Feed baby mice every two hours. This can become tiresome, but it’s what’s necessary to keep them alive until they’re weaned. If there’s another nursing mother nearby, they should be nursed by her. Mice are good mothers and will nurse babies that aren’t their own. Assuming there’s not a nursing mother nearby, the best things you can give the babies are goat milk or kitten formula. Do not try to feed them cow milk, as it’s very hard to digest.
The best way to do this is with a warm, damp washcloth. Do this each time the mice feed until you notice that they urinate on their own after eating.
The mice must be kept warm at all times. A good option is a plastic critter carrier lined with a towel. Then, place either a hot water bottle or an electric heating pad (set on the lowest setting) under the towel. Give the mice a cooler area within their space that they can move to if they get too hot.
Pedialyte is excellent for helping baby mice stay hydrated and recover from diarrhea. Feed it to the babies with a dropper.
Rodent blocks are available at pet stores and can be crushed up and put inside a dropper. Place a slice of apple or a peeled grape near the babies so that they can practice chewing and eating solid food.
Fresh water always available via a bottle Removing leftover, uneaten food from the cage each time you feed the babies Cleaning up any messes they make, as well as feces in the cage
Some people even let their mice sit on their shoulders while they go for a walk or a bike ride!
Get down to the same level as your mouse’s cage. That way, the mouse won’t always see you as a giant towering over it.
Put a treat in the palm of your hand and lower your hand into the cage slowly. The treat can be a piece of fruit or a rodent treat from the pet store. Wait for the mouse to approach you. Let it take the treat. This will teach the mouse to consistently approach you and that your hand is safe.
If you’re going to use the tail to pick up your mouse, do so by the very base, and only do so for a moment. It can be quite painful for a mouse to be held or dangled by its tail.
Always try to end the holding session on a positive note. For example, if the mouse urinates on you, or bites you, and you immediately put it back in its cage, it will learn that those behaviors will get it to go home. Instead, aim to put the mouse back after a desired behavior, such as approaching food in your hand, or remaining still for a long moment.
You can buy mouse traps that will simply catch the mouse without causing it any kind of injury. Once you’ve caught the mouse, an aquarium or small rodent cage will do. Make sure the mouse has comfortable bedding, fun toys or furniture to play on, and a water bottle.
Put your hand (with a treat on it) into the cage. Let the mouse approach and come onto your hand to get the treat.
Give the mouse treats while it crawls on you. This will give it positive associations with you. Do this as often as you and the mouse have the patience for. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll tame your mouse.
Continue practicing and picking up the mouse without gloves until it’s easy and the mouse feels comfortable.
