Mice are family-oriented, empathetic animals. Also, they are super cute, making them a perfect pet companion. But considering that they are susceptible and vulnerable, their owners must give them sufficient attention and care. If you are thinking of owning mice, then the following tips can help you with some prerequisite knowledge.
They should not be kept alone
This is probably the most important thing to know before owning mice. They are social animals. Mice communicate with the other members of their group; they live and play with body language and characteristic high pitched sound. This way, they establish social bonds with their fellows. Just like we humans, they feel emotionally stressed in the lack of an appropriate company.
Therefore, it is advisable to adopt at least two mice, or you even more if you wish to. You can take a pair of the same sex, that is, two female mice or two male mice, or you can even go for a couple of opposite sexes.
They need a specific habitat to live in
You cannot put your mouse on just any bedding, but you have to be very particular about their habitat. The reason behind this is that a mouse is vulnerable to respiratory diseases.
Putting sawdust or shaving in the form of bed is not a good option. Also, avoid dirty beddings. Pine and cedar are also not a good option as they can also cause your pet to fall sick.
They are very playful
Mice love to play, and they tend to destroy everything that they can get their teeth on. They enjoy gnawing, and that is why they chew anything around them. So, if you put something like a piece of cloth near their cage, they’ll probably pull it in and chew it down into smaller bits and pieces.
Also, they are very talented and get bored with things quickly. You need to provide them with a range of activities and toys to keep them entertained. They will probably chew down the foraging toys that you buy for them, and that is why papers and cardboard make great toys for them because they are very cheap and accessible.
Do not bathe them often
Mice love to keep themselves clean. They also enjoy grooming themselves and each other. Frequent bathing is not recommended as your pet might not like it and end up scratching you.
If they get too dirty, then try to clean them with baby wipes, and that will be fine.
They are trainable pets
Mice are very smart and talented rodents. You can quickly train them for almost anything in their capacity. You can teach them to defecate on a particular spot that you can empty afterward.
Also, you can teach them tricks like fetch-a-ball and drop the ball through a loop. They even respond to a variety of cues like their names. If trained, they can also navigate mazes and solve simple puzzles. Thus, they are very entertaining and a perfect pet for your home.
Porphyrin is normal
Most of the new mice owners get panicked when they see a red snot around the eyes or nose of their mice. This is nothing but a secretion of the Harderian gland. Usually, it appears on their face in the form of a mucous bulge when they are stressed or sleepy in the morning.
Small amounts of porphyrin are reasonable, and there is nothing to be worried about. But if you witness copious snot for prolonged periods on your rat’s face, it might be indicative of some sickness or inadequate diet that you need to take care of.
They are likely to get sick
As mentioned above, mice are incredibly prone to respiratory diseases due to the presence of a particular kind of microorganism in their respiratory tract called Mycoplasma Pulmonis.
If you notice him breathing heavily, sneezing, or making a ‘clicking’ sound, then your mouse is probably sick and needs to be taken to the vet as soon as possible. You should go for adopting mice only if you are ready to bear the emotional and financial stress of a sick mouse.
You can be allergic to mice
Mice tend to urinate wherever they go to mark their territory. Also, they shed a lot. There might be a possibility that, like many other people, you are allergic to mice fur or urine. It is advisable to test for any such allergy before you go ahead with adopting them.
Spend some time with your friend’s mice and see if you develop any allergies. Most importantly, you should avoid getting a mouse for yourself if you are asthmatic or have breathing problems.
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