Is it Okay To Buy Mice From Petco?

by Mice Are Cute Sun 27 Aug 2017, 3:27 pm

Would it be okay to buy pet mice from PetCo? My local PetSmart just stopped selling Mice! Shocked

I don' t have the option to adopt, and I don't know of any mouse breeders around me. I am intent on buying four female mice, if possible. Problem is the PetCo mice look like feeders... I am not sure if they are though. They are so tiny! Please tell me what you think!

by CallaLily Sun 27 Aug 2017, 4:06 pm

Most of my mice have been from my nearest Petco. Yes, they are sold as both feeders or pets there. My nearby store is pretty decent. Clean cages, healthy looking animals, not overcrowded, good about keeping males and females separate. They recently switched from too small mesh wheels to too small flying saucers - which is a slight improvement in my mind just because they won't have to bend quite so much. Usually they have mainly PEW mice but sometimes they get in other colors.

My nearest in state Petsmart rarely has mice, but I did purchase Seren from one that's just over in Maryland. Celyn and Rina were adopted from a guy out of state. The rest were purchased from Petco, except Daryl who was adopted from Petco. Be sure to ask about any mice up for adoption too. Smile

by AnonymousMouseOwner Sun 27 Aug 2017, 4:18 pm

It's totally up to you, what you choose. Just know that these are mice that could quite possibly be sick when you get them, and have many issues throughout their lifetime. I'm not saying all PetCo mice are going to be that way, you might get lucky! My experience with PetCo, however, has not been good. Holly, my 19 gram stroke survivor mouse with no tail is from PetCo, and she's obviously had a rough life most likely due to poor breeding. Then there was Violet from PetCo, she was sick with a URI when I got her, and I didn't have her long, I think she only lived about a week or so with me Sad

When I go to a PetCo near me, I always see several ill mice in the cages, but that's just what PetCo stores near me are like, maybe they are better in your area, who knows. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of how poorly bred and handled these mice are. It's totally up to you, and while their mice are often unhealthy, they can be very sweet! Holly is one of the tamest mice I have!

by CallaLily Sun 27 Aug 2017, 4:30 pm

Fyi, mice from any pet store can be just as unhealthy and poorly bred as petco mice. They're not bred with health in mind - only sales. Mice from a reputable breeder are the only sure fire way to avoid these risks. I agree, definitely look at how your local store takes care of their animals and go from there.

by Mice Are Cute Sun 27 Aug 2017, 5:35 pm

Thanks for information! I guess it would be fine to just pay close attention to which one's I pick, right? I will definitely ask if there are any up for adoption! I was so lucky when I bought Biggy and Grayson! They stopped selling mice only a few days after I bought them!

by CallaLily Sun 27 Aug 2017, 5:51 pm

Mice Are Cute wrote:I guess it would be fine to just pay close attention to which one's I pick, right?

I forgot to link this thread that has tips for selecting healthy mice. https://www.petmousefanciers.com/t6-bringing-your-new-mouse-home

by GGMouseCare Sun 27 Aug 2017, 11:04 pm

It's up to you, whether or not you want to adopt/purchase from a local pet store, or buy them from a breeder. If you do want to check if there are any breeders by you, here's a link to a website.

http://www.fancymousebreedersassociation.com/breeders.html

If you purchase them from your local pet store, make sure you thoroughly examine them. Some mice I've gotten from pet stores had URIs. Remember, some pet stores are better than others. So far, I didn't have a very nice experience with PetCo's mice. Smile

I advise evaluating all your options before deciding.

Best wishes!

by Mice Are Cute Wed 13 Sep 2017, 8:53 pm

Okay, now I know that I definitely will not be buying from PetCo... The PetCo around me is not great at all. The cages are crowded and dirty, and the mice have diarrhea (eww). I feel absolutely sorry for them Worry

Some locations are like that, I guess... Luckily, There is finally a new shelter near me! The shelter has already gone through quite a few mice. I'm so glad they are getting adopted! I am really leaning to buying future mice there! Cheer

By the way, I am not in the market for mice at the moment, but merely looking forward!

by CallaLily Thu 14 Sep 2017, 12:38 pm

Ewww. That's a shame. But I'm glad to hear you found a shelter with mice in need of homes.

by Mice Are Cute Mon 09 Oct 2017, 2:18 pm

Update: I may be ready for new mice soon! I am not exactly sure that this is the best idea yet, but I leaning towards new babies soon! Very Happy

I already have names and already know that I want females. Of course I am going to keep Biggy and Grayson; Don't worry about them! Here are the names I chose:

Zelda

Sputnik

Demitri

Freesia

Does anyone know of an informative 'Bringing new mice home' article or thread? I need to study up again!

by CallaLily Mon 09 Oct 2017, 2:49 pm

Congrats! Bringing Your New Mouse Home.

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