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antipodi
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Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1141
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Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:31 pm
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Making Mouse a Home
Home Sweet Home
Do you know the first rule of happy mouse housing? The bigger, the better! A cage that's at least 24 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches tall will work well for a pair of mice, but it's always cool to get the largest style you can afford. Wire cages and glass aquariums are both great choices. Wire cages are nice for your mice to climb on, but just make sure that the bars are close enough so your pets can't get out or get their feet and legs caught. Next, take some time to select the perfect location for the cage. A room that's not too cold, not too noisy and not too bright is just right.
Time for a chill pill? Mice need privacy to snooze and just have some major downtime. You can use a PVC pipe, an empty cardboard tissue box or a small flowerpot for your pets' hideout.
Forget the pillowcases and sheets--but your mice WILL need special bedding. Line the cage with about an inch of aspen shavings or pelleted bedding made from recycled paper. Cedar and pine shavings may smell good, but spell bad news for little critters, who can get sick from inhaling the fumes. Some mice are big on making comfy nests for napping. You can find out if yours are by offering them some straw or shredded paper towels--but don't be surprised if they're happy just to dig in and play with their bedding material.
You've got a new job as a mouse housekeeper, so you'll have to set up and stick to a cleaning schedule. Remove any dirty bedding, stale food and droppings every day. It may sound gross to you, but some mice like to pee in their food and water dishes. If yours do, you've gotta disinfect their dishes every day, please. (P.S.: That's one really good reason to use a water bottle that attaches to the side of the cage!) Once a week, you must change the bedding and scrub the cage with hot, soapy water. Rinse well, and let it dry completely before refilling.
YO, READ THIS!
Don't CHEW just love it? Like all rodents, your mouse's teeth grow continuously, all throughout her life--and she'll need to constantly chew to keep her choppers in tip-top condition. As a responsible rodent mother (or father), it's up to you to make sure your pets have safe chew toys they can gnaw on at all times.
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