overweight and scared mouse

Question
Hi Natasha,

I have 2 mice named Sugar & Cappachino. Cappachino is the dominent mouse and she always steals food off Sugar. Cappachino is really fat now, and I dont know how to make her lose weight. I've been putting her in one of those balls that they run around in for about 3 days now. It's hard to put her in their though because she is still scared of me even though I've had her for over 2 weeks. Even if I just walk into the room she runs away.

Is their anyway to make Cappachino lose weight and make her not so scared of me??

If you want me to show you how overweight she is just tell me and I'll attach a picture.

Answer
Dear Jessica,

Often a mouse is fat simply because of her genetic makeup.  Usually it does not indicate a problem or cause any problems.  As long as their diet is healthy (NO sugar, few fats), for instance a pet store rat and mouse mix with the occasional vegetable or cracker treat, and there is at least one wheel in the cage, that's all you can do.  This healthy food should also be available at all times (for the sake of Sugar), unless you are using it for training purposes.  

Don't force the Cappachino into the exercise ball.  Only put her in it if she seems to enjoy it.  Some mice like it and other mice get scared.  If she stops for more than a few minutes, let her out.  

The only way to train her not to be scared of you is to give her a lot of positive attention and never do anything to scare her.  The best way to get a shy mouse out of the cage without scaring her is with a toilet paper roll.  Set up the cage such that there isn't really anyplace to go where the mouse can't be easily accessed, and then keep several tubes in the cage.  When you go to pick up the mouse, it will soon run into one of the tubes and you will be able to pick it up with a hand on each side of the tube.

It is ok to use the tail when catching a difficult mouse.  It's better than chasing her around and around in the cage.  The only safe way to do this is to grab the mouse by the base of the tail near its butt.  Grabbing the end can cause the tail to break.  Then the mouse must immediately be placed on the other palm.  For a jumpy mouse, never let go of the tail while holding it on the other hand.  Hold her for a long time unless she seems very unhappy.

The following post from my archives explains how to gently hand-train a difficult mouse:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Mice-3824/2008/12/hand-training-mice-yellow.htm  

Good luck!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha