(Part 2) Top products from r/PetMice

Yay, I'm excited for your new pet -- as the other redditor said, thanks for leaving him alive! I used to have a roommate who had a snake, and we joked about my mice and her snake living in the same apartment without knowing about each other.

It's actually recommended to keep intact males alone. Females are social, but males are territorial and are likely to fight and injure each other.

For both food and toys, you can order online and it's even often cheaper. I personally recommend a "kibble," which is generally called a "lab block" in rodent-keeping-land, over a seed and nut mix. Mice tend to pick and choose their favorites and not get complete nutrition. However, if seed/nut mixes are what you have, it will definitely sustain the little guy and he'll have fun picking through it. You can also feed cooked pasta and dry cereal as treats (NOT as his sole food). Most veggies and fruits will be yummy treats for him too. The only ones to stay away from are those with high water content, like celery or melon. They can give him diarrhea.

For toys, you can buy them or make your own. In general, mice like to climb, to run, to hide, to tunnel, and to chew -- their teeth grow throughout their lives so they need to gnaw to wear them down. At minimum, you want a wheel for him to run on (so he doesn't get fat), some kind of hide for him to sleep in, and a hard wood block (not pine, which is dangerous for mice) for him to chew on. He'll also enjoy torn up paper towels, which he will make a nest from; a ladder or even some sticks to climb and chew -- I usually get my ladders from the bird section of the pet store; a paper towel roll to run through; and other things to climb through and around. I started out with the plastic igloo, a wooden arch (in the trash now, got peed on too much to clean), a wheel, and a couple paper towel tubes. I'd recommend something similar for you.

three years later, I am obsessed and have way too much mouse stuff, but to give you an idea of the variety of storebought vs homemade vs repurposed stuff you can give a mouse, my three girls currently have in their cage system: 3 plastic wheels (2 upright, 1 "flying saucer"), wooden ladder from the bird section, some pieces of cardboard I cut up and leaned on stuff, a plastic "igloo," plastic arches to run under that formerly were a milk pitcher I cut up, a "perch" that's the cut handle of the milk pitcher tied to the cage, 1 whole paper towel roll, shorter pieces of another one, a hanging chew toy (from the rodent section but I've used ones for birds and rabbits in the past), a rope and wood swinging bridge like Indiana Jones would run over (I think also from the bird section, I forget), a cone-shaped hide I got for free when I adopted a mouse, this thing: http://amzn.to/2ymOjdf which is a house you can build in a bunch of different ways, a rodent hammock that's supposed to hang but is currently on the ground because my mice are tiny jerks, a mug that my girlfriend wanted me to get rid of but I gave the mice instead, a very small square plastic hide I also got for free with mouse adoption but presumably is from the rodent section, and several wooden branches that are pre-cut and sanitized that I got from a small pet store that had a combined bird/rodent aisle so not sure what they are supposed to be for. Please don't be overwhelmed by this list and feel like you have to buy your little guy this much stuff! Like I said, I started with just a few things and.... over the years, it's snowballed.

I don't know a lot about how feeders are kept, so apologies if this next bit is info you already know. You're going to also need a source of water and some kind of bedding substrate. I recommend a rodent bottle over a water dish, because he will get a water dish dirty very quickly and changing it will get annoying equally quickly. Rodents like to burrow, so something they can make tunnels in is ideal. This is generally going to be either wood chips or shredded paper. Wood chips are cool looking, help to neutralize odor to an extent, and very low dust. Aspen is the best for mice. Do not use pine or cedar -- the oils are very bad for mouse respiratory systems. I used aspen shavings at first for my mice, but I switched to paper bedding after one mouse developed a tumor and I learned that there is a school of thought that wood shavings can be carcinogenic to mice. (Not everyone agrees on this.) The most popular brand of paper bedding is Carefresh, but there are several out there. Unless the urine smell is truly intolerable (you live in a one-room apartment or you have a roommate that is barely on board with a mouse companion anyway), I advise against scented bedding. Mice like to smell their own urine -- it tells them that this is their home. If you clean the cage at least once a week, it will do double duty of keeping him healthy and keeping the urine smell from building up. When you clean, throw away the old bedding. Wipe or rinse the cage and most or all of his toys. I like to leave one or two unrinsed each week so their scent stays on them, but that's just a me thing. Some mousekeepers recommend scattering some of the old bedding over the fresh bedding to maintain the scent, but I just chafe against doing that because I feel like it's /so/ dirty...

As a side note, please don't use a cage with wire floors or shelves with rodents. (wire sides and top is of course fine.) His little feet can easily get caught in a wire floor and cause serious injury :(

Taming depends on personality -- each mouse really does have their own tiny personality. It's helped me to keep in mind that mice are prey animals and have a natural instinct to run away from fast movements, things coming at them from above, and anything unfamiliar. I generally take time to rest my hand in the cage, often holding a treat or a bit of peanut butter. Some people will put the cage next to them and watch Netflix with their hand in there. This helps the mouse get used to your scent. My Lyra was climbing all over my hand in just a couple days, while my newest adoptee, Rey, is still pretty skittish -- she'll take the peanut butter, and sometimes she'll put a curious paw on my hand, but she's still figuring out that I'm not going to hurt her if she climbs all the way on. Regardless, let the mouse explore your hand in his own time. You can gently and slowly move it closer to him if he's skeptical, so he has to keep thinking about it. Once he's climbing on, try lifting him up a bit. Once he's OK with being lifted, you can take him out and hold him or let him run around on your arms. Even when she enjoyed being taken out, Lyra took a very long time to be ok with sitting in my hand but immediately loved sitting on my shoulder and running on my arms. Be aware that mice can't control when they poop -- they just go when they need to -- and you WILL at some point get pooped on. Their poop is contained little pellets, very easy to shake off into the trash, not like baby or cat poop that gets everywhere. As the other poster said, patience, love, slow movements, and food! I have heard of people haveing "tub time" with their mice when they put the cage in the dry tub, stop the drain (!!!), open the cage, and get in the dry tub with the mouse. This lets the mouse explore on their own terms while keeping them from escaping. My apartment doesn't have a tub, just a shower, so I don't have any personal experience there. A mousekeeper I follow on Instagram swears by it for shy mice though.

I'm procrastinating about cleaning my apartment so I kind of wrote a novel... I hope it isn't too much haha :) good luck to you and your new friend! As far as I understand it, pet snakes are FAR more delicate and finnicky than pet mice, so if you have successful experience as a snake owner you should be totally fine.

Most of the items were from local pet shops, but they are available online. The Rosewood Naturals and Trixie lines are great and provide a lot of choice. Here's a full inventory of what I used with links:

1. Vivarium https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/vivexotic-repti-stax-compact-vivarium-med-mussel/
   
   
2. Wheel
   https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F131889404264
   
   
3. House
   Wooden Nissan House Hut for Hamsters or Gerbils https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003TONZH4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pFVsDbQSKGR1V
   
   
4. Ladder https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F181393896519
   
   5 Play tube
   https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F233143281028
   
   
5. Platform shelf for house - I DIY'd this using part of the tube tunnel above for the legs, and some solid wood cut to the size I needed. I sanded it all very smooth and drilled 2 holes on one edge to hook the ladder into. Everything was assembled with non toxic glue (glue gun) and sealed with a pet safe water based varnish.
   
   
6. Glass forage jar - From local homeware store.
   
   
7. Glass ramekins for food and water - From my kitchen but any homeware store will have something similar, they seem to be cheaper than the pet bowls.
   
   
8. Hanging wicker toy
   I bought this from a local pet shop. You can easily make one with the kind of wicker toys in the link below, tied together with some jute/hessian string.
   AUOKER 5 Pack Syrian/Dwarf Hamster Chew Toys for Teeth, Natural Wooden Molar Teeth Care Toy Set for Hamster, Ferret, Parrot, Chinchilla, Guinea Pig, Rabbit Chew & Play - Hamster Cage Accessories Toy https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N3YVYT6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PQVsDb1YS325F
   
   
9. Natural Grasses
   I've tried both these and the Harvest Festival version which are more aimed at rodents but they prefer this as they can climb it :-) I also included millet which you can get from any pet shop.
   Rosewood Naturals Bird Pick-n-Fly https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ST9A2K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qUVsDbAK4MDHW
   
   Bedding is dust free wood shavings and soft hay.

Sticks, as much as you can put in it. Willow, aspen, birch, apple, are all fine but if you don't know google woods suitable for birds/hamsters. Wash well with soap and salt if you can, and hang up to dry. Once they are dry you can use them for a long time.


Coconuts are great.


Hay nests like this : https://www.amazon.de/Trixie-6108-Grasnest-f%C3%BCr-Hamster/dp/B0009586MU/ref=sr_1_36?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=trixie+hamster&qid=1571102738&sr=8-36


are very versatile. You can pierce them with sticks and place them very high in the enclosure. On the bedding level the mice will absolutely destroy it, very fast, won't last a month. High up they won't destroy it. They'll sleep in it. But destruction is fun so since it's so cheap maybe buy a few of them.


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Willow balls are also their absolute favorite. You can make them yourself, but buying is so much easier. If you can craft with willow, your options are limitless. People make all kinds of stuff with it.


Hay. Giving them plenty of hay makes them busy. They love building nests and they love darting in to the hay. It's fun to look for eatable things from the hay too.


You can also collect and dry wild flowers and plants, which you know are non toxic for mice, but the season might be over with already.


Rocks, safe rocks are a different type of texture to study. It also uses their nails well. Note that with rocks you must place them directly to the bottom. You can also use a brick, for that look up what kind of bricks gerbil owners use.


And all the things other people already told you to get.

Hm, I usually see those used for transferring animals, I haven't seen an example of someone using it as a home. I have a small one I used when I got my babies, but just to carry in the car. I can't find the dimensions for the largest one - the tarantula stuff is triggering for me sorry lol There's some info on housing here, it makes a good point about the keeper plastic lid however: http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/housing.cfm


I know the top has a hole for a water bottle like this ( http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Corporation-SLX0850-Aquarium-5-Ounce/dp/B0006B6804/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1373342103&sr=1-11 ) to go through. (Vertical nozzle, as opposed to a usual diagonal one.) Or you could probably drill one for a different type of

I'd say start with one wheel, and grab another if you need to. Out of my 3 only 2 use it, and it's honestly much more amusing to me to see them try and go opposite directions >_> haha

I grab fleece when I'm at the art store, like Michael's or AC Moore. I just get the small squares and cut them up, the solid colors are only like 50 cents a square? Or less? But yeah any fleece/polar fleece is fine. If you have a dollar store, they sometimes have scarves made of fleece and its a decent amount to play with! I got one last winter. Just had to cut the edging with the cotton thread and ran it once through the wash. :) Any fleece from anywhere works. I pulled apart some old PJ's that I never wore anymore myself.

Climbing toys are always a hit, and you can usually easily fasten them to bin cages if you add a few ventilation holes in the top (or suction cups with hooks - I get a pack for a couple bucks at ACE hardware. My mice have loved this hanging bridge. I plan on getting a few more varieties - it was very well made and the mice seemed to like the basic structure. I also recommend pvc pipes - easier to clean then conventional tubes, larger, and fun for them to explore and tunnel through, especially if you bury them partly under substrate.

Edible logz are also a favorite, at least for chewing, though my guys seem to enjoy climbing on them as well.

My guys also really love when I sew them fleece cubes and hammocks! I almost always find one or two mice in the fleece cube. Not really for playing, but lounging is just as important haha Fleece is definitely preferred as it clumps off as opposed to threading, so if they chew it, it is safe.

All together is best. If you can't find a bigger tank, an extension top like this could work.
As for intros, take everyone and put them in a smallish container like a plastic bin with neutral smell. Throw in fresh bedding, and put in a single "house" like an overturned kleenex box. They should all huddle together in the box until everyone smells like everyone else.

So I'm looking at cage options, the only issue is that I live in New Zealand so the options are super limited. I'm looking at three different options, one wire cage which will cost $50 https://www.thepetcentre.co.nz/small-animal/hutches-%7C-housing/3-lvl-mouse-34.5-x-28-x-64cm-m3/ekom3.aspx
This one from amazon which will cost $80 https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-CritterTrail-Level-Habitat-Pink/dp/B000HHM6PS/ref=sr_1_25?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1511135504&sr=1-25&keywords=Kaytee+CritterTrail
and this other one from amazon that will cost $220 but looks really good https://www.amazon.com/Ferplast-CAGE-FAVOLA-BLACK-Hamster/dp/B0133LNVAS/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1511085761&sr=8-26&keywords=mouse+cage
As they currently only have males at the pet store, I will only be able to get one at this stage (or two if I buy a second cage). I am just wondering if it would be worth spending $200 for just one mouse, or if the $80 and $50 ones will be fine with some adjustments. I spent about $300 on a cage for my rats, so I'm not too worried about the cost. The cheaper options make it a lot easier for me to buy more than one cage, but I'm not sure if I have the space for two cages as I won't be able to put them right next to each other.

p.s I am a sucker for spending too much on my pets, pls help

Niteangel Natural Living Tunnel System, Small Animal House https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW6ZO9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jpFACbCZ0ZTQE

I bought this for my boy Eli for Xmas...he lost his marbles...he loves it soooo much...he has a 20 gal long tank so you can fit the whole thing inside but it doesn't leave room for his wheel. I took the houses apart so each week I change out the houses so they can air out and I gave the connecting tunnel log to his baby brother leif in a separate tank...I first bought Eli this...Niteangel Natural Wooden Hamster Mouse Tunnel Tube Toy Forest Hollow Tree Trunk https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OW44P56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4sFACbT7F5QKX

they have tons of real wood mouse safe toys...I like this company the best...we also have a pineapple hammock and a strawberry one. I wanna get Eli and leif this Activity Assault Course - Hamster & Small Animal Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HRLM1E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_azFACb2XNVKE5

I have used EcoEarth before in my rats' digging box, but my issue is that it is SO wet after you mix it up. I tried drying it in the oven but it took all day and still was pretty wet. Should it be more dry before you put them in? Not sure if you are using the compressed/dried blocks or the premixed bags (which of course are pricier).

For the terrarium moss, is it something like this? Also, how often do you have to change the whole thing out?

I am interested in trying it, because the rats' digging box never smelled bad even though they were in it a lot. But I want to make sure I don't set up the tank to be too wet and get the little meeces sick.

Awesome. And not just food, but they need nesting material. Like [This] (https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/carefresh-natural-pet-bedding) or This or This. They don't have to be those exact brand names, but they need something like that to live, walk, and sleep on.

Try something like this hooked up to one of these. You can get them from any pet store that stocks supplies for keeping reptiles.

You'll also want some auxiliary probe thermometers because you want to put the thermostat probe between the mat and the cage so that you can ensure the probe is touching the mat and won't get moved, but that will only tell you how hot the mat is getting, not how hot the floor of the cage is getting or how the ambient temp/temp inside a hide is. Then you set the temp on the thermostat so that the temp on the probes looks good. I keep mine at 96f and my probe mounted to the ceiling of my mouse's hide stays at a solid 75f-80f.

I'm glad I have some experience keeping reptiles, because otherwise I would have been completely at a loss as to how to keep my baby mouse warm. The heat in my apartment barely works half the time, and it's not uncommon for the temp to dip down to below 60f.

im not sure if these are too expensive for you??? :o

http://www.amazon.com/Chew-Proof-Sm-High-Rise/dp/B0027J381U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418136144&sr=8-1&keywords=tank+toppers&pebp=1418136151442

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-First-Home-Topper/dp/B0006IUL64/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418136144&sr=8-2&keywords=tank+toppers

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=17073

or this thing adds like a tubey thing or something.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kaytee-Crittertrail-Tank-Topper-/181585088896?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a47509180 xD

I often keep my mice playing on a table that they cannot climb elsewhere to. Mice tend not to jump from high places so you can rest well knowing they won't get lost.

If you're still not satisfied with that, you can also get a small fence that attaches to most cages like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B000HHQ2I0/ref=oh_aui_i_sh_post_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have this fence for my mice and it works well! However they can squeeze beneath the part of the fence that connects to the cage so you can put a piece of cardboard or a shirt to block the large opening and they should stay in the fence.

This is what I get for my girls: ebay listing. It's vegetarian so it helps their cage not smell so quickly!

I'd also recommend this wheel if theirs ever becomes too noisy: amazon page

One thing that you can try for a noisy wheel is to put a few drops of vegetable oil (like olive oil) on the axle. It won't hurt the mice to come in contact with it or eat it, and it will silence the wheel. Also, I've had this wheel for a year and it is still quiet. https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Hamster-Silent-Spinner-Exercise/dp/B000A7DFUU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483044491&sr=8-4&keywords=mouse+wheel

hmmm.. I bought them at different stores over time, but yeah they are from from the same producer who makes them out of the same type of wood. I think it is Trixie!


Edit: Yeah here is some links to them from amazon:


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natural-Living-Tunnel-System/dp/B001BYHWZA


https://www.amazon.com/Trixie-Natural-Living-Birger-Playground/dp/B001BYMNFO

They are all Trixie toys.. If you read the reviews on amazon there are some complaints, if i remember correctly some complain about loose screws.. I havent had that problem though.

That's too bad. This is about as close I can find to the ones I used. If you can't find one, plastic will also work but will need to be cleaned more often. You may also be able to weave some jute twine through the bars of your wheel to close the gaps.

e: formatting

Is it stuck on something? You could try a flying saucer type wheel as some mice prefer these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Small-n-Furry-Saucer-Medium-Assorted-colors/dp/B00228HR2W/ref=asc_df_B00228HR2W/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310842909289&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12551142920226441198&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006656&hvtargid=pla-482246345967&psc=1&th=1&psc=1