Keeping warm

by nenna87 Wed 20 Dec 2017, 3:11 am

Well, it's been a bit nutso for our family the last little while.
First, long story very short, our car is capoot. So no car for a bit.
Second, our heat has given out. We have someone coming to look at it, but in the meantime it is cool in here, and continues to get colder. Currently it is 14C, which is about 57F. And it will probably get colder.
We are doing what we can to keep the house as warm as possible with heavy curtains, using the stove, etc. And the mice are in the warmest area they can safely be (we have a cat)

Will they be okay? What can I do to keep them warm? I've already given them a ton of substrate (they use it as bedding alot), plus plenty of tissues, toilet paper, etc as nesting materials. Any other ideas?

Thanks guys.

by Rodents rock! Wed 20 Dec 2017, 8:55 am

Sorry you are having these troubles with the car and the heat. Never a good time for those things to happen but especially not good in the winter.

I think you are doing everything you can at this point for you mice. The extra substrate, tissues, toilet paper, etc will help keep them nice and cozy.

If you have a heating pad, maybe put it under their tank on low and covered with a towel, so it doesn't get too hot for them. But I would only do that if you are home to monitor it.

Other than that, I think they will be fine.

Good luck with your car and the heat.

Let us know how things go.

by River Wed 20 Dec 2017, 10:17 am

I also microwave a mug for a few seconds, make sure it isn't too hot for the mice, and put it in the cage when the house gets too cold. Our old house didn't have heaters at all, so the winter was hard, but it worked for us. The warmth is temporary, though.

by Peachy Wed 20 Dec 2017, 10:31 am

Eek, I hope things will turn around for you guys! Our heat went out maybe 6 or 7 years ago, but we pulled out a space heater and moved the mice a bit closer. A heating pad was my first thought, too.
With extta bedding and everyone all snuggled together, their nest should stay nice and toasty. If you do notice anyone getting too cold, pull them out for a few minutes to sit under your sweater or in your sleeve. I've had to do this a couple times this season and my mice shouldn't have even gotten that cold. It warms them up nicely, though.

by scaredymouse Wed 20 Dec 2017, 11:09 am

you can also cut of strips of fleece to put in the tank for extra warmth. It's not the most sanitary bedding but it should keep them extra warm.

by Frizzle Thu 21 Dec 2017, 12:21 am

If your supply a heating pad, only put it under a portion of their housing so that they have the option to move away from it if they get too warm. Give them lots of extra substrate to nest in, and they will be A-okay!

by nenna87 Thu 28 Dec 2017, 4:20 am

Hello guys. I figured I should come back and update you all. It has been a week now, and we just got our heat back today.

A friend brought us over a space heater and we used that in the main room of the house. We also used our oven alot to heat things up.

I transfered the mice to their portable cage. It is a crittertrail, so not ideal for long-term. But I needed to be able to move them easily. The mice went into the main room where the heater was when possible (we have a cat so someone needs to be close by to watch). I gave them a TON of substrate and nesting materials. It was actually falling out the sides of the cage because there was so much. I did include some cut up fleece, but they pushed it all to one side, choosing to use mostly the shredded newspaper I had intended as substrate. I had put it down with a layer of carefresh on top. They dug most of it out for their nest. I also included shredded construction paper I had on hand, and they piled it all in their food dish. Silly girls.

I didnt have a heating pad, but I have a crockpot that generates lots of heat. I filled it with water and plugged it in. I put it beside their tank on one side. I put a hide on that side, as well as the other side. I watched for sweating on the cage, but it didnt get any condensation.

There wasnt much room for toys, but I took them out for extra playtimes as I could. I would bring the heater into the small bathroom, get it overly warm, take the heater back to the main room, then let the mice play.

We survived the cold! The mice are thankful for all your ideas. I noticed they weren't as active over the last week, but that they ate way more food. So glad we have heat again.

by Peachy Thu 28 Dec 2017, 9:21 am

I forgot about the oven. We have ours clean itself when we need to warm up. The crock pot idea is an interesting one. I'm glad you all made it! Smile

by Rodents rock! Thu 28 Dec 2017, 9:21 pm

So happy everything worked out and that you all have your heat back!!!

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