I don't think it is the dust that is problematic with cedar, but rather the oils. I am not sure of it's effect on rats but cedar is poisonous to reptiles. I wouldn't use it.



I also wouldn’t use newspaper. It will get soiled too quickly and once wet it seems to stick to everything and it does nothing to prevent odor.



I prefer aspen, either shavings or pellets, or rabbit feed. I go for the cheapest feed I can find, usually $8/50#, and use about 1” layer in the bottom of the tank/tub.



I would not trust them not to chew through holes in the sides of Rubbermaid tubs. In fact, providing a hole is inviting them to chew their way out. Also, I have had some mice and rats chew their way out of this type of tub without any holes. If there is a ridge or edge of any sort available they will chew at it until they make a hole. Many here use cat litter pan or cement mixing pans. These don’t have any of the square edges or ridges that most storage tubs do.



An exercise wheel is just a luxury. You really want your mice to be busy doing other things anyway I have found that anything I put in the tank gets covered with smelly, sticky, yellow excretions form the male marking his territory. YUCH!! If you want to give them anything give them paper towel or toilet paper tubes. These can be tossed with the litter. Some wheels are also dangerous for the mice as they can get caught between the crossbar and the wheel. I just wouldn’t mess with it.



I don’t know why your mice wouldn’t use a water bottle. I think the bowl is a real potential problem. They drag litter and feces into it making their only water source unfit for drinking. There is also the problem with the babies falling in and drowning or not being able to drink at all. I would recommend that you go with a water bottle and if they get thirsty they will learn to use it. Make sure the ball is not stuck so that water will drip when they lick and that the tube isn’t too high or too low for them to easily and comfortably be able to drink from it.



Good luck with your mice.






-----
Marcia - FroggieB Dragons

www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

[ Show Entire Thread ]