New Member with Questions! :) - Paw Talk

cassper · #1 01-16-2008, 07:25 PM

Hi everyone!
I'm a brand-new member to this site, and I wanted to say hi and ask a question or two.
I'm the owner of a lovely little mousie named Satine (Satie for short). She's the first I've ever owned, although I have quite a bit of experience with hamsters. She was a gift and I love her to death.

Just wondering about her wheel, though. Currently she has an all plastic wheel, which I've heard are the best for mice so their tails won't get caught. I clean her cage at least once a week, if not more often, but I find that her wheel is very difficult to clean, as it gets lots of excrement on it even within a few days. I was wondering if any type of wire wheel is safe to use, or if there is an easy way to clean her wheel.

Thanks!

Mousey · #2 01-16-2008, 08:55 PM

Welcome to the best forum around.

. I use plastic wheels as well . I do find that using a toothbrush to clean the wheel helps get every thing off better. Congrsts on the mousie. Just curious what kind of bedding do you use?

cerulean42 · #3 01-17-2008, 12:53 AM

You could also try soaking the wheel in soapy water for 20 or 30 minutes before scrubbing it with the toothbrush. That should help get most of it off. I also find those scrub pads used to clean the insides of fish tanks are also helpful in cleaning plastic wheels. Just a thought.

Mousey · #4 01-17-2008, 02:36 AM

^^^OoOo. I never thought about using a fish tank scrubberr pad. Hmmm., I shall try this.

thanks for that idea

pinkie1205 · #5 01-17-2008, 03:38 AM

Don't use any kind of scrubby things on plastic cages. I know you guys didn't post with having one but if you use a scrubby pad on a plastic cage it'll scratch it so bad you can't see inside.

For my mice I use a mesh wheel...not the plain wired, but actual mesh which usually you can get from petco or petsmart. They come clean really easily but you have to oil them every other day so they don't squeak.

cerulean42 · #6 01-18-2008, 02:35 AM

I personally don't have plastic cages. I have aquariums with the additional top part that's wire. I completely agree, pinkie, (and thanks for the reminder) that using the fish tank scrub pad on a plastic mouse house would do serious damage and make it near impossible to see inside. However, on a plastic wheel, it's not bad because they are all opaque anyway. I find that it really doesn't seem to do damage to mine. I just use it to get to the hard to reach mouse droppings that cling to the ridges in the wheel. It does the trick to get stuff unstuck.

I know what you mean about mesh wheels. What do you use to oil yours? When I used to have them, I used vegetable oil. Just curious if there was something safer/better.

rat freak · #7 01-20-2008, 12:14 AM

I use plastic.

mulder · #8 01-20-2008, 09:02 AM

welcome!!!! for mice i'd use the wire mesh (tiiiiiiiny mish) wheels you can get from stores. or those rounded ones that come with cages. something with little resistance for their tiny legs

oh! and for cleaning i'd use an old toothbrush too. and water and vinegar. the vinegar kills the pee smell so they dont smell it later and think it's a peeing spot

cerulean42 · #9 01-21-2008, 01:14 AM

Brilliant! I hadn't thought of using vinegar to get rid of the pee smell. I think I'll try that. Thanks!

Vanilla_Rat · #10 01-21-2008, 09:58 AM

Nobody mentioned this...but you should get your mouse a female companion! Mice are very social animals and should be in at least a same sex pair,however males generally fight and only in some cases can males live together with no problems.But females on the otherhand thrive with mouse companionship.