Mouse health
It can be really upsetting if any of your mice get ill. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to keep an eye on their health.
A daily health check
Once you get to know your mice, you’ll start to see their individual behaviour. You’ll learn what’s normal for your mice and will be able to spot if they’re acting like they’re under the weather.
If you spot any of these problems, get your mouse checked out by a vet:
- Difficulty breathing, snuffling and wheezing. Lung and airway infections are a common problem in mice.
- Runny eyes or nose. These can develop into life-threatening pneumonia.
- Any lumps and bumps, as mice can get tumours. Some tumours are more serious than others so always check with your vet.
- Not being as active as usual.
- Going off their food.
Stopping your mice from getting bored
All small pets need toys to play with and objects to explore. It keeps them happy and healthy, and you can watch their fascinating behaviour as they investigate their surroundings.
- Mice love to climb and explore so give them plenty of different levels in their cage.
- An exercise wheel can help keep your mice active but make sure it’s safe for them to use.
- Choose one without any gaps or holes they could trap their legs in. The wheel should also be large enough that they can run in it with a straight back.
- Cardboard rolls and tubes give your mice things to chew and places to hide.
- You can buy toys from your local pet shop that are made for small pets, like ladders, plastic tubes, seesaws and untreated tree branches.
- Keep some toys stored away and swap them around regularly. This will stop your mice getting bored and means you can give toys a through clean.
- A gnawing block helps them to wear down their teeth.
