Mouse Whiskers- or lack thereof?

Question

Bubbles' Bald Muzzle   Hello!
I have a cute white mouse with black spots named Bubbles. She lives with her sister, Cookie, who has the same coloring. They get along very well, except for the occasional scuffle over the wheel or a treat. I'm pretty sure Cookie is dominant because she bosses Bubbles around, but Bubbles is outgoing and friendly and doesn't mind.
Recently  noticed Bubbles' nose looking very pink. On a closer inspection, I realized her long, fluffy whiskers are gone! Her skin is totally bare - there isn't even fur where the whiskers used to be! I have never, ever seen this happen in the 5 years I have owned mice. I have never seen her scratch at her nose, so I'm thinking somehow Cookie nibbled them off in a show of dominance? Is this likely?
Should Bubbles be getting any special care without her whiskers - I thought they were very important to mice, because they need them to feel around since they have bad eyesight. Will they grow back?  I included a picture of Bubble's bare muzzle, so you can see.

My friend also noticed one of her mice suddenly having bald spots, although she doesn't seem to scratch at all. It happened after she tried using Carefresh's purple bedding instead of the white bedding, so is it possible it was a reaction to the coloring?
I just thought I'd throw that question in also.

thanks for your time,
-Sarah

Answer
Dear Sarah,

This behavior-- chewing the whiskers or fur off of another mouse to show dominance-- is called barbering. If you find Bubbles has painted toenails, you might want to think about sending Cookie to beauty school ; ))

It is unfortunate, and I hope you didn't mind the joke, but it isn't awful. Mice use their whiskers to find their way around, but Bubbles knows her cage and has no reason to have to find an escape route very quickly. I have wondered if it hurts, so I certainly hope it doesn't. Since it is down to the skin, you should watch carefully to make sure there are no signs of infection or scabbing.

There is usually nothing to be done about barbering. If you have lots of mice, you can try regrouping them to change the dominance dynamic, and see if Cookie barbers the other mice. But I am guessing you don't have a lot of mice. The only thing to try is putting a lot more toys in the cage or getting a bigger cage to see if you can distract her.

Your friend's mouse may have an allergy; certainly it could be the dye, or she may have gotten mites. Strangely enough, Carefresh can sometimes be contaminated. I should add "I have heard" so they don't sue me : )).  Of course she should use different bedding and see if the problem disappears. Otherwise she will have to deal with the possibilities of allergies, mites, or another skin affliction. It is important that this issue be tended to quickly. You or your friend can write back if the change of bedding doesn't help.

All the bright colors in the mouse food, bedding, treats, etc., are not for the mice: They are to make you buy it. There is no reason to subject mice to these extra dyes, no matter how nontoxic they claim to be. For instance, *if* you can find mouse seed mixes where they didn't color the corn and vitamin bits, that is better. If the colored bits are just corn-- like they usually are-- you can just take them out. Corn isn't all that great for mice anyway. Any mouse items should be as natural as possible. I don't give mine those colored wood toys either. There is no point in taking the risk. While you are at it, take out the peanuts. They are bad for mice.

Best of luck to both households of mice! Let me know what happens.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha