Does wild mouse need different food than tame mouse?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Natasha!  I have a tame deer mouse named Elmer whom I saved as a tiny baby after I found her dying of dehydration in my very hot garage two summers ago.  Elmer has always used a water bowl, mostly because we have her in a glass aquarium and could not find a water bottle that worked with it properly.  Finally last week I found a bottle that attaches to the glass itself with a glue strip and took out the bowl (which she made a mess of half the time anyway, or filled with bedding, LOL), but I'm worried she doesn't know how to use the bottle!  I admit I never saw her actually drinking from the bowl, either, but I never see her at the bottle, so I'm concerned she may not have figured it out.  She seems fine, her eyes are bright, she's eating...can you allay my fears at all?  Thanks bunches!  Jes

ANSWER: Dear Jes,

Mice will die without water in just a few days, so it's important Elmer figures it out.  You can tell if she is drinking by filling the bottle to the very top and then seeing if any liquid is displaced.  If she is tame enough you should introduce her to the bottle several times a day.  

Since she is well over a year old, you might worry if an old mouse can really learn new tricks.  However, you don't have to go back to the old way, nor do you have to risk dehydrating her.  Give her the water dish for a few hours a day at around the same time (at night is best).  The rest of the time her only supply will be the bottle.  Thus if she can't use the bottle, she will at least get her fluid daily, and you can then watch to see if the liquid goes down in the bottle.  And you won't have to deal with such a mess of a water dish.

Good luck!

Squeaks n giggles,

Natasha

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

QUESTION: Thanks, Natasha!  I did fill the bottle completely...but it seems to leak the tiniest bit so I'm not sure if the water that is displaced is from her drinking, or from the bottle dripping!  I will try the water dish suggestion as well just to make sure she's getting enough water until we catch her in the act of drinking from the bottle!  I have a feeling she has been, but because I haven't seen it personally, I worry. :-)  You understand!

I had a second question.  I read somewhere that deer mice eat insects.  I haven't given her any sources of protein other than that from nuts since I've had her...should I be providing her with a substitute animal protein source, or is she fine with mice food and fruits and veggies as treats?

Thanks again!

Jes  

Answer
Dear Jes,

Elmer is fine with the diet you are giving her.  In the wild they eat what they can, and don't necessarily get a balanced diet, so she is actually a bit better off with you.  Any mouse in the wild would be thrilled with such bounty.  She won't mind being vegetarian!

squeaks n giggles,

Natasha