How to cool down mice?

by fancymice Fri 06 Jul 2018, 11:50 am

It’s in the 100s where I live and I want to cool down the girls, I read that putting an ice pack helps? Currently our AC doesn’t work Worry

I put a cold towel over half of the two tanks because it’s supposed to regulate temps any other suggestions?

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Fri 06 Jul 2018, 1:19 pm

Keeping your mousies cool in that kind of heat is going to be a major accomplishment! Let's see what I can come up with -- and then others who are in the same predicament as you can join in with helpful hints.

First, here's something to get you started, from The Rat Guru on YouTube:

Further pursuing the simple concept that cold air sinks and warm air rises, make sure your mousehouse is as low as you can get it in the house. But if you place it on the floor, be sure to watch for ant line formation once one of their little scouts finds the food bowl or a mousiepoop. And beware of moving mice to your basement, because of the negative effect musty air could have on their delicate respiratory systems.

Applying wet towels, as you are, will help to cool. My variation on that trick was to wrap wet tee shirts around the bottom of April's enclosure. That way, evaporation would cool the tank walls at the bottom, where she was, and nothing was over the top to restrict air flow.

You can keep a box of mousie stuff cooling in the fridge and keep rotating cool toys, hammocks, treats, water, et cetera, into the mousehouse, while bringing the warmed-up stuff back out for another cooling session. You can even keep some just plain rocks or tiles (things that will stay cool longer than plastic or wood) in rotation like that.

My little April (gone to Mousie Heaven exactly one year ago today) always had a fascination with running water, so it was not difficult to extend that to actually getting her wet when the weather was too hot, and that would help to keep her cool. She'd get her little feet wet and then run up one of my arms a little way, and then come back to check out that water stuff again. Maybe you have a waterbaby too.

Finally, if you have a not-too-big, portable, solid-sided tank for a mousehouse, you can scrub up the bathtub, run a shallow depth of cool water, and just set the whole tank right inside the tub -- like baking custards or cheesecake in a bain-marie. Make sure the bathroom has good air flow, though, so it does not become hot and stuffy in there.

Don't forget to get up regularly during the night to make sure your cooling efforts are working. And have a plan for what to do if your mousies begin to show signs of heat distress.

And for you -- THINK COOL.

by CallaLily Fri 06 Jul 2018, 2:28 pm

My past mice/hamsters and my gerbils all really seem to appreciate cool marble tiles or ceramic mugs/hides on warmer days. I keep them in the refrigerator. I’ve also put a small mason jar with ice in the tank before.

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Fri 22 May 2020, 7:12 pm

With hot weather either here or on the way in the northern hemisphere, I thought I'd try to revive and refresh this topic. With many people experiencing long periods of unemployment due to government shut-downs of their businesses, running the air conditioner might be an unaffordable luxury for many pet owners. And some of us don't have air conditioning at all. So if you have any good ideas for keeping our little friends comfortably cool -- ALL pets included -- be sure to join in the discussion here.

Also include product reviews if you have tried any personal cooling devices, especially ones that blow air out over ice or re-freezable blocks, and either want to let us know how much you like one of them or want to let us know to stay away from it!

Stay Cool Sign

by Robin~ Fri 22 May 2020, 8:03 pm

I find frozen ceramics (plates, mugs, bowls, cups), stones, and bricks to be great. Mugs/cups in particular are great for cooling your mouse down around the whole body, plus they're perfectly-sized hides.

And, as weird as this seems, bedding! In the wild, desert animals will burrow down to escape the heat, so providing a good amount of bedding can also help with thermoregulation. Even better if you can place the cage on a stone/metal surface so the cold can seep up a bit from the bottom to encourage your mice to dig deeper.

I've seen some people use frozen water bottles before and, from personal experience, it's just a mess. The condensation soaks the bedding and I've never seen any of my mice/hamsters actually lay against one. At least with ceramics/bedding they act as hides.

But, really, this does bring up a really vital issue. It really makes me feel thankful that a) my family has a stable source of income through this and b) I have a basement that stays pretty cold in the case of my A/C breaking. My admiration goes out to everyone who has to take these sacrifices and make the best of them.
Group Hug

by L0rd-sesshomaru Sat 15 Aug 2020, 8:31 am

Hi all,

It’s been over the 100’s in my area. 108 today ): My partner and I have been taking many steps to keep our lil mouse Hemmy cool! But I’m still nervous.

We’ve taken everyone’s advice on here but I had a follow up question about AC. So I’m sure others are familiar with the stuffy feeling you get when the AC is on for too long. So I bought both a humidifier and air purifier for our mouse. But since it’s been in the 100’s i don’t want to make it worse by putting the humidifier. Any thoughts? Can the AC end up hurting my mouse? He’s not directly next to the AC he’s on the floor next to my bedside to watch him.

Thanks everyone! If it’s hot where you are, I hope you and your little ones are staying cool Heart

by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Sat 15 Aug 2020, 3:48 pm

I bet Hemmy is fine the way you're handling the heat for him. Just continue to keep a good watch on him. I think the biggest danger from AC is if bacteria gets into the system, but routine maintenance should prevent that from happening. So maybe try fanning the air around a bit to stir it up and relieve the stuffiness? It may not bother Hemmy at all.

by L0rd-sesshomaru Sat 15 Aug 2020, 9:12 pm

Thank you so much Smile

that’s a relief. We usually wake up throughout the night to see how he’s doing since that’s when he’s most active.

Do you (or anyone) think a little bit of diluted pedialyte can help him stay hydrated? I bought some last night for emergencies in case he does start to feel ill. But wondering if it can be used for preventive measures.

Someone recommended a granite stone to help keep him cool. They said it worked for them, Im adding the link here for anyone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A7707O/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks!

by chiroptera Fri 21 Aug 2020, 2:32 am

@L0rd-sesshomaru

My roommates and I have used both diluted pedialyte and gatorade to help with hydration in sick mice and rats, and it never seemed to have an adverse effect in our experience. Smile

I think though that as long as your AC is functioning, little Hemmy will be okay! Especially if you provide some cool tiles, or mugs/cups like Robin suggested.