Hi guys. I have 2 spiny mice (sisters) and need advice. I've had them for a year and a half. They're sweet. curious, act like they looove me. THEN i think i can touch them....NOT. Here's the history:
- pet store is having closing sale, i buy all three spiny mice (adults sisters big momma and stella, big momma had a tiny tiny baby) because i KNOW most people hate to buy adults because they're "not cute enough"
-everythings fine, sales lady gives me food, hay, everything i need, plus i buy a book on them because i didn't trust her (now i know why)
-i read the book, ok cool, i know the history of the critters. i let the three settle into their cage for an hour or two before i formally intoduce myself
-everythings fine, they're curious as always, sweet things, and baby loves walking onto my hand and saying hi.
-2 days later, while baby is in my hand, she starts moving less and less, i keep her in my hand thinking she's cold. my and my man watch a tv show while i keep an eye on her. then poof, she dies in my hand 30 mins later!!!!!!!!!!!!
-so i POUND the net trying to figure out what the heck happened. well....i used my leftover shavings from my mouse, it's a pine/cedar blend, and the net says cedar will kill their respiratory tracts!!!!!
-SO, i take the (dead) baby back to the store (i'm in tears, i'd never mean to hurt anything) and they give me my money back (not that i care) then i rip into the sales girl because NO ONE told me cedar would kill them, no "pine bedding only" NOTHING!!!
-ever since the day that baby died, both momma and stella HATE me
Now, yes i know animals are smart and i know they KNOW i killed their baby, they don't care if i feel bad. it's been a year and a half and i still can't put my hand in the cage, they want to eat meat, or i'm clearly unwelcome. they do not test nibble, every bite is very intentional, every bite breaks my skin and draws blood and HURTS. i give them treats all the time, they'll just bite me if i don't give it to them. i've tried everything. when i clean their aquarium (it's BIG) i don't take them out, they run around and explore and play with the brush i use to sweep up the shavings, they're hilarious, BUT no one can touch them. they bite everyone, anytime. i wear a rubber dish glove...they bite me this morning right through it. i give up. i don't know what else to do! i won't give up on them, i'll keep them until heaven takes them, but NO WAY do i try handling them, they're definitley not interested. does anyone have any advice? i don't want to give them away because they're NOT cuddly pets, they're for watching. and believe me they're fun to watch. GAH! anyone have ideas????? HELP!!
- pet store is having closing sale, i buy all three spiny mice (adults sisters big momma and stella, big momma had a tiny tiny baby) because i KNOW most people hate to buy adults because they're "not cute enough"
-everythings fine, sales lady gives me food, hay, everything i need, plus i buy a book on them because i didn't trust her (now i know why)
-i read the book, ok cool, i know the history of the critters. i let the three settle into their cage for an hour or two before i formally intoduce myself
-everythings fine, they're curious as always, sweet things, and baby loves walking onto my hand and saying hi.
-2 days later, while baby is in my hand, she starts moving less and less, i keep her in my hand thinking she's cold. my and my man watch a tv show while i keep an eye on her. then poof, she dies in my hand 30 mins later!!!!!!!!!!!!
-so i POUND the net trying to figure out what the heck happened. well....i used my leftover shavings from my mouse, it's a pine/cedar blend, and the net says cedar will kill their respiratory tracts!!!!!
-SO, i take the (dead) baby back to the store (i'm in tears, i'd never mean to hurt anything) and they give me my money back (not that i care) then i rip into the sales girl because NO ONE told me cedar would kill them, no "pine bedding only" NOTHING!!!
-ever since the day that baby died, both momma and stella HATE me
Now, yes i know animals are smart and i know they KNOW i killed their baby, they don't care if i feel bad. it's been a year and a half and i still can't put my hand in the cage, they want to eat meat, or i'm clearly unwelcome. they do not test nibble, every bite is very intentional, every bite breaks my skin and draws blood and HURTS. i give them treats all the time, they'll just bite me if i don't give it to them. i've tried everything. when i clean their aquarium (it's BIG) i don't take them out, they run around and explore and play with the brush i use to sweep up the shavings, they're hilarious, BUT no one can touch them. they bite everyone, anytime. i wear a rubber dish glove...they bite me this morning right through it. i give up. i don't know what else to do! i won't give up on them, i'll keep them until heaven takes them, but NO WAY do i try handling them, they're definitley not interested. does anyone have any advice? i don't want to give them away because they're NOT cuddly pets, they're for watching. and believe me they're fun to watch. GAH! anyone have ideas????? HELP!!