How to Groom a Pet Mouse

Like most rodents, a healthy mouse needs very little grooming because they continually clean themselves by licking and combing their fur. They are happier living in groups, and it's part of their social order that they also groom each other.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Appropriate bedding
• Mite and lice spray if indicated

1. Keeping its home clean keeps a clean mouse. Wood shavings should be used in cages that are open with good ventilation, rather than enclosed containers.
2. Clean cages with hot water at least once a week.
   
3. Changing the bedding will depend on how many mice you have and your sensitivity to odor. Twice weekly is recommended.
4. Taming your mouse won't take long, but until it is used to you, the easiest way to pick it up is grabbing it by the middle of its tail and placing it in your other hand. Easpecially if you offer a treat, like a sunflower seed or a raisin, in no time your mouse will be jumping into your hand.
   
5. Scratching its body often is a sign your mouse needs some help in the grooming department. If you catch it right away, a mite and lice spray might do the trick. But if you see bald spots on your mouse's body, bring it to the vet for treatment.
   
6. Handling your mouse regularly should make it a snap to gently trim it's sharp little nails by using small clippers.
7. Babying your mouse is OK as long as it's done gently. A variety of fresh wipes and soft brushes are available at the pet store.

Tips & Warnings

• Finding a mouse in an exotic color is easy these days. There are at least 700 color and coat varieties. Coats can be smooth, curly, or long. Black, tan, brown, gray and albino are the most popular colors.
• Mice are the smelliest of the rodents, so if your pet's cage is going to be in a bedroom, think twice before heading to the pet store.
• Green bedding with chlorophyll is available at pet stores that offers a fresh scent, but will discolor your white mouse. Another aromatic choice, cedar wood shavings, should be avoided because the natural resins in cedar may be harmful.
• A mouse typically lives 1 to 3 years. So if your young child will become attached to "Mickey" or "Minnie," consider a rodent with a longer lifespan such as a rat or a guinea pig.