Spots on mice?

Question
QUESTION: I bought a mice 1 month ago from a pet shop, and everything was going alright. It got used to the surroundings, and even walks up to my hand when I open the cage door. I feed it oats, rice(sometimes) and even dog food (as treats).

However, recently I found that my mice had bald spots, around 3 small bald spots, on it's body. Is this because it had injured itself in the cage, or is it an illness? Is it dangerous to the mice?

ANSWER: Well done on training him. It sounds like this mouse is kept by himself. Mice are social creatures and need the company of other mice. You need to get your mouse at least 1 friend of the same sex. Try to find one approximately the same size and age and preferably from the same litter.Hair loss is very common when a mouse is stressed.

If you are still concerned take him to the vet.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.


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

QUESTION: Ok, so I've recently bought a mouse friend for it. But the thing is, the first mouse that I had keeps attacking the new one. Both are female. What should I do?
Also, the bald spots became an injury instead recently, before I bought the new mouse. (you can see the flesh there, as if it bit itself off!! )

I'm really worried now. I hope you can give somemore advices. Thanks.

Answer
It may seem obvious but double check they are both girls. It is fairly unusual for females to fight, particularly to the point you mentioned. It sounds like typical behavior of 2 alpha males.

Make sure the cage is big enough for two mice. They need to be able to have their own space if they need it and include plenty of hiding places such as loo rolls and boxes. If you still have it put the box your new mouse came in in the cage complete with nesting material.

If your mouse hasn't been kept with other mice for some time then it may take a while for her to get used to her friend. However all the females I have introduced (100+) have had no problems getting on and have needed no special introductions (with the exception of my half- wild females....another story).

When two females are introduced they would normally sniff each others face and bottoms and the new mouse would investigate the cage whilst the other one followed her around or busied herself with cage tidying/grooming etc. Perhaps you would hear the odd squeak if your old mouse was too enthusiastic in the 'getting to know' process. Within and hour or two they have settled down either together or if the new mouse is timid in her own spot. I would expect them to snuggle together after a few days of getting to know each other.

There is a possibility that your old mouse doesn't like the new mouse for a number of reasons. If they don't get along you should take your old mouse to the pet store and see who she gets along best with. Remember if your cage is big enough you can always get more than one!

I really hope it works out. Please feel free to ask any more questions.