Possible Signs of Illness, Additional Resources CARING FOR Neglect, or Intentional Pet Mice www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm Cruelty ASPCA PET MICE Appearance of Animal www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/mouse-care.aspx

Fur standing on end, or wet, or matted; runny eyes and nose; thin; wet rump; American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm evidence of fighting, such as bite marks around eyes, ears or rump; diarrhea.

Housing Conditions

Filthy cage; wet bedding and strong odor; lack of water and food (look under bedding, as all but guinea pigs may take food from dish and hoard it); overcrowded quarters; too hot a location. Recommendations Behavior

Unresponsive; animals fighting with each other. Sponsored by

The Governor’s Commission on the Humane Treatment Reporting Cruelty For more information about of animal cruelty, visit Animal cruelty should be reported to the Animals police department of the town in which www.humane.nh.gov the animal lives. Please leave your name Be sure to view the Interactive and contact information so that a follow-up response may be made. Presentation on the Welcome Page. Template Courtesy of Vermont Humane Federation love to run through “tunnels” like PVC Basic Mouse Care tubing, or something made of strong, Additional Recommendations safe cardboard. AVOID cedar or pine Domestic pet mice are usually referred • The cage should be tidied up daily; with shavings, they are hazardous to their to as “fancy mice” . They are curious and a scrub down once a week. Remove health. charming pets, but very fragile. Children droppings, old food, and soiled bedding • Tree branches to climb on will be much should be supervised when playing with every day. At least once a week replace appreciated, ladders also, plus plenty them. the bedding after scrubbing the cage of safe things to chew on. Toys such down with warm soapy water. as for a parakeet, or small parrot are • Average is 3 ½ inches, not including • Male mice are more odorous than good. Mice love exercise wheels. Wheel the tail. Mice may live up to 3 years. females and will need their habitats should be solid, without wire rungs to • Mice should be obtained from a cleaned thoroughly more than once a catch their feet or tails. reputable breeder or your local animal week. • The habitat should be located away shelter. • Like every rodent, mice teeth never from direct sunlight or drafty areas. • Mice are very social with their own stop growing. So it is essential that Mice are VERY prone to colds and heat kind, so owning more than one they have something they can have stroke. would be ideal. A pair of females is available all day to gnaw on, such as: recommended or two males if they untreated, unpainted pieces of wood, were introduced at a very early age. fruit tree branches (avoids splintering), • Because pet mice are very intelligent dog biscuits or rawhide chews. social animals, they can quickly • Once a mouse has been hand tamed, become bored if enough activity and they should be let out of their cages stimulation are not provided. This daily for at least an hour’s supervised can result in undesirable activities play time. This can be considered such as excess chewing or gnawing, MANDATORY for maintaining a happy, constant moving or rearrangement of healthy mouse. It is recommended to accessories, or regular attempts to do so in a small, secure area where escape. your pet won’t get stuck in furniture or chew electrical wires, etc. Diet Housing • The main part of the diet should be • A large 10 gallon aquarium with a wire Veterinary Care good commercial rodent chow, either cover works well. There also should be block or pellet form. The food selected several inches of bedding. This set- Common signals that a mouse is sick are should contain at least 18 percent fiber, up will work for up to 3-4 mice. Wire sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, 16 percent protein and 4 percent fat. cages used for gerbils are dangerous weight loss and lethargy. They also easily • It is recommended that mice get small because of the space between the get external parasites like lice, fleas. portions of fruit and veggies every day wires. If a little finger can fit between Veterinary care should be sought for a sick such as peas, broccoli, carrots, apples them then the mouse will be able to mouse. and bananas. escape or get injured trying. • Mice should NOT be given chocolate, • Several inches of bedding of aspen, corn, candy, carbonated or caffeinated hardwood shavings or recycled paper drinks, or any kind of sticky food like products MUST be provided. AVOID peanut butter or toffee, junk food, cedar or pine shavings, they are peanuts, or uncooked beans or onions. hazardous to their health. • Fresh water should be provided via a • Small boxes or flower pots should water bottle with a drinking tube that be included as hiding places. Mice attaches to the side of the cage.