Looking into getting some mice (long read)

[~Fala~]

I have had several types of small animals. Several months ago I lost my last small pet, a Syrian hamster. Over time I have kept two pairs of sister gerbils over a course of about 3 years each, different times, a dwarf hammie and a Syrian hammie. I would like to get another small pet for reasons only an animal lover may understand. I really want a ferret, but have decided to not get one for several reasons. So my next choice would be some mice.

If I get some mice, I am planning on keeping them in a 20 gallon tall aquarium. I would put tons of things for them to climb around on and all their necessities. Now for some questions I'd like to learn even if I'm not getting some as I may need this information in the future you never know lol plus it is fun to learn new things  . . This is what I haven't found when researching..

1.How many female mice can I keep in a 20 gallon aquarium? To my understanding you can keep 3-4 in a 10 gal so would that be 6-8 in a 20 gal? considering my source is correct. edit: in another post someone answered my question (same one) and they are saying 4 so I will go with that 2.As a first time mouse owner, would it be a bad idea to have this many? I do however have rodent experience, gerbils, Syrians and dwarf hamsters.

I have not seen ANY mice available for adoption in my area so I have decided to buy from pet store. First I think I'll call the local aspca to make sure they don't have any mice there. If they don't I'm planning to buy one or two feeder mice and the rest "fancy". I'm sorry ..but I really like color variety no offence to the feeders they're all cute, but I'll see what happens. 3.Is it a good idea to buy feeder mice, do they have anything wrong with them? I'd think no but you never know. 4.Also, is it a totally bad idea to try and introduce (should be) female mice, feeder and "fancy"? (as I've read some fancy mice can be bigger!) I won't think about it further and will get what I can and keep the mice happy!

edit: another question - 5.About how stinky are mice, worse than hamsters, gerbils, and/or dwarf hamsters??

Other than that, please post any fun ideas for decorating the aquarium, if I get mice, I'd use carefresh bedding. I already have a few ideas, toilet paper rolls, and I've skimmed the forum and seen someone using bird ropes, toys, and hideys. Also any information beside the basic care would be very much appreciated.

Thank-you
~Fala~

[Amaranth]

I have a 20 gallon aquarium and I had 6 mice living in it comfortably, but it had space for about 8. I wouldn't put any more than that in there, but it could definitely hold more than 4 mice. However, this wasn't one of the tall tanks, just a regular long one, and floor space is what counts, so it might be better to stick with a slightly smaller number just in case. I don't think having many is a bad idea for a first-timer-- it's exponentially more fun to watch more of them running around and playing than just a pair. Just make sure you can take care of them all (though of course you already know that =P) I started out with a trio, that was a good number. But if you're thinking about 4, there's no problem with that.

Usually I think feeder mice are the same as the fancy mice. I'm pretty sure one of my local pet stores just separates by color. (There are never any PEW fancy mice, but that's all the feeders are.) BUT be a little careful. I have three babies that I bought as feeders. They were very young to have been weaned, and malnourished and a little sickly looking. One of them died within a week. I still have the other two, and although they don't have any serious health problems (that have become visible yet) they still don't look quite as healthy as my other mice. So if you do get feeders, be careful. Make sure they look very healthy, and don't try to rescue any that look sick. Feeders and fancy mice should get along just fine. They're the same thing, only feeders are mass-produced more so they're more likely to be weaker and not as healthy. Of course, not all mice will get along, no matter what kind they are. Right now I have 7 does and one of them picks on the two smallest ones (or did, until I moved them to a different tank) but the rest of them get along fine.

I've had hamsters and dwarf hamsters, but it was a long time ago, so I don't remember too well how they smelled. Mice can get smelling pretty bad. I clean my tanks exactly once a week and I keep them on aspen bedding, and I don't smell them. When I had them on carefresh, I could smell them a lot. As long as you keep their cages clean, you shouldn't have a problem with the smell. I've also heard of using a drop of vanilla in their water to keep the smell down, but I haven't tried it as I haven't felt the need to.

As far as tank decorations go...Some people have gotten pretty creative with popsicle sticks. One thing my girls seemed to like is a kleenex box with holes/windows punched in them. Just make sure you get all the plastic off of them, that can be a little tricky with some types of boxes.

Hope this helps! I'm no mouse expert, but I've been doing a lot of research since I got my girls so I hope that makes me qualified to answer your questions XD

[~Fala~]

Thank you for your reply, this helped a lot!! I really hope I am able to get some! For the smell, I plan on spot checking the cage every day . .I guess if it still smells I'll switch bedding. (staying away from cedar and pine)

[~Fala~]

After some more research I have decided mice are sadly not for me. They are so so cute, but I don't think my parents would be OK with the smell. =/ The only other pet I would consider getting would be rats, which won't be happening. My dad said I'd be getting a horse before I get rats...so yea looks like no small animals are coming my way, unless I can somehow convince my parents into rats. If anyone reads this, are rats just as stinky as mice, you'd think stinkier b/c they are bigger . . I know they are smarter, they like to interact with you, somewhat like a dog. Since rats require bigger cages does that help the smell or ..? Someone please help me out, I'm desperate lol   

[Amaranth]

Well, I have rats too XD As long as their cage is cleaned weekly, there is no smell. I have two males, both neutered. Even when I had just my three little mice, they smelled worse than my two rats. (Of course, this was back when everyone was on carefresh, and like I said, once I switched to aspen everyone smelled much better.) The rats are basically just like giant mice that want to play with you and cuddle rather than run around in their wheel.

So if smell is the issue, your parents should have no problem with rats as their cages don't get that strong smell that mice's can (but not necessarily do) have. The rats themselves actually smell really good, too, which is a plus for me, though they get kind of annoyed when I continually sniff them =P

[Topaz]

Yeah, mice are very smelly little critters.  Smelliest I've had, anyways.  My male rats have a smell to them, as well, but nothing compared to my little mice and the female rats have literally no smell (that I've noticed,) at all as long as the cage is cleaned weekly.

The biggest downside of mice vs. rats IMO is health.  I haven't had mice for very long, but have yet to have one get sick.  My rats, on the other hand, have a habit of putting me into financial debt due to tumors, URIs, UTIs, pneumonia, etc.  Mice can get sick, too, but it just doesn't seem to happen as often. 

If you convince your parents to let you have a couple rats, make sure to have a vet fund ready for emergency visits.  You'll be glad you did.

[Heartsib]

The biggest downside of mice vs. rats IMO is health.  I haven't had mice for very long, but have yet to have one get sick.  My rats, on the other hand, have a habit of putting me into financial debt due to tumors, URIs, UTIs, pneumonia, etc.  Mice can get sick, too, but it just doesn't seem to happen as often.

Goodness, yes. I loved my boys, but between the fresh treats, the vet, and their senior care/tumors they were furry little money-sinks! It cost more to keep my rats in good health for two years than it has my greyhound for four!