Keeping cage fresh

Question
Hi Natasha,

I wrote a couple of days ago about having saved a mouse from a prank.  Since we made her our pet, she's been happy.  You recommended getting her a friend so, we got her a female to live with.  It's been great, the new female is very spunky and has helped draw the first one out of her shell.  I think it's very true that mice get depressed without friends.

Here's my question: as a mice novice, I'm learning how to care for them properly- slowly though.  Are there any secrets to keeping the smell from the cage in check?  I'm using cage fresh bedding and wiping down it down every couple of days with a non toxic cleaner designed for critters and they only eat the proper food.  Is there a tip I'm missing?  

Thanks for all of your help!

Thera

Answer
Dear Thera,

I'm glad the mouse introduction went well.

How to keep the cage fresh.  Well, one secret is that they use the two corners farthest from the nest as a bathroom.  You can exchange this litter for fresh litter every couple days.  You shouldn't change the whole cage more than once a week, though, because they like to live in their own smell.  

The other secret is to wash or remove things that they pee on.  They like to pee on plastic because the smell remains.  Thus cleaning the plastic items as often as possible will make a large difference.  You can also check their bedding to see if they have peed on that, and exchange what is gross.  

I guess the third secret is to get used to their smell!  

Have fun : )

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha