Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Anyone had a pet mouse. Advice needed

22 replies

SnailMailFan · 23/08/2018 16:18

I originally posted this in the pet section but no ones replied.

My daughters friend bought a mouse in a pet shop because it was labelled snake food to rescue him), but when she got home she didn’t want it, so my daughter said she’d take him. She’s not allowed pets where she lives, and has regular inspections, so last night he (?) came to live with me. I’ve had lots of small pets, but never a mouse, so would love advice. I’ve bought him a three story cage with narrow bars. It has a little house in. He has sawdust and bedding but no toys. I’ve been reading and learned that they like to live in groups. Is it ok to buy from a different litter? Would it matter that he’s approximately 2 weeks older? I’ve been told he’s a boy, but how do I check? Is there anything that mice like to play with? The cage came with a wheel, but my daughter said he was scared of it, so she threw it away. Do they like balls, like hamsters? Are they nocturnal? Daughter says he seems to prefer the dark. I just want to give him a happy life, after a rubbish start.

Please don’t slate me for getting a pet before researching. I’m reading things online but thought someone might have some advice for me.

OP posts:

gandalf456 · 23/08/2018 16:22

I used to keep mice as a child and they're quite similar to hamsters and other rodents. Mine were girls from different litters and got on great and the liked the wheels. To check the sex, look under the tail . Males have a bigger bulge but it's best to google that for diagrams. You don't want to get that wrong!

hugoagogo · 23/08/2018 16:25

I had mice a long time a go. I remember having to split them up as they were fighting. I think they were both boys too.
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

hugoagogo · 23/08/2018 16:27

Also try posting in 'small furries' or whatever the pet board is now called.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Other pets & animals

firehousedog1 · 23/08/2018 16:31

Can boy mice cohabit? It seems a shame he is on his own

GooodMythicalMorning · 23/08/2018 16:34

I had 2 males and they got on fine. I got them at the same time though. I'd get him checked again to make sure it's definitely a boy before you get another as they can breed really quickly.

midgesforever · 23/08/2018 16:42

We had to separate our two boy mice as they started fighting. I would put a solid wheel back in his cage, our use theirs all the time. They can be tamed easily using food rewards to come to you. Google the foods they can eat, they like little fruit treats. They are semi nocturnal, the morning or the evening are their most active times. They get poorly if they get too cold. Sawdust is not usually recommended for them, you can buy shredded paper. We put kitchen rolls in sometimes for them to run through.

Soubriquet · 23/08/2018 16:48

Yes definitely check he's male and then get him a friend

Introduce them into neutral territory like your bathtub. Just make sure the plug is in.

Make sure the bars are definitely small enough. They can get through holes the size of a pencil

Yes to wheels no to hamster balls. Make sure it's a solid wheel and not a barred one.

Food wise, scatter some in the substrate as a way to keep them entertained.

CherryChatsworth · 23/08/2018 16:51

They smell! Sorry that's not helpful but they do stink. It's the wee

hugoagogo · 23/08/2018 17:32

Yes they can get stinky- you just need to clean them out every day.

LadyDeadpool · 23/08/2018 17:45

If he's a boy do not get another one, they will fight to the death.

LadyDeadpool · 23/08/2018 17:49

He's going to want lots of tunnels and climbing toys, they can be successfully tamed when handled lots, Lots of substrate in the bottom of the cage for digging but seriously please do not get another one if he's male just google keeping male mice together and you'll be able to read the many awful stories from experienced keepers who have had it go horribly wrong. They're too territorial to be kept together.

CoshPunt · 23/08/2018 17:55

I breed mice. If he's male (they have very obvious testicles) definitely don't get him a friend - they will fight and it can be fatal and very vicious. Females are completely different and MUST be kept in pairs or more. If desperate for company for him, you can get him neutered but it'll be 6 weeks before he is properly infertile and there's a rather high risk he could die during the snip. It's your choice, but he'll be fine alone.

No to hamster balls. Wheels are good - the flying saucer ones are best as they don't cause the tails to bend over their backs when in use. Lots of tunnels, hay can be good. Toilet paper tubes are the best as they'll chew little windows in them. Lots of scrap cardboard is great as they'll shred them or use them as houses, and it's an incredibly cheap way to entertain them.

Original poster

SnailMailFan · 23/08/2018 18:08

Right, definitely no other mice. Ive kept Syrian hamsters before and they like to be alone too.

The cage ive got him does have narrow bars, and three levels but its not very big at all. Are the tank kind better? This cage is going to be an absolute bastard to clean out, as it came flat packed, and you don’t seem to be able to take it apart easily (theres a door to put food in etc, but for daily cleaning its going go be awful? Theres no room in there for tunnels etc. I’m going to have to get a new one aren’t I? This little mouse is going to cost me a fortune!!

Hes very very shy, is this normal?

OP posts:

CoshPunt · 23/08/2018 18:13

I personally like cages like the Mini Duna which would be suitable for him on his own as they can't shove substrate outside the cage as the bars are on the top. A lot of people make cages out of plastic storage boxes too. They're really easy to clean.

It's normal for him to be shy, he'll likely take a while to warm up to you. You can keep putting your hand in the cage and bring little treats to get him used to you. My mice go crazy for mealworms, sunflower seeds and peanut butter. All in moderation of course!

Original poster

SnailMailFan · 23/08/2018 18:41

Thankyou all for your advice. Im pretty sure I have mealworms, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds. Me and Zeus are going to be great friends (hopefully).

Had a look at the mini duna at pets at home, but its the pinkest thing Ive ever seen, www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/pets/rosewood-silver-abode. What do you think of this one.

OP posts:

Original poster

SnailMailFan · 23/08/2018 18:43

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/ferplast-mini-duna-space-dwarf-hamster-and-mouse-cage

It is cute, and my daughters would have loved it when they were little, but Zeus might feel self conscious if his hideaway had fairy wings

OP posts:

WilburIsSomePig · 23/08/2018 18:48

Aw OP, I love that you're so keen to give this little fella a lovely life. Have you given him a name yet?

WilburIsSomePig · 23/08/2018 18:48

Oh I see you've called him Zeus! Lovely. 😊

BambooWhoosh · 23/08/2018 18:53

I kept mice as pets some years ago. The following website is quite old but has a lot of information on it especially regarding diet and introducing other mice.

www.allaboutmice.co.uk/info/

Frazzled2207 · 23/08/2018 18:55

Know nothing about mice 🐁 but well done you for taking him in

Fluffybat · 23/08/2018 20:46

I used to have mice. Fab pets 😃 lots of cardboard tubes and chew toys etc. Enjoy your new furry friend

Original poster

SnailMailFan · 24/08/2018 00:50

My daughter chose the name Zeus! I thought he looked more like an Eric, but no, hes Zeus! I’ve ordered his a lovely new cage, which seems ridiculous when I only bought him the other one last week, but its not very big, and hard to clean, and we have an ancient, partially sighted cat. I don’t want to take any risks. I’ll freecycle the other cage, someone will be able to make use of it.

Thank you so much for your advice everyone, and for not judging me. I get really angry when people don’t care enough about animals to find out how to care for them. Every pet we have and have ever had was second hand.

The picture is Zeus the day my daughter got him. Hes in a lunchbox or something.

OP posts:

Flip