Making Mice Change their Sleep Schedule?

by GabbiLuvsMice Mon 20 Jun 2016, 1:12 am

I was wondering whether it is considered humane to change a naturally nocturnal animal's sleep schedule to accommodate ones own? I would really like for the girls to be active in the day because I stay up so late watching them Sleep

If you have ever make your mouse diurnal (I think thats the word) and if so any tips? I have tried periodically waking them up, but they play so much its no use.

by Bthny Mon 20 Jun 2016, 7:09 am

I don't think it's inhumane. I don't have fully diurnal mice, but I give mine treat toys with seed mix in the morning and at night, and they'll usually come out when they hear me. Mine are still more active at night, so I'd suggest picking a time frame where you'll normally be able to play with them and offering lots of high value treats during that time, and they'll slowly change their schedule to be awake then.

by MouseLover Mon 20 Jun 2016, 7:25 am

Mice are not strictly nocturnal, they're more crepuscular - which means they're awake at dawn and dusk. My girls are awake loads in the evening and night, then go to sleep and get up again for the early morning. They also get up for random snack/water breaks throughout the day.

If I can help it, I try and interact with them when they're awake, but I don't worry too much about waking them up for play time. However I don't think changing their sleep schedule or working towards them being fully diurnal is something that you should be working towards, it's just not natural for them.

by CinnamonPearl Mon 20 Jun 2016, 9:22 am

As your girls become more tame, you'll probably find that they'll change their sleep schedules to hang out with you more.

by CallaLily Mon 20 Jun 2016, 10:53 am

MouseLover wrote:Mice are not strictly nocturnal, they're more crepuscular - which means they're awake at dawn and dusk. My girls are awake loads in the evening and night, then go to sleep and get up again for the early morning. They also get up for random snack/water breaks throughout the day.

This. The mice I have/had have all been most active at dawn and dusk. I often try to get them out for play in the mornings or evenings because of this but they don't seem to mind too much if I do wake them up in the afternoon.

by AnonymousMouseOwner Mon 20 Jun 2016, 8:40 pm

Funny story, when I introduced my mouse to her new cage and new friend, she acted as if she'd never seen a wheel before, so she ran on it ALL DAY, stopping almost never unless she needed a water break. After that, she stayed awake during the day, and slept at night. I didn't change her schedule on purpose, she just kinda decided to stay awake that day and run on the wheel, then her whole schedule changed. Don't Know

by peas Tue 21 Jun 2016, 10:04 pm

With every mouse i have had boy or girl they changed their routine to better fit mine. Some took longer than others, some a lot longer but they always fit in to what i was up to.

If you wake them up for treat time, just through voice or maybe scratching at their door (don't go digging for them) they'll get up usually. Once they become accustomed to that time, they'll generally just start getting up then out of habit. They're very good at getting up and then going back to sleep if nothing is going on or staying up if something is.

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