Mice

[Aina]

So, I got two mice the other day. Both female. They were going to be feeder mice, but instead they are going to be pets. Both are really sweet. They haven't warmed up like my hamsters were, but they are getting there. One has "waltzing mouse" syndrome though. It doesn't seem to be as bad as I have read about though. She can walk a straight line and she does play with the other one and eat normally, it just seems like instead of using the wheel she runs around in circles, and runs in circles at random times too. Poor thing. I have heard they don't live very long lives, but I will make it as comfortable as possible.
The other one has a scratch near her eye.
So, mice people, any ideas what to do to help these two? I am afraid the eye may get infected.
And I need names. The waltzer is a REW and the other one is has longish hair and is greyish brown. She has a mask on her face.
Right now they are being called Dumbo and Bandit, or Reepicheep and Goliath depending who is talking to them lol, and they would much rather have girl names.

Oh, and I need some good ideas on making a food mix or if Kaytee supreme daily blend is any good.

Here is the pic of the girl with a hurt eye. I don't have any pics of the other one yet. It is very dificult to get good pictures of mice.

 

[PixieStixxxx]

What pretty mice!

I don't know about Kaytee, I was never a fan of their products. But if you are going to buy that as your base, you need to add cat food for extra higher meat protein.

I make my own food mix, for my mouse Bella. It consists of: Organic cat food, rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, bird seeds, hamster and gerbil mix at the pet store, a few sunflower seeds, and I give her hay on the side!

 

[Alexah]

I know about gerbils and hamsters, but I can't say much about mice. But I did have a couple of name suggestions.

• Matilda (You said the one "waltzes" and it immediately made me think of the song, "Waltzing Matilda." I think it would be a cute name.)
• Riley
• Sophie
• Serena
• Kenzie
• Lillith
• Mae

And a million more, but I have to go!

 

[juliew19673]

She is very sweet looking and how great of you to give it such love for the rest of her days.. For some reason I like the suggestion of Mae..

 

[undergunfire]

Definitely get her to the vet for the eye if you think there is an infection there. Vets will treat mice, too...you need to find one that is experienced.

Cat food? I have heard that mice can be fed the same types of homemade rat food mixtures that most feed their rats. Cat food is no good for rats because it is way too high in protien....I would imagine it would be the same for mice, too. Rat food mixtures should contain a high quality dog food...very high quality is best.

If you'd can't through together a homemade food mixture, then do not feed Kaytee. You can go to PetSmart and get "Mazuri" lab blocks or order "Harlan Teklad" online. Pet store seed mixes are horrible for small animals, they are not fresh and are fattening.


Good luck on your new babies!

 

[PixieStixxxx]

When I had taken my mouse (a boy in my year was using her as a betting game - "How long will it take to suffercate a mouse"), I brought her to a specialist vet. They told me cat and ferret food were very good for mice, but ferret pellets could also be a bit of a risk if you feed to much. You obviously can't give too much, but enough for the protein. We also have a woman who specializes in gerbils fostering and rehab, and she told me gerbils and mice were similar and can be fed cat food if you need a protein charge.

That's the information I was given..

 

[Aina]

PixieStixxxx: Yeah, I have never been a really big fan of theirs either which is why I was asking. Most of their stuff is pretty crappy but they do have Timothy complete which some people use. I plan on having a lab block base and then adding variety from a homemade mixture.

Alexah: Hm, Matilda and Mae sound like good names that go together. Thanks for the suggestions, I don't think I would have thought of those on my own.

juliew19673: She does seem to be pretty sweet, I am glad she wont be snake food. I think I am naming her Mae.

Undergunfire: My rabbit vet is a great small animal vet and very nice so I may take her there. It looks to be clearing up now. Dog food, well, I could get that easilly enough, it is a good quality too. (My dog: "Mommy, why are you taking my food and feeding it to those scary mice?!" Everything is scary to my dog.)
I am going to feed lab blocks as a base and then make a dry mix for variety. Do you know of some good things I can get at a grocery store that I can put in the mix that would be ok for my mice like those pixiestixx mentioned, rolled oats and stuff?