Almost down to one mouse, now what?

Question
QUESTION: After years of having and loving mice, I think it's time for me to not have any anymore. Between new work schedules and cats, it's really hard to maintain their living spaces on a continual basis. Anyway, we are currently down to two very old fance mice. One is probably going to be dying soon. The issue is we don't really want to get another mouse, but we also know that one mouse can get very lonely. Do you have any advice or places I could turn to maybe giving the one mouse away to someone who has mice so she can live out the last of her life with others? I don't know of anyone personally and it's depressing me to not know what to do when time is so limited with the other mouses health and age failing quickly.

ANSWER: Dear Rebecca,

Although it is true that a mouse prefers to have a friend or more, believe me if she loses her best friend and then loses you too, she will be devastated. There are rodent rescues but they are last case options because it is very hard to place mice.

My recommendation is let her live out her months with you alone.  When her friend dies, give her lots of extra love and attention. You should try to take her out at least an hour a day-- but it is quite easy to do a number of different things with a mouse on your shoulder or, better, if she is unsteady on her feet, in your sleeve or hand. You are going to be her best friend.

Although a mouse doesn't like to live alone, male mice generally have to, because they fight when living together.  Thus it is possible. Her problem will be that she will already be depressed because she lost her friend. So she not only needs the extra love a single mouse needs but she needs a new best friend. You.

I hope the two live out their remaining months in health and happiness. Thank you for caring so much about them.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The two issues I have with that is 1. I have to very nosey cats and 2. Her name is Skiddles for a reason. She has never liked to be picked up or touched really. It is a very tricky process just to get her out long enough to clean her home. I will certainly try though if you think that is best.

Answer
Dear Rebecca,

Ok, I see where you are coming from. No reason to force her to do anything she doesn't want to.

On the one hand, a mouse who suddenly loses her mouse friends can have a pretty noticeable change and begin to be more friendly to people within about two days, once she realizes you're the only mouse friend she's going to get. So it's worth seeing if her temperament changes a little.

However, if she doesn't want to be held, don't hold her. Keep her life as unchanged as you can. I still think it would be far too disruptive to move her anywhere else, with unfamiliar smells and sounds, and maybe even new friends who would likely be aggressive.

best of luck,

squeaks n giggles.

Natasha