He is about 1 1/2 years old, and I clean his cage once every 3 days because he goes to the bathroom so much, I don't want him to get sick since he stays in his waste
what a sick little boy. XDMice
Re: Mice
I am too, his name is Peanut, he got his genitals bit off....
He is about 1 1/2 years old, and I clean his cage once every 3 days because he goes to the bathroom so much, I don't want him to get sick since he stays in his waste what a sick little boy. XD
He is about 1 1/2 years old, and I clean his cage once every 3 days because he goes to the bathroom so much, I don't want him to get sick since he stays in his waste
what a sick little boy. XDJust the basic 10 gallon set up with 2 crabs, plus a 55 gallon at my dad's.
Re: Mice
Poor Peanut! I guess that's why boys should be housed alone?
I just cleaned my mouse house today. I know it'd been way too long but at first I was trying to let them adjust without bothering them too much. Then I was going to clean Monday but I was supposed to be getting a 20 gallon tank for them for free so I figured I'd wait. Went to pick the tank up today but the back piece of glass broke!
So I got them all cleaned out and boy did it ever need it! Hopefully I'll find another deal on a larger tank for them soon. I thought about a bin but they just chew so much.
Here's a few pics:
I switched things around for them. I love how curious they are about everything "new". The red and blue thing on the left is a toy made for dwarf hamsters. I attached the wheel to it. Once I get a bigger tank I'll get a better wheel for them and I think I'll see how they like the flying saucer (the hamster is still clueless about it :roll: ). There's also a blue tunnel partially buried along the front.
Half an egg tray for a hide. I cut two of the cups out and they seem to love popping in and out of them. I might make the coconut hide a tiny bit higher. I'll be adding some cardboard tubes for them to explore too.
Bedding is aspen and some hay. They have commercial mouse food (I forget what brand) and I give them small bits of fruits, veggies, and mealworms.
I just cleaned my mouse house today. I know it'd been way too long but at first I was trying to let them adjust without bothering them too much. Then I was going to clean Monday but I was supposed to be getting a 20 gallon tank for them for free so I figured I'd wait. Went to pick the tank up today but the back piece of glass broke!
So I got them all cleaned out and boy did it ever need it! Hopefully I'll find another deal on a larger tank for them soon. I thought about a bin but they just chew so much.Here's a few pics:
I switched things around for them. I love how curious they are about everything "new". The red and blue thing on the left is a toy made for dwarf hamsters. I attached the wheel to it. Once I get a bigger tank I'll get a better wheel for them and I think I'll see how they like the flying saucer (the hamster is still clueless about it :roll: ). There's also a blue tunnel partially buried along the front.
Half an egg tray for a hide. I cut two of the cups out and they seem to love popping in and out of them. I might make the coconut hide a tiny bit higher. I'll be adding some cardboard tubes for them to explore too.
Bedding is aspen and some hay. They have commercial mouse food (I forget what brand) and I give them small bits of fruits, veggies, and mealworms.
Re: Mice
I have been checking out any websites I can find and looking over a few forums since this all started. Most of the places I've read say aspen is an ok bedding and hay for nesting is safe but recently I joined a forum where these are frowned upon. I guess both have a high risk for bringing in mites and causing allergies? Any mousey people have thoughts on that? I think just to be safe I'll be switching to care fresh. It's what we're using for the hamster anyway and what I'm switching the snake to once the aspen is gone. Just wanted to put that info out there and hear what others thought of it.
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wodesorel
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Re: Mice
I nearly killed my dwarf hamster (and myself) the one time I tried Carefresh. It may have just been a very dusty bag, but within 2 hours of changing her from Aspen to the Carefresh she was on her side heaving for air. I immediately pulled her out and wiped her down with a wet washcloth to get the dust off and she started perking back up, but when I went to change out the 20 long there was so much dust flying that I had a major asthma attack from it! My husband had to step in to finish and it took me days to recover.There are a few other stories like mine floating around the internet, and it seems to be an extremely rare occurrence.
After that I switched to Eco-Bedding for the hamster, and used it later for the Gerbils as well. It's crumpled brown paper, like the inside of corrugated cardboard. No dust and no wood products and very fluffy. For the snake I've been using a mix of cocofiber and Cypress (Forest Floor) since it can handle being kept slightly moist without molding. Personally, I would have stayed with the Aspen but I developed allergies to it and can't get near it now.
After that I switched to Eco-Bedding for the hamster, and used it later for the Gerbils as well. It's crumpled brown paper, like the inside of corrugated cardboard. No dust and no wood products and very fluffy. For the snake I've been using a mix of cocofiber and Cypress (Forest Floor) since it can handle being kept slightly moist without molding. Personally, I would have stayed with the Aspen but I developed allergies to it and can't get near it now.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram
Re: Mice
I think I remember you telling me about that when my son had that reaction to that fresh n clean (cozy?) stuff. That had a weird smell and his eyes puffed right up and were red and itchy. That's when I ended up picking up some carefresh and all seems fine (knock on wood) but I'm definitely being extra careful now (I even took over all the cage cleaning - I doubt X minds 
)! The carefresh we've bought was like cardboard-like paper....now I'm wondering if I've got my brands mixed up. 
I like the aspen but was switching it for the snake because when it's first put down it really bothered my husband. The mice being in X's room I didn't think it'd be an issue but now I'm reading that the mice often develop allergies to it. Probably would be easier switching all the tanks over anyway, rather then having to buy several different kinds of bedding.
)! The carefresh we've bought was like cardboard-like paper....now I'm wondering if I've got my brands mixed up. I like the aspen but was switching it for the snake because when it's first put down it really bothered my husband. The mice being in X's room I didn't think it'd be an issue but now I'm reading that the mice often develop allergies to it. Probably would be easier switching all the tanks over anyway, rather then having to buy several different kinds of bedding.
Re: Mice
Quick question. Does anyone know why strawberry tops are thought to be unsafe for mice? I keep seeing it repeated over and over on a mouse forum with the only answer as to why being they're "poisonous". I know mice and hermit crabs are different and what's safe for one isn't necessarily safe for the other, but I always thought strawberry tops were pretty harmless. Just curious but I'm not yet comfortable enough over there to question them. Sorry to keep bugging you guys. I've been trying to put together a safe foods list for the mice. You guys have spoiled me here with already having lists for the crabs!
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wodesorel
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Re: Mice
Probably because they're considered poisonous to humans, except with more research they're probably not poisonous. They release hydrogen cyanide gas when they wilt and decay which scares people off, but I am finding references and recipes that use fresh strawberry leaves. Besides, if it was toxic to humans, fruit sellers wouldn't sell the berries with tops - they'd get their rears sued off at the drop of a hat!
Not sure if that transfers over to the mice. Rabbits and guinea pigs can eat them.
Not sure if that transfers over to the mice. Rabbits and guinea pigs can eat them.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram
Re: Mice
Thank you again, Wode! I don't know how I'd survive without you!! 
I know I'm probably boring everyone with my other pets but I'm super excited. I don't know if I mentioned it here but several months ago "Not Me" kicked a soccer ball in the house and shattered my leopard gecko's 20 long. In my scramble to move things around to find a solution for poor "Lizard Ninja", I ended up moving the two remaining betta to the 15g (divided) that came with Emerald the PP and Lizard Ninja got the 29 gallon. So much unused height! But, my husband picked up another 20 long with mesh lid and lock clips yesterday for $20. It's in great shape so Lizard Ninja is all set. The betta are doing great in the 15g so today I'm scrubbing the 29g out for the mice. It's not the prettiest tank (any tips for removing hazing at the water line on glass from being used as a fish tank for 11ish years?) but I'm excited about all the possible MES creations I could squeeze in there. This also opens up the 10 again for a quarantine tank which I'll need because I'm planning on picking up at least one more female mouse. I've read 3 is really the smallest female group you should keep so the more dominant sister isn't picking on the less dominant one too much. I also just dropped $30 on a proper wheel, a sisal/rubberwood ladder, and some better food for them. That crittertrail type wheel just doesn't have good enough ventilation - gets seriously icky after just a day or two. And in the 29, I'll also be able to fit the flying saucer so they'll have a choice on which type of wheel they prefer.
I know I'm probably boring everyone with my other pets but I'm super excited. I don't know if I mentioned it here but several months ago "Not Me" kicked a soccer ball in the house and shattered my leopard gecko's 20 long. In my scramble to move things around to find a solution for poor "Lizard Ninja", I ended up moving the two remaining betta to the 15g (divided) that came with Emerald the PP and Lizard Ninja got the 29 gallon. So much unused height! But, my husband picked up another 20 long with mesh lid and lock clips yesterday for $20. It's in great shape so Lizard Ninja is all set. The betta are doing great in the 15g so today I'm scrubbing the 29g out for the mice. It's not the prettiest tank (any tips for removing hazing at the water line on glass from being used as a fish tank for 11ish years?) but I'm excited about all the possible MES creations I could squeeze in there. This also opens up the 10 again for a quarantine tank which I'll need because I'm planning on picking up at least one more female mouse. I've read 3 is really the smallest female group you should keep so the more dominant sister isn't picking on the less dominant one too much. I also just dropped $30 on a proper wheel, a sisal/rubberwood ladder, and some better food for them. That crittertrail type wheel just doesn't have good enough ventilation - gets seriously icky after just a day or two. And in the 29, I'll also be able to fit the flying saucer so they'll have a choice on which type of wheel they prefer.
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wodesorel
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Re: Mice
Awesome luck on the new tank! Doing the pet enclosure shuffle is always so much fun. (Minor snark - it's exciting and a pain at the same time. 
) The mice are going to be so spoiled.
That film is usually due to etching of the glass. Vinegar soak and a razer blade to try, and if that doesn't work your guess is as good as mine. I've tried polishers before with no effect.
) The mice are going to be so spoiled.That film is usually due to etching of the glass.
Vinegar soak and a razer blade to try, and if that doesn't work your guess is as good as mine. I've tried polishers before with no effect.Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram
Re: Mice
I'm still waiting on my order but I went ahead and switched them over. Used up the last of the aspen. Ignore my hideous paper towel tube creation. They do seem to enjoy playing in/on it and chewed it up pretty good but I thought putting a few things in that smelled like their old tank would be good. After most of the pics, I moved the cocohut and placed the water bottle there above the box. It's the only place I could hang it where they could reach it. They're curious about the flying saucer but haven't figured it out just yet. I love watching them check out new things. 
First a snuggling pic from the old tank:
Left side with the play ground/critter wheel, half an egg carton hide, my weird cardboard tube thing, cardboard drink holder which they love climbing on, and food dish.
Right side with box platform/hide, tp tube attached for easier access, water bottle, cocohut, critter tube, and flying saucer.
Water bottle. So you know they're not dying from thirst.
Full tank
They do seem to enjoy playing in/on it and chewed it up pretty good but I thought putting a few things in that smelled like their old tank would be good. After most of the pics, I moved the cocohut and placed the water bottle there above the box. It's the only place I could hang it where they could reach it. They're curious about the flying saucer but haven't figured it out just yet. I love watching them check out new things. First a snuggling pic from the old tank:
Left side with the play ground/critter wheel, half an egg carton hide, my weird cardboard tube thing, cardboard drink holder which they love climbing on, and food dish.
Right side with box platform/hide, tp tube attached for easier access, water bottle, cocohut, critter tube, and flying saucer.
Water bottle. So you know they're not dying from thirst.
Full tank
Re: Mice
My really plain first try at MES's. A little on the small side, definitely going bigger next time. Hopefully they'll still have fun with it. The square side has 3 levels.
Edit: pics of the new set up. I still haven't figured out where to place the sisal/wood bridge I bought so maybe in my next configuration. Also, I dropped the coconut hide and broke it.
This is Cheeseburger. I haven't gotten a good pic of Bacon yet. She spends a lot more time hiding or sleeping so when I do see her out, I forget all about trying to get a pic.
I've found a lot of ideas on foraging walls so that's my next plan for the tank.
Edit: pics of the new set up. I still haven't figured out where to place the sisal/wood bridge I bought so maybe in my next configuration. Also, I dropped the coconut hide and broke it.
This is Cheeseburger. I haven't gotten a good pic of Bacon yet. She spends a lot more time hiding or sleeping so when I do see her out, I forget all about trying to get a pic.
I've found a lot of ideas on foraging walls so that's my next plan for the tank.
Re: Mice
I don't know if anyone's still reading but I couldn't help but share. I finally picked up 2 more girls! I was holding out for other colors since my store seems to mostly bring in PEW females.
Meet Hashbrown and Twix!
They are currently in ISO and will be for 3 weeks before I introduce them to Bacon and Cheeseburger.
I also couldn't resist snapping a pic of the adorable chews I picked up. The mushroom is so sad!
There was also a happy buck-toothed carrot (went to the hamster) and a surprised snaggle-toothed corn cob (I think??) that I didn't get in the picture. The mice are pretty much ignoring them but Suzu (hamster) already nibbled a bit on the carrot.
Meet Hashbrown and Twix!
They are currently in ISO and will be for 3 weeks before I introduce them to Bacon and Cheeseburger.
I also couldn't resist snapping a pic of the adorable chews I picked up. The mushroom is so sad!
There was also a happy buck-toothed carrot (went to the hamster) and a surprised snaggle-toothed corn cob (I think??) that I didn't get in the picture. The mice are pretty much ignoring them but Suzu (hamster) already nibbled a bit on the carrot.
