Pet mice care

Mice are great pets for people who do not have time to care for a more demanding animal. They were once thought of as dirty, disease carrying pests, but according to the website article "Fancy Mouse", published in 2000 by PETsMART.com, they became domesticated in the 1300's in China. Over the years, mice have been given a bad reputation, and they have been considered dirty. This could not be further from the truth. Domesticated mice are constantly grooming their fur and are in fact quite clean. The same article says they are not expensive to own, and they provide a great deal of entertainment.

Domesticated mice are much more attractive than typical field mice. "Fancy Mouse" describes in the following, the colors of mice typically seen in a pet shop. It says they come in a wide range of patterns and colors such as off-white, black, white, slate-gray, silver, fawn, red, and pale-yellow. They are also available in unique combinations of these colors.

Young children who do not understand how to carefully handle mice should not pick them up. The proper way to pick up a mouse is described by the website article "Mice as Pets", which was published by the London & Southern Counties Mouse & Rat Club. It advises picking up a mouse by the base of the tail rather than the tip, and placing it in the palm of the hand. This does not hurt or injure the mouse in any way. Picking them up in this manner is the safest way for the mouse as well as the handler. Mice are very quick, and if they are startled, they can escape by jumping down faster than the handler can react.

The website article "Fancy Mouse" provides the following recommendations on enclosures and accessories for mice. It says if you are going to have more than one mouse, you should either have a male and a female or two or more females in one enclosure. Males kept in the same enclosure may become aggressive. Any type of enclosure is fine for mice as long as it has a lid and plenty of ventilation. The suggested bedding is aspen shavings. "Mice as Pets" recommends shredded newsprint or hay for bedding. It is important to change the bedding and thoroughly clean the enclosure with hot, soapy water on a regular basis. Mice like to have something to make a nest in. A small empty facial tissue box works well. It will probably be shredded into bedding, but it will serve as a good disposable hideaway. Empty paper rolls make great tunnels for playing in and shredding. Exercise wheels having solid running areas are suggested for mice. Anything with open rungs can cause injury if the tail becomes caught.

Always provide fresh food and water for pet mice. A drinking tube is the most practical way to provide water. They are easy to clean and less messy than water provided in a bowl. Since mice like to dig, water in a bowl often becomes full of bedding. A pelleted diet formulated especially for mice can be purchased at most pet stores. "Mice as Pets" says dry oatmeal and parakeet seed can be added to the diet. In addition, supplements of raw vegetables such as carrots are suggested. Mice also enjoy dandelion blossoms and grass. Be sure that any fresh food from outdoors has been washed thoroughly and is free of pesticides. The same article says whole-grain breads that have been moistened with water are good for mice.

Rodents have teeth that continuously grow. They require something to gnaw on to prevent the teeth from becoming too long. There are chew sticks or blocks for rodents available in most pet stores. "Mice as Pets" suggests providing an occasional dog biscuit to help keep the teeth trim.

Raising mice can be a very enjoyable hobby. According to "Mice as Pets", there are varieties of mice that are bred for show. It says these unique mice can be blue, sable, pearl, and cinnamon colored, just to name a few. The same article says "fancy", in reference to mice, means "hobby". Mice of all colors and varieties, whether fancy or plain, make fantastic, easy to care for pets.