Mouse Tips? (Pics Of Set-up)

[MirBear]

I’m getting a mouse in the next few days, my friends mice had babies (he was told they were all females, dont trust pet stores.. ) he’s giving one to all of our friends (in our group at school) for christmas, i have the stuff for a mouse, and my mom wont find out about it untill i have absolutly everything (including the mouse) 
If we dont take a mouse he’s going to keep them, (he doesnt trust people he doesnt know)  so we’re all taking one, i have a back-up plan incase my mom wont let me keep it, my friend Amanda got her mouse first and her mom is in love with it, so if i for some reason cannot keep mine, she will be taking it.

I’ve done a TON of research. Does anyone have any comments on how to properly care for a mouse ?

(he’s giving us the food and everything we need to start off caring for them )

Here’s My Set-up so far.

[MirBear]

** The paper is off of that water bottle ^

[KatnipCrzy]

What is the cage covered with?  I have more experience with hamsters and gerbils- but I had a female pair of mice before.  Mice are major chewers so they will demolish plastic quite quickly.  Do you have a wheel for them?  Male mice smell really bad- and I have to admit I thought my female mice stunk more than any hamsters or gerbils I ever had.

Have you read up on mice?  I thought they were social critters.

[Lintini]

My first concern is the ventilation you will have for him? Is that a tupperware storage bin? You really don’t want that mouse escaping…then your mom will really be upset >< Mice are quite crafty…I think he could easily escape if you leave it open, do you have mesh for on top or something? Mice also smell so so bad!!! Mir I really don't want you to get this mouse and fall in love and then your mom makes you get rid of him. Please think about this a little more okay? I know I always do things like this too, but my parents don't make me get rid of pets and I would hate this to happen to you.

In my most honest opinion I would not get this mouse simply on how your mom feels about your rabbits. I don’t think it’s a good idea. And I know you aren’t telling her now because you know she will say no but I don’t think it will be a different answer when she she’s how nice your setup is for the mouse either We all know you would give this mouse the best home ever but do you really want to get into this situation? I just really know how it is, you get so excited to get this new pet that you can’t wait to have and set up the most awesome enclosure ever for him and you daydream about doing your homework with them sitting on your pant leg, or playing on your bed while you read (etc etc) and then that annoying…but usually smart parent pops that dream bubble and says NO MORE ANIMALS!!! I do hope this works out for you, I’m just nervous for you and hope your mom does let you keep him/her if you do end up bringing one home.

[Monkeybun]

I agree with Lintini. You do NOT want to cause any issues with your mom on this, especially just bringing home a mouse without asking. She could just up and get rid of all your pets because of it.

Mice are really really smelly, need lots of ventilation, can escape like Houdini, food and bedding needs to be purchased…not to mention they ARE pets and would need vet care. if I were you I would focus on the bunnies instead.

[Karla]

Posted By Lintini on 12/09/2010 01:40 AM
My first concern is the ventilation you will have for him? Is that a tupperware storage bin? You really don’t want that mouse escaping…then your mom will really be upset >< Mice are quite crafty…I think he could easily escape if you leave it open, do you have mesh for on top or something? Mice also smell so so bad!!! Mir I really don't want you to get this mouse and fall in love and then your mom makes you get rid of him. Please think about this a little more okay? I know I always do things like this too, but my parents don't make me get rid of pets and I would hate this to happen to you.

In my most honest opinion I would not get this mouse simply on how your mom feels about your rabbits. I don’t think it’s a good idea. And I know you aren’t telling her now because you know she will say no but I don’t think it will be a different answer when she she’s how nice your setup is for the mouse either We all know you would give this mouse the best home ever but do you really want to get into this situation? I just really know how it is, you get so excited to get this new pet that you can’t wait to have and set up the most awesome enclosure ever for him and you daydream about doing your homework with them sitting on your pant leg, or playing on your bed while you read (etc etc) and then that annoying…but usually smart parent pops that dream bubble and says NO MORE ANIMALS!!! I do hope this works out for you, I’m just nervous for you and hope your mom does let you keep him/her if you do end up bringing one home.

Lintini said it all.

I just want to add in relation to the housing, that you really should consider the fact that mice are like any other animal. They are not meant for being kept in a small container with no stimuls at all. Being in a plastic container will not only deprive the mouse of different scents and smells from the outside world, but what about air and proper temperature? If you really want to keep the mouse, then go out and get a him/her a proper habitat.

From what I know, mice should be kept in pairs due to their very social disposition. So you need to get two and you definitely need to make sure you don’t have one of opposite sex  And is your friend capable of determining the sex on a mouse?

MirBear, I know how you feel about these pets and the need to juse have more and more to care for. I’m like that as well. But you really need to consider the amount of time, it will require, and if you really want your mum to be upset about this and perhaps take it out on the bunnies. She might think that she can’t trust you around the bunnies then, if you pull a stunt like that, so she will ask you to give them up.

Just like bunnies, mice are pets that need to be taken seriously. No pet is an easy pet if you really get involved in its care. So don’t let the little size fool you.

 

[Beka27]

I have to agree with the others. That set-up is not appropriate for a mouse. Your mom should be consulted, and if she approves, you can go out and get the right habitat and supplies that a mouse needs. If she says no, there is your answer.

Karla, I’m guessing the friend is no more qualified to sex a mouse than the petstore from which the parents were acquired. This is a disaster waiting to happen if Mir brings home two.

[Deleted User]

I would be surprised if your mom let you keep a rodent such as a mouse as a indoor pet. A mouse can carry salmonella. I had a pair of female mice that were retired classroom pets, retired due to their smell. They came in a pretty crittertrail habitat and they were fun to watch but I never liked handling them.

[MirBear]

he’s home now, my mom will be home within the hour, and im planning on showing her then. i didn’t want to tell her before he came home. If anything did happen he would go live at my best friends hoyse with his brother.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW you are brave-I would do that with Dave (Noot was a suprise) but my mom… no way!! lol OK I did rescue a kitten once and put it in my bedroom and bought it food and didn’t tell them…suprisingly my dad noticed (That the dog was going crazy and my bedroom was meowing)…
Wish you luck with mom!
I think it would be best if you can get a proper mouse cage, if they escape they could get in your walls etc…Anyways we’ll see what your mom says!

[Monkeybun]

I see nothing but bad coming of this….

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m a little worried too mb-my mom would have my neck

[Otti]

I’m sorry Mir, I know that you’ve discussed before on the fourm how you struggle with your mother’s preferences regarding the animals you already have. If she approved a pet purchase and then is turning the tables on you all of a sudden and asking you to get rid of that pet without a seemingly rational reason, that’s not understandable and you have a right to be confused/upset. But she’s your parent, and the adult of the household, and it’s not respectful to make decisions regarding new pets to be kept in her house without her knowledge.

If your mother does not approve of the mouse, you should completely understand. And in addition, I really hope this doesn’t ruin her trust in you and further strain your relationship with regards to pets.

Let us know how it went. Regarding the setup, that looks like a drawer in one of those plastic 3-drawer chests that roll around. A small mouse could easily get out, chew its way out, or even end up in between the drawer and the side of the plastic unit, possibly getting stuck or hurt.

[Deleted User]

She should not be able to chew through this but in the top portion you need to add ventilation holes, tiny ones, like with a very small drill bit.

[Karla]

 MirBear, how did it go??

When I was a kid, I really wanted a mouse, and my parents said I could have one, if I caught one myself (). And guess what, a few days later the cat brought home a pretty white mouse alive and well. Did I get to keep it? No  Parents aren’t always fair, but they have their reasons, I guess.

If your mum said yes, then you should really start saving for a proper habitat for the mouse – like the one below. The mouse should live a happy, stimulated life. Small animals deserve good lives as well. 

And then get a breeder or vet to determine the sex and make sure you get your mouse company. 

 

[MirBear]

She loves him!

even more than the bunnies O_o

I showed her and she said:
“don’t let honey see him if he’s out, and he needs a proper cage.”

:p

[LoveChaCha]

Wow …

[MirBear]

yeah! thats what i said!

[MirBear]

yeah! thats what i said!

[Otti]

That’s awesome! I’m glad it worked out well… but if you’re in a similar situation ever again, I think letting people now ahead of time when they’re going to be affected by something is always the best way to go.

It is fantastic that your mom is happy with the mouse but also kind of irritating lol After all your struggles with her, I would be kind of POed that the mouse gets preferential treatment :/

[MirBear]

it does bug me.. i caught her in me room afterwards petting him.. she was saying how he isnt used to being handled and i need to handle him so he gets used to it, but i cant have litter trained bunnies inside to play regularly..

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad your Mom likes him. My best friend had a mouse and I found him to be very smelly, even when the cage was cleaned regularly. Make sure to be on top of the smell or your Mom might not like him anymore.

[Beka27]

Wow, I am honestly shocked! But good for you! You guys going to go get a new cage?

[Author]

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