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Questions about Cage Setup

Only one toy is required which is a running wheel. With the money you save not buying other stuff you can get several different types of wheel and see which one your beast prefers. Or saucers and wheels. Around 5 or six inches or more in diameter. The quality of the wheel's bearing is most important, the wheels must spin nicely. The saucer should have a ball bearing if possible. The wheels with either ball bearings or made from the thinner wire for the bearing shaft- around 1/16 inch diameter- spin better than the large diameter shaft. Solid plastic things will puddle the peach sometimes, never mind having rings of #2 spun around.

The favorite cages of our mice was the top of empty boxes which also had a low roof. I cut one side off the box, put it on a small crate, and both went on top of a larger table. The box footprint must be bigger than the crate under it, so nowhere for the mouse can reach . Low being 8-12 inches above the bottom for the roof height. The lowest height a mouse will not jump is around 12" or so, so staying 2 feet higher than anything the mouse can jump on will stop him escaping.

Our mouses mostly preferred to sleep on top of the box out in the open but in one of his houses and the rarely spent much time in the aquarium tanks, a 20 and 40 gallon were part of their housing all at the same time.

Bullying after cage cleaning

Hi friends! So, I have 4 females who normally get along fine. Two old ones (1.5 - 2 years, not exactly sure bc I adopted them), and two that are about 5 months old. One of my oldies is very elderly and just clearly slower and more feeble than the others due to her age. I've noticed that one of the baby mice has started to bully her after their cage cleaning every week. For 2 or 3 days she is really mean (no blood, but lots of squealing and scrambling), and then it calms down and they get along fine. But now I dread cleaning because I know it puts so much stress on the old girl.

This is clearly territorial behavior, right? Is there anything I can do to lessen the need for baby mouse to be so mean? She isn't even the dominant mouse, she is maybe #2 in the pecking order. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

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AppleCheeks - The Zoo

Thankfully today was a much better day, even if health wise I feel so much worse lol.
Chance has finally figured out what a bottle is.. sort of. He still doesn't drink much (50-100ml) but the amount is increasing and better yet? He's suckling! He's actually starting to suck on the teat! Granted he is still a little shy of people and doesn't willingly accept the bottle (so I still have to open his mouth and out the teat in to get him started).
The lady who owns his mum, her kids named him "Lucky Chance" since he was the sole survivor so I shortened it to "Chance" - it also means I don't have to name him which is great! Otherwise he would just end up being called "Goat" or "Trouble #2" lol

Callie, while still scratching every now and then, her suture sights have started to scab over. Mostly. Still a bit oozy but no where near as much and it's 90% plasma ooze (ya know, that clear to slightly yellow tinged fluid that comes with any wound). So we are on the up and up! Sutures get pulled in 5-6 days.

Chance has been coming to work with me the last few days since he needs a few feeds during the times I'm at work. I can't tell you how hilarious it is to see people's faces when they either hear him bleet because its getting close to food time or they see this wee goat jumping around in one of the runs - or alternatively snoozing away on a blanket in the office.
For the record, I work at a boarding kennel and cattery. Regular clients have gotten use to the strange animals I bring into work, others.. not so much.
Terrible cellphone pictures for you

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AppleCheeks - The Zoo

You guys ready for this update?

First unfortunate thing to happen.. My Dad was not meant to be walking by the age of 30 (he's in his late 50's now). He shattered all the cartilage in his knees and god knows what else. He was in his early 20's at that point. He has a pinched nerve or something in his back which has caused him pain in one of his legs for ages and there has been significant muscle loss in that leg as well.
So the unfortunate thing? He tripped about 2 weeks ago. Two MASSIVE tears in his achilles tendon and countless others. His foot is swollen and pretty much all doctors can do for him is to strap his ankle up and hope for the best.
My Dad is the time of guy who HATES sitting still and doing nothing and now? He's almost having to cut his gumboots off because his foot is that swollen.

Unfortunate thing #2.
Back in April, my dog Callie developed a lump on her side. Just under the skin, a soft squishy lump. It started off the size of a pea and since then has slowly grown to the size of a dehydrated apricot (about 3cm diameter I guess). It's abnormal looking even for a lump, looks almost bruised. THEN at the beginning of this month she had another lump crop up, again, just under the skin, but this one is hard.. ish. Pea sized.
So she's booked in for them to be removed and sent away for a histopath to find out what they are. Great. Thats roughly $800-900 assuming everything is pretty simple and of course most vets don't feel comfortable dealing with her without me around. She's not aggressive by any means but she barks a lot and is antsy so she's a "sedate with owner" case. Chances are I'll be called in as soon as she starts to wake up so I can help keep her calm.
All I can say is I really hope it isn't cancer or anything but these days? With my luck?
(NOTE : I had consulted the vet with regards to the soft lump she first got, he wasn't to worried at the time when it was small)

Now here's a sad but funny story for you all, I guess.
I came across a 1yr Cockatiel looking for a new home on our local selling site (I suppose it's kind of like craiglist but a bit less scammy and creepy). She doesn't get caged, ever, but regardless I inquired. I explained that I was looking for a third bird to add to my flock. They get caged at night time - this is their choice, they take themselves to bed and also when the weathers nice so I can put them outside in the sun to get some uvb rays which are actually really good for birds (Cage is on the deck, half shaded, water and food etc available at all times). I went on to explain that I was harness training my birds so I could eventually work on fly flight and basically recall train them so they could be outside, enjoy some freedom but like a dog, come back when called.
They emailed me back saying they didn't feel my home was suitable because the tiel was never caged.
Thats fine. I understood that.

A friend of mine also inquired, her tiels are caged too but thats more because they (the tiels) don't care much for leaving the cage. Doors usually open, they just don't leave. So she went to view this tiel.
Poor thing was apparently regurgitating everywhere, the owners had fed in BACON that morning. Yeahhh.. Bacon. While she was their, the owners told her about this horrible person who inquired who had a lovebird and an IRN who puts her birds out in the blazing sun and restricts them with harnesses. Perspective is a funny thing. We (my friend and I) both knew they were talking about me.

Needless to say, my friend is picking the tiel up on Sunday this week and she will likely end up coming here to me. Oh the irony.

Side note.
I had put a post up on FB about how I was looking into adding a third bird to my flock and wanted to know what was out there. That was a few months ago. Today I got a message from someone with a picture showing a very puffed up, poorly looking tiel in a cage with a breeding pair of alexandrines. They wanted to get rid of the tiel because the alexandrines didn't like it. Fair enough.

So meet Squig!
She's a bit stressed still but settling in.

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Biting.. Sorta?

Rocky is such a strange mouse. He seems to like me, and likes being petted. He waits for me up at the hammock, and I take him out for a while and just sorta free range him somewhere, like the lid of a bin, in a bin, the lid of my hamster's cage, or sometimes I just take him to see the girls, haha. I get him in my hand and hold him up to the glass so he can see them. However, he bites me sometimes...? It doesn't seem to be out of territorial issues or anything. And it isn't hard, either. When Scout bites me, my finger bleeds like crazy and it hurts. It never bleeds with Rocky though, it isn't a nip, but a bite sort of on the more gentle side. I do sprinkle chia seeds, flax seeds, etc. through the screen of his tank sometimes though, should I stop doing that? Maybe he associated my finger with food? The last 2 times he bit me, this is how it happened:

Scenario #1: I was removing items from his tank, getting ready to clean it. I removed everything except his hide where he was sleeping. I carefully brushed away the bedding from the front of his hide with my finger, then suddenly felt his teeth biting my finger. He was probably startled?

Scenario #2: This was today, actually. I took him out for a photo shoot. He was in a little igloo hide, and started to dig into the bedding underneath it. I just put my finger near his face while he was digging, and he nipped me. He didn't seem upset or anything, it was just kind of a random nip

What does it sound like the issue is?

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What should I say?

No - There isn't much, actually. Basically, it is two Crittertrail size cages out on a table, and the doors are open on them. Crittertrail #1 has Carefresh bedding, a water bottle, a 7 inch wheel, and a small hidey house. Crittertrail #2 has two inappropriately sized wheels, a food dish, and a water bottle. Then, out on the table, there is a mesh wheel, it looks to be the 4.5 inch one, but I can't tell for sure, a water bottle, some kind of stick to chew on, 1 TP tube, a mason jar, and a food dish. The bedding for the table is just felt or fleece, it looks like. I can compliment them on the out of cage time, and their use of mesh wheels (since mice love mesh wheels!), thanks!

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What should I say?

I was looking for mouse breeders in my area, as I routinely do, last night. I FINALLY FOUND ONE! I was so excited and started to look into it more. Then, I saw a Crittertrail in the background of one of the pictures. I tried not to think much of it, and thought "Well, maybe it's just a holding cage for when their tanks or bins are being cleaned". So I decided to ask them about it, as well as ask some questions from the "list of questions to ask your breeder" topic on here. I am so disappointed by the answers. I thought I finally found a breeder that wasn't just a feeder breeder. And while they mean well, and sell them as pets, these are the answers they gave me:
Diet: Kaytee Gourmet food
How long they've been running: Only a few months
Cages: Crittertrails and small store bought cages (At least that's what I saw in the pictures they sent me)
Pedigrees: No, because they didn't come from a place that supplied them with pedigrees, but they are keeping track of it now.

They seem very passionate about keeping mice, and I can tell they mean well. I really don't want to ignore them, but I don't want to come off as harsh either. It seems like they are doing what the pet store told them to, and haven't done their research. Any ideas on how to kindly give them information on proper care? I do it all the time on other forums, I practically typed a whole essay on mouse care once for someone

But it just feels different talking to a breeder, who isn't asking for information. Usually the people I type essays for are asking for the info and wanting to learn, which makes me happy to help.

Edit: Oh my... Wait... It looks like they don't stay in the cages, as I am looking at these photos more. It appears they free range on a table! They could jump off if they wanted to....

Edit #2: Oh, um, if I'm understanding this setup right, the males and females free range together.

Experience with Box Shock?

It's day #2 of Edgar in his new home, and he's still sneezy.

As far as I know, there's nothing in his cage he could be allergic to. He's very active otherwise, eating and drinking and climbing all over his cage like a little monkey, and he is not shy at all. Seeing as I'm fairly new to mouse care and behaviour, has anyone else had mice that have had box shock, and how long did it last? I hope my little one gets over it soon, and I hope it's not an RI

I need some help naming my mice!

I'm not sure what to pick for mouse #2, and you've already picked for mouse #1, but for mouse #3, I like fawn, it just fits her personality

Good luck picking names!

Are Potatoes and "tomato pomace" Safe for Mice?

Hello, I'm looking into an organic/natural dog food that I could give my mice as treats once in a while. However, potatoes and tomato pomace appear pretty high up on the ingredient list. I was wondering if anyone knows if these ingredients are safe? I know that tomatoes should be avoided but would it be a big issue if it was in a dog food?

Here are the ingredient lists:

Food #1:
Lamb meal, brown rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, fish oil, potassium chloride, yucca plant extract, choline chloride, calcium propionate, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, d-pantothenic acid, folic acid, d-biotin, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, iodine, cobalt, selenium, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, taurine, glucosamine

Food #2:
Potato, wild herring meal and/or wild anchovy meal and/or wild sardine meal, tomato pomace, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, choline chloride, calcium propionate, yucca plant extract, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, iodine, cobalt, selenium), vitamins (vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, d–pantothenic acid, thiamine, vitamin A, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3), glucosamine.

Food #3:
Potato, chicken meal, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), whole blueberries, potassium chloride, methionine, choline chloride, calcium propionate, minerals, (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate,, iodine, cobalt, selenium) vitamins (vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, d–pantothenic acid, thiamine, vitamin A, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, yeast extract (a source of prebiotics), glucosamine

Food #4:
Chicken meal, pearled barley, oat meal, brown rice, potato flour, chicken fat(preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, wild herring meal and/or wild anchovy meal and/or wild sardine meal, fish oil, potassium chloride, methionine, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, kelp, choline chloride, calcium propionate, sage extract, rosemary extract, garlic oil, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, iodine, cobalt, selenium), vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, d-pantothenic acid, thiamine, vitamin A, pyridoxine), folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, glucosamine.

Thank you!

Post your pics for Mouse of the Month!!!

UPDATED w/ a poll. Pictures still accepted until January 15th.
The options/titles below are linked to the pictures that were entered... vote for the picture you like best by choosing the matching number in the poll.
Example: Vote for "Pic #1: Cece being groomed by Millie" by choosing Pic #1 in the poll.

Pic #1: Cece being groomed by Millie

Pic #2: My Yoshi Boo

Pic #3: Blossom being cute

Pic #4: Flynn cutely cuddled up in something warm and fuzzy

Pic #5: HoneyBee and Peach

Pic #6: Sleepy little angel, Bitsy

Pic #7: Bitsy being the cutest

Pic #8: Rocky

Pic #9: Flynn is still being so darn cute

Pic #10: Patches on her coconut

Pic #11: Gingernut poking her head out

Pic #12: Annie

Pic #13: Cuteness in your hand

Pic #14: A Mousey Peace Sign

Pic #15: Odin

Pic #16: Wittle Oreo

Pic #17: Lovely Hazel

Pic #18:Rogue

Pic #19: Your picture here.

Everyone ready for the January "Mouse of the Month" photo contest?!

Post your favorite mouse pictures here (or PM them to a mod if you prefer), old ones or new ones, by January 15, 2017. On the 15th, we'll update this thread with a poll. Winner will get a profile badge and be featured in the forum banner!

Please PM all questions to a moderator. All comments that don't include a mouse picture will be removed until after the poll is posted.

And go!

Mouse Lead

I really, really do not recommend it.

#1: It won't fit snugly enough to make it escape proof (mice are much smaller than most hamsters, and certainly more svelte). The mouse could wriggle out and escape. A domestic mouse getting lost outdoors wouldn't have a good survival rate.

#2: The mouse likely wouldn't enjoy it. Mice are somewhat agoraphobic - they don't feel safe in big open spaces, as they are more vulnerable to predators. Even in the wild mice tend to stay under cover, along the edges of walls, or near objects to stay more hidden - and they run. A leisurely walk out in the open is a nightmare for a mouse.

#3: You could step on your mouse.

#4: You can't control what your mouse will come into contact with. Cats, or other predators (which at the very least could make your mouse feel stressed). Droppings/urine of wild mice - which could spread diseases or parasites. Puddles or rain, which could make your mouse sick if he got wet. The cold. And that's just 3 things.

#5: Mice are fundamentally home-bodies. They do not like to be away from home, in environments that they are not used to, for long periods of time. It can be quite stressful for them.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I just don't think it's a good idea. I know you mean well, and are just trying to think of fun ways to interact with your mouse, so maybe consider other things like creating a "mouse playground" for him to explore, on a table top or in a playpen or bathtub

EDIT: Oops, didn't see EverythingAnimals post. Sorry for repeating things!

Carrot Crunchies

My mother got these for the rabbits, but there's one remaining so...

Ingredients: Dehydrated carrot, rice starch, dried alfalfa, tapioca starch, sodium alginate, potassium sorbate (preservative), artificial color added: FD&C yellow #5, blue #2

Crude protein (Min): 3.0%
Crude fat (min): 0.1%
Crude fiber (max): 12.0%
Moisture (Max): 14.0%

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Does height matter in cages?

Ventilation is more important for mice than hamsters. Obviously they both need to breathe, I'm not suggesting hamsters don't need oxygen haha. But #1 mice pee more and so ammonia will build up faster, which could be bad for their lungs without good ventilation. And #2 mice are much more susceptible to respiratory problems than hamsters, so ventilation becomes more important. So I think you would definitely need to have a cut out on the roof, or on the sides, and have that meshed over.

As for height vs. floor space, floor space is more important. BUT mice really really love to climb, and so I think the taller the better. With height you can add so many shelves, hammocks, fun climbing things. So for the 18 quart bin, without bars or much height, I wonder if they would have much climbing opportunities?

My quarantine/pre introductions cage isn't very tall - tall enough for a silent spinner, but that's about it. Maybe the 18 quart bin could be used for this purpose too?

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Favorite Video Games

Mine are:

#1: Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
#2: Animal Crossing: New Leaf
#3 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
#4: Luigi's Mansion
#5 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U