After introducing - just want to make sure this is normal

by Mousietale Sat 10 Jun 2017, 2:22 pm

Hi guys!

Been a mouse owner nearly 4 weeks now and have absolutely loved every second, they have taken over my life and they seem really happy.
Today - I got a call from the breeder we got them from, and said that a slightly older mouse from the same parents (so a sister to my 2 babies who's just a few weeks older!) had been "returned" (grrr) and would me and my wife like another one. Of course we said yes as we are 100% animal lovers and, not wanting to sound arrogant, have been looking after our other 2 extremely well.

Having got this third mouse, I felt so sorry for her, single female (grrr), entirety of her bedding covered in urine (grrrr), so scent swapping wasn't really an option. I took them out of their "master home" if you will, and tried to introduce them all with fresh bedding in the second home I have. They seemed to really take to each other, so after a while I put all 3 back in the original home.

99% of the time they seem to absolutely LOVE each other. The new, older sister has been grooming the two younger ones, really cuddling up to each other so well, eyes closed, the older sister even put bedding over the two younger ones while they were sleeping (aww!). Just want to make sure however that the following is normal:

Every time they venture to the other end of the cage and then errr... "Meet up again", so to speak, there's a few seconds of butt sniffing. 99% of the time it's just a couple of seconds then they'll pass by each other, or groom, but just very occasionally one seems to chase the other, not necessarily the older chasing younger or vice versa, seems to vary. No biting at all but occasionally a real sprint for half a second and the odd squeak.

I just wanted to make sure this is normal and okay? A friendly competition for dominance maybe?

I shamefully admit I'm not an expert yet and can't seem to find any answers online, particularly in situations where the parents are the same.

Many thanks guys Smile

by scaredymouse Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:25 pm

Perfectly normal! We have a saying around here... No blood, no problem. Mice do all kinds of crazy stuff. They chase, bite, steal food out of each others mouth, squeak, butt sniff, and hump. All normal things for girls. Sometimes the squeaking will sound awful but if there is no blood, things are okay!

by Mousietale Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:35 pm

Ah thanks so much for that! Put my mind at rest Smile

I was just a little unsure as the original two have never done that at all, but with the new one they've both had the odd moment!

I'm pretty relieved they seemed to take to each other so quickly, would it make sense that they could tell they're from the same parents? Through scents maybe? They seem to be best friends already and honestly it's melting my heart

by Rodents rock! Sat 10 Jun 2017, 9:43 pm

Welcome! We would love to see some photos of your girls. What are their names?

by Mousietale Sun 11 Jun 2017, 4:05 pm

We now have sans papyrus and frisk from the same litter and temmie from the first litter Smile

I will upload pictures later!

So a bit of chasing and squeaking and maybe what looks like pushing each other is normal? There's no blood or anything and they don't seem scared. Just wanna make sure one isn't going to go into shock or anything.

by Mousietale Sun 11 Jun 2017, 4:44 pm

What seems to be happening now is:
Temmie, the slightly older mouse I got yesterday from the first litter, has established dominance over sans and papyrus, the two original mice from the second litter (a little confusing getting the slightly older one second, I know)

But today, I also adopted frisk, also from the second litter, so a straight sister with sans and papyrus.

Yesterday, temmie and sans were fighting a little but it didn't last long. Today they are best of friends. Today, both temmie and sans seem to be picking on poor little frisk, and more regularly too. Certainly not all the time, they've happily been cuddled up and grooming at times but there's definitely been more chasing and squeaking.

I'm sure she's not hurt and I'm living off the "no blood, no problem" mantra.. But I just want to make sure poor little frisk won't be scared to death or something. Help greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

by scaredymouse Mon 12 Jun 2017, 1:17 am

I'm a little confused who got introduced to who and when... but we recommend quarantining all new mice that come into the house for 3 weeks before introducing them to your current mice for several reasons: to make sure they aren't pregnant, to tame them up a little bit, make sure they aren't sick, and the let them acclimate to their new surroundings. This makes introductions go much smoother than just plopping them in the tank with your other mice. It would be like if someone plucked you out of your bed and plopped you down in a strangers house! Its super stressful to the mice and they tend to act out. But when they have time to adjust during quarantine... they are on their best behavior.

That said, what's done is done. What I said still holds true: no blood, no problem. Usually big problems happen pretty quick, so by the sounds of it, they will most likely sort everything out on their own.... it just might be a little rough. And these things can go on for weeks. And occasional squeaking after that is still totally normal. Just like people who live together, they are going to bicker sometimes. And some more than others!

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