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Who's about three inches long--not including tail--and looks forward to
snacktime every day? Your mouse, that's who! While nutritionally complete
rodent chow and grass hay should make up the basis of your pet's diet, your
little guy will always appreciate a special treat or two. To ensure that he
enjoys it in the best of health, you’ll need to know what foods are good
for him--and which ones aren't.
Treats for a Pet Mouse Include Fruits & Veggies
Fruits and vegetables are excellent choices, and you should offer your
mouse small amounts of these nutrient-packed fresh foods every day. You'll
have to experiment a little to find your pet's favorites, but peas,
zucchini, carrots, cucumbers and bananas are good foods to start with. Wash
all fresh foods well, and never give your furry friend anything that's old
or spoiled. And remember, we said SMALL amounts! Your pet has a tiny tummy,
and too many fruits and veggies can cause diarrhea.
Experts also recommend that you treat your mouse to a few healthy
pinches of grains every day. His wild counterparts are mainly grain eaters,
so pretty much anything goes in this department. Try cooked or raw rice,
millet, barley and oats, or some flakes of non-sugared bran or oat cereal.
A nibble of whole-grain bread's great, too. You may want to avoid wheat,
which has been known to cause problems for some individuals.
Bad Treats for a Pet Mouse
Topping the no-no list are chocolate, cabbage, corn, uncooked beans,
onions, rhubarb, peanuts and wheat. We know that many mouse parents give
their pets sunflower seeds, but take it easy on them, please! They're very
high in fat, and too many can lead to obesity.
Even though you will have to avoid a few foods, there's quite a variety of
treats for your pet. There are even some that do double duty as interactive
playthings! Twigs and pieces of untreated tree branches will keep your
pet's teeth worn down AND give him something fun to do. Do not offer wood
from cedar, apricot, cherry and peach trees, as they are toxic to rodents.
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