MICE
Mice are delightful animals that are inquisitive and become tame with appropriate handling . They are social creatures so it is important that you house at least two together , however be mindful that they are prolific breeders so it is best not to keep a male and a female . Mice are nocturnal by nature so usually spend their day sleeping and become very active at night-time .
Due to their small size , mice need to be handled carefully – do not pick ia mouse up by the tip of its tail . The best way is to usher the mouse gently to the cage corner and gently grasp the base of the tail and raise the mouse up while supporting its weight on your other hand . Do not pick your mouse up by the body as you may accidently break a bone . This is especially important to teach children who may accidently squeeze them too hard , and make sure that any child handling a mouse is well supervised . Mice do tend to have a higher likelihood of biting compared to rats , and due to their speed are not really recommended for small children .
Mice are active and enjoy playing so make sure your mouse has access to an exercise wheel , tubes and climbing frames / blocks . Incorporating new environmental stimuli on a regular basis will encourage exercise and also reduce boredom .
When cared for correctly , mice are odourless . If your cage smells this is due to poor hygiene / cleaning . A cage needs cleaning at least once a week with an animal-safe disinfectant , giving special attention to corners . Food bowls also need to be cleaned regularly with fresh water and feed supplied daily .
Mice are relatively hardy pets and rarely get sick , however signs like a depressed attitude , a ruffled coat and / or loss of appetite are a few symptoms to watch for . Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your pet mouse is unwell , so getting to know your mouse ’ s behaviour and mannerisms may give an insight into overall health . Any change from your mouse ’ s “ normal ” pattern can indicate impending illness . The most common infection is respiratory illness so it is important to reduce dust in bedding material and place the cage out of any direct drafts .
Like with all domestic pets , obesity can become a problem as mice will eat almost anything they are offered . It is important to feed your pet mice a high-quality commercial mouse food that is balanced and contains essential vitamin and minerals . Treats of sunflower seeds or fresh vegetables are to be given on occasion .
Mice are natural prey for many domestic pets ! It ’ s best to keep them separate at all times .
Bluehead Snowy is our very own rescue rabbit , a New Zealand White now living the life of Riley . We took Snowy to the team at our local vet clinic , VetCARE Kaikoura , for a check-up and his calicivirus vaccination . While there we asked Rebecca Fleming , the clinic owner , a few questions .
How often should your rabbit have a vet check ? Every six months if your rabbit has general good health , and every year get a calicivirus vaccination .
What do you look for when performing a vet check ? We check a number of things such as weight , teeth and claws . We look for bright , clear eyes with no discharge , feel the coat which should be smooth and shiny , and also look for any lesions , bumps or lumps .
What do you recommend for a healthy diet ? Rabbits need a supply of grass they can eat at their leisure alongside good quality grass hay . Fresh veges like kale , spinach and wild plants such as chickweed and dandelion will complement their diet alongside a good commercial pellet . As with all things , moderation is key , and look at using treat items such as apple or carrot as environmental enrichment .
What are signs of illness in a rabbit ? If you notice eye discharge , abnormal faecal pellets ( poo ), stopped eating or any sort of lameness then get your rabbit to your vet . Also rabbits need to continually feed so if your rabbit has gone off its food then it needs to visit the vet immediately . A rabbit ’ s health can deteriorate quickly so if you ask the question “ should I take him to the vet ” then , yes , take him .
Do we need to be careful about what we use to clean the hutch ? Yes , rabbits have very fragile skin so you need to steer clear of any caustic cleaners such as bleach .
Are rabbits a suitable pet for children ? Rabbits make lovely pets but children need to learn how to handle them correctly . A frightened rabbit can kick out and either scratch a child or break its own leg due to its power . I would recommend parental supervision with very small children .
What would be your best tip for a new rabbit owner ? Apart from having a good setup , learn how to handle your rabbit correctly and do so often . A well-handled rabbit is much easier for vets to perform health exams on .
VetCARE Kaikoura Phone . 03 319 5693 57 Beach Road | Kaikoura