I remember getting it last year on a good sale around Black Friday.
Alright fam, I’m coming back to this. I thought at first your were perturbed at my first attempt to help but maybe you are just a dry in your responses . 😂BUT, I’ve found the answer.
Hi OP!!! I had a mouse who loved to escape, and i ended up buying these humane traps
Humane Mouse Traps 2 Pack -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MWFDCPY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
They’re a bit longer so their tails won’t get snapped in the door, you put a high value treat in it like peanut butter (they can’t actually reach the treat). The mouse crawls into the little tunnel and the door shuts behind them!! The product images are also very funny. I hope you get your little baby back!
It’s perfectly okay and it’s good that you at least are here looking for input. Even if you do research beforehand, there’s just nothing as good as experience when learning to care for an animal.
As you’ve been told, multiple males is a problem. Multiple females is fine, but males very very rarely get along, unless you neuter them. Males also smell very bad, so if I were you I would keep those boys in a room with a lot airflow lol
Wire cages are tough because the gaps need to be super small, which is not very easy to find since most cages are intended for larger rodents. I kept mine in this cage and while it’s pretty cheaply made, it got the job done and I never had an escape (but I did have to use a wrench to adjust the little tab thing on the door so that it would close more securely). But it’s probably easier to just get a tank and be done with it.
So I used a spray that says only use on reptiles for legal reasons but the ingredients are practically non toxic unless you soak the most in the stuff, it is this https://www.amazon.com/DeFlea-Reptile-Mite-Spray-8-Ounce/dp/B0002QIII8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=56343209739&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyt-ZBhCNARIsAKH1174Del_tuBwZAqDvh4A1-Y9mtLsFyq3fF41HiQ9GuEcoNUo9yCfB7gUaAkIIEALw_wcB&hvadid=617073236806&hvdev=m&am...
Here is an option, assuming the mice are unwanted.
Reptile heating pads are great for this purpose. Almost any pet store carries them (or you can buy them online). Typical cost is around $15-$25. Here's one example: Reptile Heating Pad
They stay at a temperature around 99F (37C), so there's no chance of burns. Put it under (not in, there's an electrical cord that you don't want your mouse to chew) no more than half the cage, so the mouse can choose to be above the pad or not.
Follow the instructions about allowing a bit of ventilation (even at only 99F, if no air is allowed to circulate, it can overheat). And make sure there's nothing nearby that can melt (for example soft plastic).
As long as you check them frequently (every 2-3 hours at most), good live traps are great. Here's my favorite: https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-Single-Catch-Live-Mouse/dp/B012RGN4G6/ These can't harm the mouse (they rely on gravity to close, there are no springs). The one downside is that they are opaque, so the only way to tell if there's a mouse inside a closed trap is by weight, motion, or when you open it (less of a problem for tame mice vs wild ones). I also put a piece of light colored tape on the top of the "door" - since the entire trap is black, this makes it easier to see if the trap has closed (meaning you have hopefully caught your mouse).
In the meantime, if you have a 2nd tank/cage, place it on the floor - put some of the bedding from the original cage into the 2nd one (so the cage smells famliar). Also include a water bottle/dish and some food, additional bedding and an exercise wheel. Leave the top open, and place books, boxes, etc. around the cage so the mouse can easily climb into the cage. I have caught several escaped because I heard them running in the wheel in the open cage!
Pet stores and Amazon sell grated lids for aquariums when they are used as terrariums. Petco is usually the cheapest and the quickest...just go and get it. They are kept in the reptile section. But sometimes Amazon has better deals. It depends on the size you need...
Zilla 30 X 12 inch (20 Gallon Long) tank screen
If you don't know the measurement of your tank just zoom in on the label that's on the screen in the picture.
Otherwise, I'd make a wood frame from indoor door casements and 1/8 to 1/4 inch chicken wire/garden wire using a hot glue gun, heavy duty staples, and a miter box and saw. If you own none of these things, then the terrarium screen would be cheaper.
I use two methods (together) to keep lids down (and to keep mice from escaping):
1) One pound hand weights (the type that are shaped like the letter "D". I put one on the corner of the tank directly above the water bottle (the most likely location of an escape attempt, since they can sit on top of the bottle and push up from there). I put a 2nd weight on the opposite short end of the tank in the middle of the edge. For both weights make sure you have the tank itself to support most of the weight, not the screen itself - since you don't want a one pound weight falling through the screen on top of your mouse).
Here's an example of the hand weights: Set of two hand weights (one pound each).
2) I use one cage clip near the corner where the water bottle ISN'T. More than one clip can be a pain to remove (which you need to do at least once/day). So I remove the cage clip and lift up the lid and slide it back to put in food, change the water bottle, etc.
Now the combination of hand weights and cage clips may be overkill for pet mice, but since I am often caring for wild mice (who may be more prone to try and escape), I want to make sure the lid is secure.
The only product I have read that was safe to use on mice is the Durvet Cattle Pour-On solution at the concentration of 5 mg per ml.
The paste for horses is not the same thing. It is not the correct concentration of Ivermectin. Please do not try it on your mice. Ivermectin will kill them if the right concentration and dilution is not used.
This is the correct product...
Durvet Pour-On Ivermectin for Cattle - 5 mg Ivermectin per ml
The concentration of 5 mg per ml means if you measure 1 ml of the Durvet Cattle Pour-on liquite it will contain only 5 mg of Ivermecting. That means it is already diluted enough for cattle. But mice are much smaller so the 5m per ml must be diluted further.
The document below from the Pet Mouse Fanciers website is the only instruction for using 5 mg per ml Durvet Cattle Pour-on liquid that I would trust...
Pet Mouse Fanciers - Itching, Hair Loss, and Parasites
The pour-on is also sold at Tractor Supply Stores and Farm and Fleet for $20 to $25. Call ahead to confirm it is in stock and exchange the paste for the cattle pour-on.
If you have the budget, I just discovered these wonderful glass tanks with mesh built in on the sides, not just the top screen...
[ OIIBO 60 Gallon Extra Large Glass Hamster Cage, Heightened Small Animal Cage with Double Pull Front Door & Chew-Proof Design for Hamster, Hedgehog, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Ferret, Black](https://www.amazon.com/Hamster-Heightened-Chew-Proof-Hedgehog-Chinchillas/dp/B09XGR8RD6/ref=sr\_1\_2?crid=35PA53CXI3WZN&keywords=OIIBO%2B60%2BGallon%2BExtra%2BLarge%2BGlass%2BHamster%2BCage&qid=1660642906&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=oii...)
this trap is what i bought to catch my escaped pet male mouse. lots of the reviews show it catching escaped pets such as hamsters and rats. pb and maybe a blueberry as bait, the next morning you’ll probably have him caught. release him somewhere with very little foot traffic several miles away
Oh and if after a couple days he still doesn’t come home or is too fast for you to catch, I did purchase an extra long live trap (you want it longer so it doesn’t snap their tails by accident). They actually work really good! Here’s the ones I got, but there are others too
Humane Mouse Traps 2 Pack -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MWFDCPY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I also was thinking it might be too small, I'm thinking of getting this:
https://www.amazon.com/Exotic-Nutrition-Silent-Runner-Attachment/dp/B019RH7PPE
Any thoughts?
Omgsh she’s so pretty!!! And no kidding, I got my little Pete the same size wheel that they had in a cage of 15+ mice, just for him, and it barely seems enough, so I’m so glad I didn’t go a size down. It’s also a “flying saucer” instead of an actual wheel. Entirely plastic, completely silent (so far, knock on wood) and incredibly easy to pop off and clean. Also completely blocks all his little extremities from the base connection so no risk of a tail or toe getting caught - great call out @IMDbRefugee!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Duna-Multy-Small-Animal/dp/B00NAUJIP0
this guy is 60 pounds and I'd say is the BARE MINIMUM size (and a huge upgrade from the reptile terrarium)
a 50 cm wide reptile terrarium is about half the minimum in my country.
Adjustable Rat Leash Hamster Leash with Bell Harness for Ferret Mouse Squirrel Small Animal (Random) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZNS4K39/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_C9QKKRATVWYMWTYCY4YB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 it can go small enough
This antibiotic ointment is not a prescription and worked better than the 2 my vet prescribed.
The triple antibiotic ophthalmic ointment with Nemycin can cause itching if the mouse is sensitive to it or prone to ulcerative dermatitis (uncontrollable itching).
If you're having trouble there is a really good live mouse trap on amazon, you can find it here. They work really well for catching any country mice that stray into our house! I'm sure you're mouse will turn up soon :)
If anything i would use a 20 gal, but even then that's kind of small. 10 gal is way too small, two inches of substrate because mice love to dig tunnels and stuff. Hides, toys, a wheel for excersise (preferably not the saucer one since those can cause bent spines which isnt great.) And obv a water bottle and food. I use these for water typically, and just a smaller bowl for food.
I got it as an upgrade recently from their previous one. Has a nice deep basin to put plenty of substrate in, bars for my little climber to scamper on, plus a nice second floor made of solid material for those sensitive tootsies. It also has doors in both the front and top, which is nice. I also hang tons of hammocks and bridges for them to give even more vertical space to play in.
That's small. If there's a height issue because of their other toys, you can pretty safely use an 8" disc, if they like discs. That's less height, but more floor space.
I feel like wheels are all speced for hamsters with their nub tails. I eventually just bought the biggest niteangel wheel, it's like chinchilla/rat size, but the bearings on that thing are sealed and seem industrial-grade, it operates so smoothly the increased mass won't prevent even a tiny mouse from using it. Bigger also means more space on the inside to spread out all the pee and poo that's inevitably going to result from excited running rodents, so it takes longer to get gross, that was an unexpected perk.
One of these:
Thank you. Is their a specific model? I see this one but it has a plastic bump instead of the visible gear yours has: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FC82C98/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_WD8FK796T0ZXCFN9GZQ0
Get them into a hospital cage. They could be in respiratory distress. Not the same as a uri. It just means they are having trouble breathing in your current set up. They need a cage with bars for recovery purposes. A critter trail with the tubes removed will do until they recover. Get them some electrolytes. Pedialite unflavored should do. Leave it in their bottle for 3 days. They could be allergic to the bedding you’re using. What kind is it? Is it dust free? I recommend opting for this cage (Favola Hamster Cage Includes Free Water Bottle, Exercise Wheel, Food Dish & Hamster Hide-Out Large Hamster Cage Measures 23.6L x 14.4W x 11.8H-Inches & Includes 1-Year Manufacturer's Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0133LNVAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_0NG3JT3VC5V1B687MN58 ) with the level removed and carefresh 99% dust free paper bedding for their quarentine period (three weeks). What’s your current enclosure look like? Is it a tank? If it’s a tall instead of a long I recommend getting a long instead of a tall because the tall is too tall for good ventilation. I just went through this a couple weeks ago and this is what my vet recommended. Good luck.
I’ve heard of buying one of those mini marble slabs so they can cool down by laying on it?
The size isn’t an issue , no such thing as to big unless they can turn it. Sometimes large wheels can be hard for small rodents to turn.
8 - 10 inches is the minimum , I prefer 10 inch wheels. But 12 if you have the room and they can turn it is absolutely fine !
But the material isn’t appropriate! You want solid surface , no bars or mesh. Their little feet can get stuck and broke. Theirs a condition called bumble foot which is very painful. So you want a solid surface wheel !
i personally love this NiteAngel wheel ! for a recommendation for you , it is very silent and good quality ! The small is 8 inch , the medium is 10 inch. I have a medium one for my boi ! Also have a small that was his old wheel lol.
I do believe the large is 12 inches.
i currently have pet mice and gerbils and mice are (in my experience) way less prone to biting than gerbils. Gerbils usually will nip people out of curiosity , it can be a way of saying hi and if a gerbil is in a bad mood they will bite. It is extremely rare for a fancy mouse to bite at least in my experience. mice do have a strong smell, especially males but the food Mazuri Mouse blocks has yucca in it which helps control the smell for sure! just mix it with a commercial mouse food mix for nutrion :) Kaytee has a small-animal safe fragence spray as well that usually helps. cleaning their wheel everyday is a super good idea cause usually that's where most of the waste will be
mice do best in groups of 2 or 3 or more if you have the room
tanks or some cages can work for mice. I keep my girls in this : https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-CritterTrail-Super-Habitat-Animals/dp/B07DXWPG6C/ref
it has 540 square inches of floor space and you can add a lot of accessories! personally, I love this thing. you could even attach more cages to it. i know some people have issues with crittertrails but my mice have always loved the larger critter trail cages and running through all the tunnels.
i hope this helped! for a younger child I would recommend mice, I think their temperament is calmer than most gerbils. My gerbils are tame now, but it took time and patience and it's hard work. Then again some of my were in bad situations before they came to me so it took longer than usual for them to be tamed
There is a genetic component to allergies for sure. I actually had a girl who had four babes who all have an allergy of some kind. For one of her babes, it's severe enough she will have attacks occasionally if I am not really careful to not disturb bedding in her enclosure.
It seems like you're doing exactly right with figuring out what's going on. I've tried a million paper beddings to find the least dusty too including UBER. If you are interested in trying one more, i use Pet Select. The unbleached white is, in my opinion, the least dusty paper bedding I've ever tried and is soft and pliant. It may not work best for you, but it has done wonders for Zinnia.
This sounds like exactly what you’re looking for! Niteangel can be a tad pricey at times but they have unbeatable quality and truly put so much thought into all their products.
Im honestly not sure, but can i recommend you instead use the water bottles marketed for birds (something like this ) They dont have the ball like hamster style bottles, but they dont have as wide an entrance as a bowl so your mice wont poop/otherwise contaminate their water. You can usually pick them up at a pet store or walmart for around 10$ :)
I used to use an insect/reptile small cage thing that I bought for less than $10, something like this: https://www.chewy.com/exo-terra-faunarium-terrarium/dp/191191?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Exo%20Terra&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAiA24SPBhB0EiwAjBgkhkWe-GgCocSF89z_NheO01GFvhoyNF_QRHUrvmuKPDvt...
It was portable, cheap, and perfect for putting in bedding and getting the girls to and from the vet.
take a look into bin cages if you think it would benefit you! they are usually much cheaper for their size than tanks. it’s just buying a big bin from any store and converting it to a mouse enclosure. I use a 10 inch niteangel wheel that my mouse loves. any of the recycling in my house (cardboard boxes, toilet paper tubes, Kleenex boxes, etc) goes into his house to use as structures and hides. they like to have a ton of bedding(I second aspen) and a ton of stuff to do in their enclosures. also, since he’s a boy mouse living alone interaction and handling with you would be beneficial to him. you can take him out in a bathtub or something similar, but I got this pen: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6PVLB7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VHRN418H590Y8MMBTN36?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
speed wagon is super cute!
I use this bowl and it has never tipped on me! maybe if you arent already, fill the bowl as high as you can and they wont be able to tip it. Mice can be very mischievous ;)
This is the kind of box you'll want to use to keep the kits from getting out: https://snipboard.io/olcLst.jpg
That's from the Breeding Packet on the Mouse Fanciers Forum, which contains a ton of information on breeding: https://www.petmousefanciers.com/t43-breeding-packet
Hey, tried looking everywhere but couldnt find. Please chec this image (yellow part in the middle) is what always breaks: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Hamster-Roll-Rolly-Wheel-Diameter/dp/B000LXW784/ref=sr\_1\_16?crid=LQK6IQB16I4Z&keywords=hamsterrad&qid=1640544514&sprefix=hamster+wheel%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-16
I'm not anywhere near you so I can't help with transportation.
But I can give advice on how to transport them. you should have a carrier that's made of solid, hard plastic with very small holes for ventilation. I like the Living World carrier because the ventilation holes are the petfect size to prevent escapes. There are other brands of similar carriers, this is just the only one I know of off the top of my head.
Then, have the bottom lined with some of the same bedding that will be in their cage, a small lightweight but opaque hide and some high water content veggie slices like cucumber.
These are awesome and so adorable, the only issue is they stick SO well they’re pretty much impossible to reposition once they’re down.
They’re a bit pricey but I can’t recommend Niteangel Super Silent Wheels enough! They’re very very sturdy, easy to clean, and they ARE truly silent. The medium size works great for my smaller mice and the large is good for my bigger boy. (When if doubt, I always say get the biggest that fits!!) The medium fits in 10 gallon tanks and the large fits in a 20 gallon long.
short answer yes, male mice need to be kept alone. there is however one alternative asf (african soft fur rats) you could get a female & house her with your male (mice can not breed with these) but other than that males are okay alone This link gives more info on males
No, mice rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate. Putting them in a ball will just stress them out. Would highly recommend getting or making a playpen to give them a place to explore outside of their cage. Something like this, or you can make one out of cardboard.
That tank is gonna be a dream for a male mouse !!!
Get some bedding , Aspen and scent free paper bedding ! Mix them together and make sure you have 6 or more inches of bedding !! You can slope it and stuff. But make sure atleast 1 area of the tank has 6 inches. More in possible !!
Get a 10” solid surface wheel this wheel is my favorite! medium is 10 inches
Then get lots of SAFE decorations. Like wooden houses, cardboard tunnels, bridges etc. also put legs or pedestals under decorations that could fall if they burrowed under them. Make the items have legs that reach the bottom of the tank. This prevents causalities.
Avoid anything with cotton ! If a tunnel or toy had cotton “nesting material” toss it. Don’t use cotton as a nesting material. Use toilet paper , And timothy hay.
Also get like ropes and hammocks ! You can make a custom lid with mesh for this. Or you can get suction cups with hooks and hang them up like that !
But a mouses cage needs to be crowded !! this is a good video it’s just shows how crowded a mouse cage needs to be ! Obviously that cage in the video is a lot larger than your cage. But just to show you the crowding that needs to be in a mouses cage.
Hope this helps !
Bird toys work, as well as small rodent toys. Fish decorations with hollow insides can make for some cool hides. Mice love ladders and ropes... anything they can climb. I usually tie some jute rope to the high points in my tank. They'll chew through it eventually, but jute is safe for them. :)
Something I like to do is hide food in toilet paper rolls and stuff both ends with bedding and toilet paper. It encourages foraging behavior, and they'll have a blast digging it all out. Tissue paper also works. :)
For now, a great little hide you can add at first is one of your used socks (something old with holes works great). Not only is it a great little hide that you don't have to spend money on, they'll learn to associate your smell with being safe and secure. :) It's a good way to get your mice used to your scent.
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I found this recently and Hammond LOVES it. Just pop out the glass and flip it over. Boom. Giant, cheap hide with a ton of twists and corners. It's also flat so it's a great surface to slap a wheel on top of. I hide a bunch of food underneath it, and he has so much fun digging it out.
I'd also add a bit more bedding, as they like to burrow. I mix paper bedding with aspen chips. I find that aspen is a lot better at reducing the smell and it absorbs a lot more. The paper is just nice because mice like to build nests out of it. I also mix in a bit of food grade diatomaceous earth just to ward away mites. It's cheap and safe for them.
Enjoy your new little friends! :)
yeah after learning about rats i was starting to get the feeling that it might not be as humane as i thought. i was never sure if those snap kill traps were painless so i didn’t want to switch. unfortunately i think i will have to switch to kill traps because its always just one or two little guys, so i’ll have no friends to release them with. i’ve only had one infestation and it was shrews like 8 years ago. i just get a couple house and deer mice in the kitchen attacking my bagels in the winter. this is the second one i’ve caught this year. i always release them in the same spot far from houses where i’ve seen mouse tunnels in the grass.
its this one https://www.amazon.com/Release-Outdoor-Mousetrap-Catcher-Capture/dp/B07PDPVZBP the traps are in my kitchen and i can hear the trap engaging from my room and i make the ~~apparent death trap~~ mouse hotel and move them there immediately. i usually put 3-5 inches of substrate. i couple times i’ve put a hide but since they never seem to have moved or used them i stopped. i put them in a part of the house that is never used to avoid contamination of furniture and food with particles and it does get colder there, i suppose thats probably it. :( i was raised to think rodents were extremely hardy and difficult to kill so it didn’t occur to me until recently after researching them, just how fragile and sensitive they actually are. luckily this guy didn’t have nipples so i haven’t doomed any babies.
thanks so much for the detailed advice! theres not much info i’ve found on what to do with caught mice so i really appreciate it. if i ever have another infestation i’ll be sure to follow your instructions :)
I am sorry. I did that Oxford for a time but my mice seem to be diarrhea a lot so I changed it to a seed mix kind. They like better Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix 2lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF2IRH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_J5WK86QFHXSN0M3ACPXS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I've had my mice since May this year and they are still very timid with me! Don't feel like you are doing something wrong, it takes a lot of patience and time. As long as they have friends and lots to do, they are very happy! Popcorning is a great sign of this! I agree with /u/The_Genesis_Apple though, mice love to run in wheels and they can run crazy fast, sometimes too fast for their own good and they flop off.
Silent Wheel may be a good bet but don't get the silent spinner! I've bought two and they break easy and stay in one piece with duck tape now :)
If you are looking for something similar to free roaming, I got this for our mice, super fun cuz it was big enough we could sit in there with them while they ran around. We filled it with cardboard boxes and toys to make a mouse city https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9YVJTP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FSWN3XKRA3JEPTG14SYX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 (Or look up small animal play pen)
I would do the same. Watch his behavior too. Is he eating, grooming, sleeping, and playing as usual.
I keep urine test strips that detect all sorts of things including blood. Here are some available on Amazon...
But I've seen them at drug and health food stores too. The human ones should work just as well as those for pets.
I let the mouse walk around in a clean plastic container with no bedding until I see a urine trail.
Give them a treat or toy to focus on and keep them company. It won't take long. Mice, especially males, mark any territory that doesn't have their scent.
Then I press the strip where the test block I need is located into the urine trail, wait and compare the block on the strip to the matching block on the bottles label.
Yo so on Amazon, they have these really cheap wooden labyrinths. Some of them you can adjust, some of them are just one path. You can pop the glass out and flip them over. Becomes a really fun hide, especially if you hide food in there. Then, you also have a flat surface to throw your wheel on and anything else that needs a flat surface. I've got this one in my tank.
Other than that, they love bird toys. Especially ladders or anything else they can climb. Fish hides are also good for them. Cardboard drink holders as well (like the ones you get from Starbucks). Pinecones are good if you soak them in vinegar water and bake them. Just make sure they're the right kind of pinecone (big, hard, outward scales. Not the tightly picked soft scales)
I threw some of my used socks in my tank. Great soft hide, and it gets them to associate your smell with being warm and safe.
They love digging treats out of cardboard tubes if you pack tissue paper or toilet paper in both ends. Good stimulation that encourages natural behavior.
Have fun with your new friends!! :D They cuties.
I have two saucers that I put on a shelf in their cage, and I have slate coasters that I place on them to hold them down. I stack two on each saucer.
I chose coasters because they fit perfectly on the legs of the saucer without hitting the disc part, and I picked slate because it's heavier and easy to clean.
My girls run all night and the saucers don't move. :)
I bought these, but I'm sure other kinds would work as well: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V541D45
FYI - one thing to keep in mind with slate is that it can chip and get a sharp edge, I had to gently sand a corner on one coaster just to be safe.
Yes sorry the orientation is 90° out. The “bowl” is a wood wheel and the back baby is climbing on a hanging frame that I’ve cut a shelf around.
The camera is just a simple home security number with 3 IR lights.
TP-Link Tapo Mini Smart Security Camera, Indoor CCTV, Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, 1080p, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, SD Storage, Device Sharing (Tapo C100) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083GGLKSJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7CPR6HTEKTDKBS8DETKE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I bought this because of its extra length, I have pet mice and I didn’t want their tails getting snapped. One of mine is a trouble maker who always gets out, and the longest she was gone was a whole month! We got the trap to make sure she gets back home as soon as possible. This thing works wonders!
Humane Mouse Traps 2 Pack -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MWFDCPY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Maybe try a different food. I tried that for my mouse is so messy. I traded Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix 2lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF2IRH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0Z83V72SJ15365JB4S4H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 This seem to be great my mice love it. Worth a try.
I know I'm going to get jumped on about this but some mesh wheels (not wire) are fine for mice.
No mesh wheel is safe for hamsters. Know that the two species run differently due to the difference in their anatomy and instincts. Mice are more agile than hamsters and can navigate the mesh.
Mesh will not cause bumblefoot unless the animal spends all it's time walking on it as in some rat cages.
This is the wheel I have in all of 9 habitats...
Preview EZ Roller 8" Mesh Wheel
I have kept mice for almost 7 years now. I never had an injury using this wheel or Petsmart version that is no longer available.
I'm not saying an injury can't happen. But as with any pet exercise equipment, there is always a risk.
Also, you can cover both sides of the mesh with duct tape. It acts as a cushion. You can wash the tape but you should replace it if it starts to fray along the edges.
Keep food and water out as long as possible. Count how many pieces of food you put out. If some goes missing, someone is eating it.
Don't forget about outside and the garage too. Look up release boxes or safety boxes for releasing wild animals like mice and chipmunks. You want to provide shelter and food in setting that will withstand rain or snow.
Place the release box near a door alon the wall behind a bush or large planter.
Keep doing the thing I posted earlier about staying quiet and listening for the mouse.
Don't forget about buying a few traps baited with a favorite treat and a slice of cucumber. I've used both of these and they work well. Place them along the baseboard of a wall. Especially in places where you seen droppings or you've noticed the food you put out has been eaten.
Put lightly soiled bedding in the trap too.
[Victor Multiple Catch Humane Outdoor and Indoor Mouse Trap](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Victor-Multiple-Catch-Humane-Outdoor-and-Indoor-Mouse-Trap-M333/202668291 SKU# 202668291
)
If it is Ulcerative Dermatitis (UD), the vet can give her a steroid shot when you take her back.
I'm glad she gave you the Baytril and the Metacam. The Metacam will help with inflammation and pain. But it may not stop the urge to scratch.
What will help is a mixture of 100% colloidal oatmeal powder and cool water. I swear by this for mice with UD...and people for mosquito bites and eczema.
Walmart carries Aveeno and a generic. One box contains 4 or 6 packets. You'll only use about a 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of powder so have a ziplock ready for the rest of the packet.
Here's what you need
1 packet of 100% Colloidal Oatmeal (must have only 1 ingredient).
2 tablespoons cool water (not cold)
1 ziplock bag
1 small plastic container with a lid (1 to 2 oz.)
Mix 2 tablespoons of cool water with 1/4 teaspoon of powder in a 1 or 2 oz. plastic container with a lid.
Test mixture. It must feel slightly silky buy not goop. Add more oatmeal or water to get it right. It should be closer to the texture of milk.
Once it feels right, put the lid on and shake it well.
Dab on thei mxture with a clean finger to the affected areas. Apply a few times so a film builds up.
Do not rinse. The film will soothe the skin, help it heal and stop the itching for about 2 to 4 hours.
Reserve the remaining mixture for up to 24 hours in the fridge. It will thicken so you may need to mix a new batch sooner than 24 hours. When it's thick, the mixture doesn't soak into the skin well.
I try to apply it at least 3 times a day.
This also works for people too for mosquito bites and eczema.
This is the correct product...
Aveeno Oatmeal Bath 100% Colloidal Oatmeal
Do not buy the baby bath because it contains fragrance and other ingredients. You want 100% Colloidal Oatmeal...that's it.
You can get a playpen like this one or make your own with cardboard and duct tape. Or you could lay down a towel in your bathtub and handle her in there.
Yes furplast maxi Duna.
Ferplast Large Plastic Cage for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs MAXI Duna Multi House for Dwarf Rabbits, Small Animals , Ventilation Grid, Transparent Roof, Grill and Plastic Bottom, 99 x 51,5 x h 36 cm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F5ZZ2R6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_WZMPXPTFD1PKPCAB3TGH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It's brilliant as the top is small and they cannot get out!
Wasn't cheap but worth every penny!
Our bottle has a sliding nub that works like the ball but it's much quieter because it doesn't roll. I can make it make a small sound of I really go at it but it's never made a sound when the girls use it.
Look at getting a reptile heating mat. I used one when caring for orphan baby mice.
Here's one example (there are literally HUNDREDS available): reptile heating mat They are designed to generate a low heat (those with controllers typically have a maximum of 108ºF, but you probably want to keep it below 100ºF for your mice) and are often left on 24/7.
You need to make sure they are "installed" properly: Place it outside the cage (so they can't chew anything and get electrocuted). Also, if I remember correctly (I haven't used one since February 2020), if placed under the cage you need to make sure there is space below the mat to prevent overheating (there needs to be some air circulating), and only use it to heat up a portion of their cage (so the mice can choose to lay above the heated area or not). From what I have read, the best models are ones that have controllers/thermostats that allow you to more precisely control the temperature.
For more detailed advice and the most reliable brands, you should go to one of the reptile channels on reddit (there are many), since some people there will be very familiar with the products and the best way to use them.
You could also get advice from a pet store, but if so, I would recommend you find a store that specializes in reptiles. Your typical PetCo or PetsMart employee isn't going to know anything other than that they carry a few types of heaters.
What are you feeding them diet wise? I feed these two Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix 2lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF2IRH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TGETKFEEDS1187CRB74R
I noticed my babies poop was is better on this one then
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food - All Natural Adult Rat Food https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GABM1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Z3X3E5RGHQGH6GQVZ9TK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 this one . So I mix them both are pretty great food.
Lots of love and good food like oxbow rat food, Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food - All Natural Adult Rat Food https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GABM1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XPXQJ2BDT59S1MXRFCVB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix 2lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF2IRH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZQ4YNXYB924907WG80BM?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Both of these are great food. Maybe a vet visit. She will need a friend so she not lonely
my mice had skin issues as well and i used this on them, it helped immensely!
sorry for the ugly link idk how formatting works on reddit (': https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OLUTA6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_72KKWV3GXT97PM5HECJK
Saucers are okay. But up right wheels are definitely best ! Atleast an 8” wheel. But larger like 10-11” is also wonderful if you can get that ! I use this wheel (small is 8”) for my male. super silent and sturdy !
But any solid surface wheel that is atleast 8 inches is appropriate! Larger is better if you can !
Oxbow rat food Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food - All Natural Adult Rat Food https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GABM1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_027PZHA8M4GWCDGYG96E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
and Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Reggie Rat and Mimi Mouse Tasty Mix 2lb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VF2IRH0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3D2TY73DMS8E1FX3G2MH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I like this as well. I give both to them to eat .
Awe ! Congrats on the upgrade !
But a few tips , fill up the pan as much as you can with bedding! They need a lot of bedding they love to borrow ! ( I saw you said you ran out of bedding, but when you get more make sure it’s filled !) also if you have toilet paper you can give them some. And they will use it as nesting material. It’s adorable to watch them collect it all.
Also that wheel looks way to small. If you want a saucer atleast a 6 inch(which is still small, but the biggest a saucer comes in that I know that isn’t 12inch) but if you have a saucer I recommend having a normal standing wheel also so they have options. But since you have a group you do want multiple wheels anyway! So you want atleast an 8 inch standing wheel. I absolutely love this wheel ! it’s super silent and comes in tons of colors ! This video she goes over some wheel brands she’s used and then shows the wheel I linked !