Mice dont like lab blocks

Question
QUESTION: Hello! =]

I want to start feeding my two fancy mice a home made mix but what do I feed them I don't want anything bad I was thinking of using Sandra Todds rat mix. Would this be good for my girls? Right now I was trying to feed them this home mix it has Rolled oats, puffed wheat, puffed rice, total cereal, roasted unsalted soy nuts, dried fruits, dry pasta, and sunflower seeds. What sounds better this mix or a rat mix?


ANSWER: Dear Nikki,

Rat food is fine for mice. Officially, a mouse mix should be 16 percent protein, 18 percent fiber, and 4 or less percent fat. I'm not a (mouse) nutritionist, so I can't exactly analyze the mix you describe; however, it sounds varied, which is good; so, other than the dried fruits, which I would not add due to digestive problems, if you use that mix with some raw vegetables it should be fine.  

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha



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

QUESTION: Thank you right now I am giving them a tablespoon of there old mouse food and adding in the mix its hard to find all the ingredients I know I should feed them veggies everyday for two mice how much should I put in there for them? I have a list of veggies they can eat so I should be good if I knew how much.

ANSWER: Dear Nikki,

Give them about a tablespoon of veggies a day and take out what they don't eat.  They actually won't overeat if you give them more than they need, so you can put as much as you like; it just might go to waste.

It's really nice that you want to give them a fresh and varied diet, rather than mouse mix.  They are very lucky little mice!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: They don't eat lab blocks very well I heard there very important I am worried if they don't they wont get a full proper nutrition I was going to try Nutrio light dog food with 17% protein should I go with the dog food or is there a tasty lab block they will eat? I heard a women feed her rats a little bit of yogurt I think it was soy yogurt could I rub soy yogurt on the lab blocks to make them eat like the lab blocks?

Answer
Dear Nikki,

I don't give my mice lab blocks.  You had the right idea before:  that they would prefer a more interesting and fresher diet.  They ought to have food that they enjoy.  I wouldn't want to eat nothing but lab blocks myself either!  I like your previous ideas.  Don't worry about the lab blocks.  That's almost like us eating nothing but vitamin pills, in a way......  healthy in one sense but not much quality of life-- or of ingredients.  

I would not use any products intended for dogs or cats, as the quality control for those foods is terrible, and mice don't need animal products.  I would never give a mouse something I wouldn't eat myself.  

Thanks for caring so much about your mice!  They are lucky.

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha