Biting?
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Biting?
by SarahAdams Fri 21 Aug 2020, 4:36 pm
I got 3 male mice this week. Two of them seem quite bold and jump on my hand when I put it in their cages. They sniff and sniff, lick a bit on my fingers, then bite. I"m not sure if it's just exploring or testing, but it hurts and one drew some blood yesterday. Any suggestions? I want to interact with them - they are so cute - but don't enjoy being bitten. I've never had a pet that bit me!
SarahAdams- Sr Member
- Join date : 2020-08-18
Posts : 205
Re: Biting?
by Robin~ Sat 22 Aug 2020, 8:55 pm
Hello!
They are all kept in separate cages, correct (male mice should be housed alone--they are extremely territorial)? If so, are you washing your hands in between handling? Your mice could just be smelling another mouse on your hands and feel like their territory is being invaded. Otherwise, are you going towards your mice (which can be seen as a threatening motion) or are they going out of their way to attack you?
They are all kept in separate cages, correct (male mice should be housed alone--they are extremely territorial)? If so, are you washing your hands in between handling? Your mice could just be smelling another mouse on your hands and feel like their territory is being invaded. Otherwise, are you going towards your mice (which can be seen as a threatening motion) or are they going out of their way to attack you?
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Re: Biting?
by SarahAdams Sun 23 Aug 2020, 9:34 am
Hi. Thanks for your reply!
Yes, they are in separate cages and I sit on a chair in front of them to interact with them and open their cages one at a time for maintenance, giving treats, cleaning, etc.
They are not actively attacking me, just giving nips, which can be quite hard. after sitting on my hand for a few seconds. They rush to the fronts of their cages and seem very happy to see me when I enter the room. Two of them really want to come out of their cages. One ran up my sleeve yesterday and let me pet him so I assume they were somewhat tame in whatever place they came from.
No, I have not been washing my hands between moving from mouse to mouse. I will try doing that! Tks!
Yes, they are in separate cages and I sit on a chair in front of them to interact with them and open their cages one at a time for maintenance, giving treats, cleaning, etc.
They are not actively attacking me, just giving nips, which can be quite hard. after sitting on my hand for a few seconds. They rush to the fronts of their cages and seem very happy to see me when I enter the room. Two of them really want to come out of their cages. One ran up my sleeve yesterday and let me pet him so I assume they were somewhat tame in whatever place they came from.
No, I have not been washing my hands between moving from mouse to mouse. I will try doing that! Tks!
SarahAdams- Sr Member
- Join date : 2020-08-18
Posts : 205
Re: Biting?
by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Sun 23 Aug 2020, 3:45 pm
Your description sounds like maybe your little fellows are still just testing their new environment. One week is awful short for them to make themselves completely at home. An aggressive biter might be more likely to scamper toward you to take his nip, and even hang on for a while to make his point.
While the mousies are getting used to all this new stuff, including you, maybe try offering them a fist to investigate, rather than a flat palm. Tuck your thumb under your fingers, and keep the fingers together. But don't squeeze too tightly, lest you start exuding odors of stress and anxiety, which could negatively affect the little bitey guys and trigger them to nip. And let them acclimate at their own speed. My little April NEVER got into that whole "climb onto the hand" thing. But she'd dash up the inside of my sleeve and search for a place to either take a nap or watch the world go by from. It seemed to be her way of letting me know that I was not in charge of EVERYTHING to do with her.
While the mousies are getting used to all this new stuff, including you, maybe try offering them a fist to investigate, rather than a flat palm. Tuck your thumb under your fingers, and keep the fingers together. But don't squeeze too tightly, lest you start exuding odors of stress and anxiety, which could negatively affect the little bitey guys and trigger them to nip. And let them acclimate at their own speed. My little April NEVER got into that whole "climb onto the hand" thing. But she'd dash up the inside of my sleeve and search for a place to either take a nap or watch the world go by from. It seemed to be her way of letting me know that I was not in charge of EVERYTHING to do with her.
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Zephyr Coco Bobby Noche Paiva April I loved you so / I still do / I always will / 'Twas Heaven here with you.
MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop- Sr Member
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Re: Biting?
by SarahAdams Sun 23 Aug 2020, 6:00 pm
I'm loving the helpful advice here, so thanks! There is so much contradictory information online. I only ever had rats. Not one of them ever attempted to bite me and I'm finding that mice are nothing like rats. Understandable, since they are so tiny.
These 3 brothers came from the SPCA and they had been there for nearly a month - a very stressful environment for any animal. Their history is unknown, but I'm assuming they started fighting and whoever had them didn't want to deal with 3 cages. 3 girls would have been so much easier, but oh, well.
For siblings, I'm amazed at how very different they are in personality. One wants nothing to do with me, one is a hyper sleeve-jumper, relatively fearless and insists on coming out every time I open the door, and one is calmer, yet wary of my hands and won't allow petting.
I will certainly take your advice re: fist vs. open hand and will take it even slower. Your April sounds adorable. Gotta love a mouse who knows what she wants!
Thanks again!
Mr. Sociable: How stinkin' cute are these guys?
P.S. I just got them those cotton bendable bird perches and they love them!
These 3 brothers came from the SPCA and they had been there for nearly a month - a very stressful environment for any animal. Their history is unknown, but I'm assuming they started fighting and whoever had them didn't want to deal with 3 cages. 3 girls would have been so much easier, but oh, well.
For siblings, I'm amazed at how very different they are in personality. One wants nothing to do with me, one is a hyper sleeve-jumper, relatively fearless and insists on coming out every time I open the door, and one is calmer, yet wary of my hands and won't allow petting.
I will certainly take your advice re: fist vs. open hand and will take it even slower. Your April sounds adorable. Gotta love a mouse who knows what she wants!
Thanks again!
Mr. Sociable: How stinkin' cute are these guys?
P.S. I just got them those cotton bendable bird perches and they love them!
SarahAdams- Sr Member
- Join date : 2020-08-18
Posts : 205
Re: Biting?
by MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop Mon 24 Aug 2020, 7:34 pm
Yes, Miss April had her own way of doing things sometimes:
It's almost as if she was trying to copy my sleeping position when I'm in a bad way with allergies!
She was quite a little character. I miss her terribly.
It's almost as if she was trying to copy my sleeping position when I'm in a bad way with allergies!
She was quite a little character. I miss her terribly.
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Zephyr Coco Bobby Noche Paiva April I loved you so / I still do / I always will / 'Twas Heaven here with you.
MerciToujoursMaPetiteBoop- Sr Member
- Join date : 2017-10-18
Posts : 380
SarahAdams likes this post
Re: Biting?
by SarahAdams Tue 25 Aug 2020, 9:47 am
April looks like she was indeed a special mousie. Precious. 
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