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Adopting mice as pets is a big moment for everyone. Although it does not have the same requirements as a cat or dog, they are not just a walk in the park. You should consider factors such as their diet, which cage to buy, and what health issues to consider. You also need to decide how many mice you want and whether you plan to breed them or just add a new companion to your home.
Here are some things you should know about pet mouse care.
1. Choose a mouse species
Each mouse species is not intended as a pet. Fancy mice are the most common type you’ll find in stores, but they’re the closest thing to a house mouse. Which pet mice are available depends mainly on where you live, and they are easily identified by their fur, eye color and other physical characteristics.
For example, the Agouti mouse comes in many different colors, but the most common is a warm chestnut brown shade. However, blue agouti have black eyes with a slate blue tint to their fur. Mice without this black fur tick are called self mice, and they can be found in black, brown, blue, white, and even lilac.
The care and longevity of the mouse species do not differ much, so the species only determines how you want your mouse to look.
2. Diet
Mice are unique in that they are omnivores, rather than simply eating a herbivorous diet. When caring for your pet, you should choose a combination of protein, vegetables, store-bought mouse food, and treats to eat.
Store-bought food provides your pet mouse with grains, which are a necessary source of fiber. The food may also contain proteins and products mixed in it. Still, it is necessary to add separate fruits and vegetables to the diet. Mice like to eat crunchy products, including carrots, celery and apples. The effect is twofold: Because the mice get the nutritious food they need, they also keep their teeth from growing too long.
If you want to share some of your favorite foods, there are some safe options. Mice can handle hard-boiled eggs, cooked pasta, and even stale bread. Be aware of its size, though – small mice often only need about 4 ounces of food per day, while larger mice may need twice that much.
Fortunately, a mouse is not very picky, as they will usually eat whatever you offer them. However, the foods you choose have a lasting impact on their health and development, so it’s best to look for high-quality options.
Pet mice also need constant access to clean water to stay hydrated while they eat.
3. Creating a Habitat
Most of your pet mouse’s life will be spent within the confines of their habitat, so you need to make it perfect.
Since pet mice can be escape artists, choose a cage they can’t get out of. A wire cage may seem like the best option, but check the distance. Narrow spacing is best, as wide spacings are practically an invitation to play hide-and-seek with unsuspecting owners.
Next, make sure your pet mice have the right nesting material. Just like in the wild, this nesting material should be easy for them to shred with their teeth, but you can also provide them with other soft material. Nesting behavior is critical to the health and well-being of mice, even when used in labs.
Their cage should be cleaned regularly. Males tend to urinate in areas they wish to claim as their territory, and the smell of the urine is quite strong.
4. Exercise Availability
Mice have tons of energy. Their habitat already gives them plenty of room to run, explore and play, but they also need to get some exercise every day. Instead of taking them for a walk, the solution is simple: a wheel!
Fortunately, pet stores are often stocked with fun toys that they can practice at home. Be sure to put a wheel in their cage to give them a chance to use the energy they have.
5. Care
Mice are quite self-sufficient in their care. They only need an occasional bath, and they don’t need to brush their teeth. However, the key to their care is not to set aside a separate grooming budget, but to keep an eye on their grooming habits. Mice that are constantly groomed may be stressed or nervous, signaling the need to reevaluate their environment or any triggers in the home.
6. Social Needs
Pet mice must interact with other mice. While another pet rodents may not thrive with another animal in the cage, mice love it. The best arrangements have females with other females or males with other males. However, if you choose to house males together, they may need to be spayed or neutered.
Females and males should only be placed in the same cage if the males have been neutered (unless you intend to breed with them).
7. Dental care
When it comes to taking care of your mouse’s teeth, you don’t need to pull out a small toothbrush. A mouse’s teeth are constantly growing. To keep their teeth manageable, they need chew toys, cardboard, and other safe materials. They will even shred some of these materials to make more bedding for their cage.
8. Common Health Problems
Pet mice are quite easy to care for as they don’t have many common health problems like other pets. Still, there are two major issues to watch out for: skin problems and breast cancer.
The skin problems that can affect the mouse is a long list. Skin and fur mites are quite common in situations where many mice are breeding at once, making it difficult to keep up with the spreading problem. They are also prone to staph infections, ringworm, scaly skin disease, lice, fleas, hairdressing and ringtail syndrome. If any of these problems arise, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Breast cancer is a type of tumor that comes from a retrovirus of the same name. Although the tumor itself poses a risk to the skin, it often metastasizes into lung cancer, leading to early death.
With consistent checkups with a vet, dealing with these common health issues becomes significantly easier.
9. Longevity
Even with the best care, most mice only have a lifespan of 1-3 years. No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved pet too soon, so it may be best to find a mouse that is as close to its baby months as possible to get the most out of its lifespan. Most breeders will post locally or online when they have a new litter available to adopt.
When choosing one or even two pet mice, make sure they have a shiny and smooth coat and clear eyes to make sure there are no obvious health problems before they get home.
Next one: 10 Best Pet Snakes
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