How to Groom Pet Mice

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

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Appropriate bedding
• Mite and lice spray if indicated

1. Keep a cage clean to keep 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. Change the bedding depending on how many mice you have and your sensitivity to odor. Twice weekly is recommended.

4. Tame your mouse by putting your hand close by. It won't take long, but until it is used to you, the easiest way to pick up your little rodent is grabbing it by the middle of its tail and placing it in your other hand. Especially if you offer a treat, like a sunflower seed or a raisin, in no time your mouse will be jumping into your hand.

5. Groom your mouse if you see it scratching its body. It's often a sign it has some sort of bug pestering it. If you catch it right away, a rodent 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. Handle your mouse regularly to make it a snap to gently trim it's sharp little nails by using small clippers.

7. Baby your mouse but remember to do it gently. A variety of fresh wipes and soft brushes are available at the pet store for a true bonding experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Finding a pet 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 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 and it offers a fresh scent, but it 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 only 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.