How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

by River Sat 09 Jul 2016, 6:55 pm

First; what do you use to cover the floor? I used a towel for a while but there claws are just too fine for it and they don't like it. Not like Maier walks on the towel anyways, she darts under it at the soonest chance she gets, but what should I use to cover the bathttub floor, if at all?
Secondly, they seem to get super stressed out in the bath. I carry them there in the 'Critter bath' ceramic house, covering the opening with my hands so they have that to hide in, but I still don't think they like it in there. Maier especially hates it - she'll hide underneath the towel and refuse to come out, and while I'm carrying her back to her tank, she nibbles and acts pretty uncomfortable to be out. What should I do to make them feel safer?
Any other tips would help out greatly.

EDIT: Also, Maier doesn't make any noises whatsoever in the bathtub. Nothing that I heard, anyway. Not sure if it's important or not - what's that mean?

by CallaLily Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:13 pm

Are you putting a bunch of toys in the tub for them to play with? I don't do the bath tub, I use a big bin for play time.

by scaredymouse Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:24 pm

the bathtub is too cool for their feets. you could lay down a blanket or a piece of fleece or a towel. I actually don't do the bathtub either. I have the kiddie pool with toys in it for playtime. and for taming, i usually just sit down and handle the mice carefully. when i tried it with some mice quite a while back... they didn't like it either. too much space, i guess. incidently, this is why really big aquariums are bad, mice then to get flighty. anyway, you can try putting a bunch of toys in there to make it more fun. but, it wasn't my cup of tea and my mice didn't like it, so i don't tame in the tub anymore.

by CallaLily Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:28 pm

I mostly skip the tub because it's more comfortable for me to place the bin at the right height so I can reach in easily, instead of kneeling over the tub.

by AnonONIagent Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:29 pm

I have a commercial playpen. It's a little small, but it's still larger than the mouse cage and I have some little mouse jungle gyms in it for them, as well as a wheel, chew toys, and a little hideaway. I have to watch them carefully in it, though, because the sides are barred and thus the mice can easily scale them.

Otherwise, I just remove a bunch of their toys and stuff and place the cage next to my bed since personally I can lift a full 10 gal aquarium with very little effort.

by CinnamonPearl Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:31 pm

I only use bathtubs for taming and lay down a blanket. Otherwise my mice just join me for whatever I'm doing; gaming on the couch, work at my desk, watching game grumps in bed, whatever.

by AnonONIagent Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:35 pm

CinnamonPearl wrote:I only use bathtubs for taming and lay down a blanket. Otherwise my mice just join me for whatever I'm doing; gaming on the couch, work at my desk, watching game grumps in bed, whatever.

How do you deal with their poop and pee, then?

by Peachy Sat 09 Jul 2016, 7:38 pm

I don't use the tub unless we're playing the scooping game, we usually just sit in a chair and the mice play on my lap/climb my shirt/hide in my hair.

When we are in the tub I use a towel or sheet, and just pull them out if they hide under it. It might be easier to do that with them one at a time, too.

by scaredymouse Sat 09 Jul 2016, 8:24 pm

poop and pee happens. many of us have a special mouse hoodie or robe that we wear for mouse playing. gosh it sounds gross when you type it out... but i have a little poop bowl next to me when i play with them and i'll pick up poops and flick them in there as they happen. i am dedicated to those little mice, a little poop/pee wont hurt me. if i get peed on, then i might change my clothes. or maybe not. with as many animals as i have, it doesn't really matter anymore.

by River Sat 09 Jul 2016, 8:38 pm

I'll have to get some left over hoodie or a shirt with a pocket for them, then.

I do wanna use the bathtub for training Graham, though. She put one paw on me yesterday, doesn't really 'run', but she does nibble. I guess it's progress, but taming her in the tank is hard since Maier is such an attention hog.

by River Sat 09 Jul 2016, 8:44 pm

Also, I had been using a towel, but their nails seemed to catch on it. It was like...beach-towel material. Should I try a regular bath towel?

by MouseLover Sat 09 Jul 2016, 8:52 pm

Yeah I have a "mouse hoodie" which I allow to get peed on quite a few times before I bother washing it Embarassed

But I'm only wearing it for mouse sessions, so what does it matter lol. And I usually have a piece of kitchen towel nearby to put any poops on. It all sounds so gross, but I guess when you're used to it, it just doesn't bother you Laughing

When my girls are tame they don't seem to pee/poop on me much anyway.

Re: the bath tub thing. I've only used it for introducing mice as it makes a great neutral playing ground. You can get these absorbent towels for pets, we use them to dry my dog. They are not normal towel material but almost like fleece. It might be microfiber? Anyway, I use a clean one of those. Any kind of blanket will do really - you don't need to be as strict on materials cuz you're there to supervise so they can't eat any. Just nothing they could get caught/tangled on.

by Bandit Cat Sat 09 Jul 2016, 9:21 pm

I put down a towel and a few toys, and I sit in the bathtub with him. He is never really interested in the toys though. He finds me a much better toy. Smile

by CinnamonPearl Sat 09 Jul 2016, 10:52 pm

I have a mouse robe, but it's also my regular robe. My five-year-old cousin always makes it his business to comment on the smell. Laughing

by Brynne Sun 10 Jul 2016, 1:07 am

I'd imagine that most towels would snag mouse nails because of the loops. Try a sheet instead.

I've never done bathbub training, it sounds too messy. I prefer to tame mice by first making them sit in my hands, and later letting them walk on my arms, lap and shoulders. Having a 'pee pad' of paper towels or something helps with lady mice. Return them to it often and they will get the idea. Bucks love to mark people all over, so a pee pad won't help much.

by Sponsored content

How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?

Re: How do you guys do bathtub sessions?