Keeping Mice as Pets
The domestic pet mouse is a
favorite with children, especially boys, for keeping as a pet. Most of
the pet mice available in pet stores have been specially bred for
certain qualities that are good in pet mice. Pet mice are happy animals
and quite playful and can make pets that are quite easy to care for and
without causing any great expense. Mice are social animals and it is
therefore necessary that they be kept in pairs, so that the mice are
company for each other. Mice have personalities just like people, and
you may find some of them to be quite playful and wanting attention,
whereas others may prefer to hide and keep to themselves. There are also
different breeds available, though all of them would have the same
instincts and habits.
Selecting your pet mice
Look for mice that are healthy,
bright and active. They should have smooth and clean coats and also show
clean pink skin on the ears and tail. There should be no discharge from
the ears or nose and the anal and mouth areas should be dry and clean.
Most pet stores would separate the males and females, as reproduction in
mice starts at the age of just 6 weeks. If you opt for a male and female
you find that they reproduce very fast and your small pet dormitory may
soon be overcrowded. Bringing in two males is risky unless they are from
the same litter, as males tend to be aggressive and may end up fighting
each other.
Caring for your mice
Mice like to stand up on their
hind legs and run and play. Any housing that you plan for them should
have sufficient room for them to move about, and should also be well
ventilated and full of light. Aquariums can be used to house mice and
should be topped with a wire net cover. Bedding should be prepared in
the form of wood shavings, shredded paper or paper towels. All of this
should be free of any oil or scent as mice may be sensitive to such
oils. You would need to change the bedding at least once a week if you
want your mice to stay healthy. Creating a couple of levels within the
aquarium and also tenanting these levels with play wheels or toys is a
good idea to keep the mice interested in exercise.
Mice need to be given fresh water
at least once a day through a water pipe or bottle. Never give it in a
dish. Seed or pellets as food is healthy and should be given in a
ceramic dish, as mice may gnaw dishes if they are made of plastic. All
mice have individual tastes and you would need to observe this before
you settle into a long term feeding pattern.
Playing with your pet mice
Mice do not mind being handled
and therefore are a favorite with children. Never lift a mouse by its
tail. Scoop them up from under their belly. Initially before lifting
them you need to let the mouse or mice get used to the smell of your
hand, which perforce needs to be clean. Support the mouse fully with
both hands and do not make any sudden moves as this may cause them to
react. Mice do not generally bite, but startling them could cause an
adverse reaction.
Mice as pets
may mean a lot of fun for your youngster, but ensure that the caring of
the pet is also made part of their responsibility, and that they always
maintain the housing of the mice in the cleanliness that is a must, if
you are not to have your house full of smells. Mice will generally live
for about 1.5 to 2 years if properly looked after.
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