FAQ on mice

Question
Hey Panya! hope you are doing well  :)
ok so im thinking about getting a mouse and i need to know everything you can give me except for handeling as ive had gerbils and hamsters in the past. you know, what treats/ food/veggies and fruits are good for them, appropriate cage size, should i get a male&fm ive bred gerbils is breeding mice different? how many in a cage?   and anything else you think of that you feel like telling me! :) :) :) :) thanks in advance!!!   -Jen

Answer
I hope you had a good new year, thank you for your question. I'm sorry it has taken a while for me to reply but it requires a detailed answer and I wanted to make sure I had the time to give you a complete response.

Firstly you will need to get at least 2 mice (the more the merrier) as they are very social creatures. They will need to be the same sex and preferably from the same tank at the pet store.

Male or female? Males are a lot smellier than their female counterparts and it can be very offensive to the human nose! Males are usually bigger and have a slightly shorter life-span, though it depends a lot on the genes. For the first time mouse owner I would suggest 3 or 4 females to begin with (they can become very addictive). Make sure you buy pet mice not feeder mice. Pet mice haven't been interbred as much as feeder mice which results in healthier, friendlier and usually more attractive mice.

The cage you choose it up to you, although I have found those without excessive tubing outside the cage are easier to clean. Multi-levels are great as are ladders or tubes inside the cage. Mice like lots of homes or boxes to hide in though I would stay away from plastic as mice sweat and respire resulting in wet bedding. They love homes made from hay, straw, cardboard, wood or 'snak shacks'. They don't last as long but they have a great time chewing and dismantling them. It is also important to have a wheel either from plastic or metal - just try to find one that doesn't squeak! Like hamsters and gerbils they need something to chew on to keep their rodent teeth in check. They will need nesting material such as toilet roll, paper towels, hay, shredded dishcloths or commercially produced hamster bedding.

If you are able to find 'mouse food' in pet stores that's great but if not you can use hamster food. The same applies to treats, rarely are they ever just for mice, they usually fall under the category 'small animals'. However, whatever you gave your hamster will be fine for mice. Mine particularly enjoy the treat sticks. Any raw fruit or vegetable is fine for your mouse as long as its not spicy! They also love crackers, crusty bread, fromage frias, nuts, seeds and sometimes a small piece of cooked meat.

Once you are familiar with mice you may wish to breed. Please make sure you can find homes for them before you breed or you will keep them yourself. Those that go to pet stores can end up going to bad homes or fed to snakes.
The simplest way to breed is with a single male and female. You will need a separate cage for the mating process (otherwise he will mate with all your girls). Place the female in first so she can establish her territory. Once you introduced the male you will need to watch them at all times. Some males are very aggressive towards females and you will need to separate them if she becomes distressed. The gestation period is 19-21 days. The first litter is always smaller (approx. 7-8) although she may have more. The young open their eyes between 13-15 days and this is when they reach the 'flea stage'. They settle down around 32 days  which is when they have weaned and will need to be separated into males and females.

Mice usually live 12-18 months. I have found most fancy mice are prone to cancer or abscesses. Abscess can be drained without much discomfort to the mouse but they always come back eventually. Eye problems are also common in mice. Respiratory difficulties can be avoided by using wood shavings rather than sawdust. Make sure the cage is kept away from drafts or noise.

If there is anything else you want to know or you would like me to expand on please contact me.