Fancy Mouse Needs a Home with a Snug- Completely Changed Monthly
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SHOPPING LIST Step 1: Habitat FANCYMus musculus MOUSE domesticus The standard for pet care Minimum cage size is 12x12x12"; multilevel The Vet Assured Program includes: homes are preferred. • Specific standards our vendors agree to Water bottle meet in caring for and observing pets for Food bowl EXPERIENCE LEVEL: BEGINNER common illnesses. • Specific standards for in-store pet care. Step 2: Exercise & Chew • The PetSmart Promise: If your pet becomes Hide house ill during the initial 14-day period, or if you’re not satisfied for any reason, PetSmart will gladly Exercise wheel replace the pet or refund the purchase price. Exercise ball Wood chew toys HEALTH Step 3: Care New surroundings and environments can be stressful for pets. Prior to handling your pet, give Bedding and Grooming her 3-4 days to adjust to her new surroundings Paper bedding or wood shavings while monitoring her behavior for any signs of Nesting material Lifespan: Average 1-2 years excessive stress or illness. Shampoos and sprays Size: 2-3” (5-8 cm) long Brushes Habitat: Nocturnal, most likely THINGS TO WATCH FOR Small animal habitat cleaning solutions to be active at night. • Cloudy, sunken or swollen eyes Nutrition Housing: In same gender pairs. • Overgrown front teeth Fortified Mouse diet • Bare patches in the fur Treats or treat sticks • Diarrhea or discolored droppings Fresh fruits and veggies • Lethargic behavior Mineral wheel Shop for your small pet in • Weight loss; not eating or drinking normally • Sneezing; discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth 3 Simple Steps If you notice any of the signs described above, speak with a PetSmart store associate or small Exercise Care animal veterinarian about the health of your pet. 1 Habitat 2 & Chew 3 Pick a type Add play Choose This Care Guide contains general information & hide toys bedding, regarding the proper care of your pet, but is food & more not comprehensive. For more information, visit PetSmart.com and other educational material. PetSmart® Care Guides were developed and approved by PetSmart veterinarians. For more information on the care of Fancy Mice or other pets, visit ©2012 PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PETSMART & Bouncing Ball SPC_SMP_CRGD_004 Designs and VET ASSURED are trademarks of PetSmart Store Support Group, Inc. petsmart.com/careguides STEP 1 Habitat STEP 3 Care STEP 3 Care continued Housing Bedding Nutrition and Tips • Multilevel homes are preferred since they provide D Provide lots of clean paper bedding or wood • Mice are omnivorous and seeds should be an additional space for exercising. shavings. Line the home with 1-2" of bedding. additive or treat, not their primary food. • Mice may become territorial so one A food bowl, • Cedar shavings are not recommended • Food should always be placed in a bowl and B water bottle, hide house and exercise wheel is for small pets. not directly on the bedding to avoid accidental needed per pet. • Bedding should be spot cleaned weekly and ingestion of the bedding. • Your Fancy Mouse needs a home with a snug- completely changed monthly. • Mineral wheels should be provided in the habitat. fitting lid (mice will try to find a way out). • Mice will shred nesting material and make sleep • Water must be available in the cage at all times It should be large enough for a food dish, areas. Paper or cotton fabrics are acceptable. and and food and water bowls/bottles should be water bottle, a hiding area and an exercise wheel. • Clean the habitat with small animal cleaning cleaned once daily. • Minimum cage size is 12x12x12" with wire spacing solutions only. no larger than ½" apart. Dietary Guidelines Cage Placement Examples Feeding Frequency • Place the habitat in a cool 65-75º F (18-24º C), Prepared Pelleted diets Refresh food daily, keeping Diets* the bowl approximately low humidity area, out of direct sunlight. ¾ full. Pelleted food should be 75% of diet. Vegetables Dark, leafy greens Every other day; should (kale, collard, constitute 15% of diet. mustard, dandelion, Offer only enough to be B escarole) and consumed in four hours. STEP 2 Exercise & Chew vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, squash, A shredded carrots) These items are essential for your mouse’s comfort, Fruits Papaya, banana, Once weekly; should only health and well-being. melon constitute 5% of diet. Remove after four hours. Exercise Wheel C Treats Raisins, seed and Treats should be offered C• Remember mice are nocturnal and may use D alfalfa hay sparingly; once to the exercise wheel at night. Mice also enjoy twice weekly and should running in an exercise ball when outside be no more than 5% of the diet. of the habitat. *Pelleted diets are fortified with optimal levels of vitamins and Hide House minerals like calcium and vitamin D3 for the health of your pet. • Plastic hide houses should be cleaned regularly. Pelleted diets may also have additives to support digestive health. Edible homes give the additional benefit of encouraging normal chewing behavior. Traits and Behaviors Safety and Cleanliness Wood Chew Toys Use caution when handling pets and remember • Your Fancy Mouse’s front teeth never stop that all pets may bite or scratch especially when growing, so your pet needs lots of healthy things Vision stressed. To pick your mouse up, let your pet run • Fancy Mice have limited vision and rely on their into your open hand that is on the ground or on the to chew on, like treat sticks and wood chews. keen senses of smell and hearing to perceive their Chew toys should be available at all times. floor of the cage and then slowly lift your hand as world. Handle slowly. you support your pet. Never lift your mouse by the Entertaining tail. Take care to not hold your mouse too tightly. • Fancy Mice are trainable and fun to watch. Supervise children around pets. Clean Pets may transmit disease to humans; be sure to • You’ll notice your mouse grooming frequently wash your hands before and after handling your pet while awake. or cleaning their home..