So I moved to Hawaii about a month ago to my Aunt's house from the mainland because we were having financial issues. She offered to let us stay with her so I can finish highschool succesfully, So that means i'll be here for the next 3 years. I had to give up all my pets which included of my cat of 3 years and 2 hamsters. I feel extremely depressed ever since, I miss my animals beyond belief and its really taking a toll on me. I don't know if i'm the only one, but I think I need animals to be happy even if its just a pet fish. Its causing me to lack the motivation to do anything, Something about having a pet really excites me and gives me that morale boost. So I had this idea about getting a pet mouse to help me get over the loss of my cat and hammies. I discussed about having a pet to my aunt already, and her only problem is the cost of having an animal, which I completely understand. So yesterday I went to my local Petco to look at prices of cages and mice. They had all these hamster cages on clearance, because apparently they wont be carrying these products anymore. I bought a "Carefresh Complete Hamster Kit" Which included of a 2-story cage, Hamster food, Chew toy, Carefresh Bedding, Bowl, Wheel, Water bottle, and Elbow tube to get to the second level, I got all this for only 5.00$. They only sold Female mice, and they were 9.00$ each. I only want one and I can afford it (I'm paying for all of this with my own saved money btw.) So in total if I get permission to get a mouse I'd only be spending 14.00$, and about 8.00$ a month on mice food and bedding, Which I can afford. Ofcourse occasionally I'll buy her some toys and chew treats, like I said money is not the problem because I didn't have to end up paying 70.00$ for a cage and utilities. So its not a money problem anymore, and I even will have more than enough to take her to the vet if needed. Second problem, No one knows I'm planning to have a mouse except for my mom who is also living here with me, Its fine with her but its not her decision to make. I only discussed the "aspect" of having a Pet with my aunt. I still have to talk to the man of the house (Her husband), he is quite fond of me and always tells me i'm a good girl, But he does not like pets especially cats and dogs. He would never let a pet stay in the house because they "Stink" and ruin furniture. However I know one female mouse shouldn't smell at all, I know to clean the cage once a week, and i'm 100% positive she isn't going to ruin furniture. However I wouldn't mind the cage outside in the backyard, its a nice yard and its fenced. The cage would be under a roof on a table and the temperature in Hawaii is mostly always neutral, In the night I would put a light cloth over the cage just in case. Now, is this okay to keep the cage outside like this? I'm waiting for a good opportunity to ask him, but I really hate asking something and being confronted with a "No" right away before I even finish. That is what i'm afraid of, I want him to listen to me before he comes to conclusions. What is a good way to convince him that a mouse is a very simple pet to take care of and I'm paying for everything myself, the cage can stay outside if needed, I've done my price checking and know how to take care of a mouse? I just feel if he says No, its going to be a very unfair answer. I never ask for money or anything. The money I have I've earned rightfully and its accumulated over the years. Does anyone else agree with me? Can someone give me any advice? I have this awesome cage and I'm more than ready for her to come and be loved/ played with everyday, otherwise i'm just going to have this empty cage sitting in my closet for the next 3 years :(.
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It would be dangerous to keep the mouse outside--way, way too many predators. All it would take is a neighbor's cat coming across it, or a hawk, owl, vulture, snake...and it would be over. Not to mention, if you're only getting one mouse, she would be WAY too lonely outside, without interaction. They are extremely social creatures. Even if she was inside around people all the time, it would only be fair that you have a pair of them to keep each other company. But to keep one lone mouse outside on a table all day and night, exposed to the elements and predators...that's just irresponsible and selfish. I know how hard it is to be deprived of animal company when you're so used to it, but you have to think about what is good and right by the animal. You have to think about their best interests, and this is not it. If you can convince them to let you have a pet inside, then go for it! But if the stipulation is that the mouse (or even mice) stay outside...I'd seriously frown upon it and ask you to look deep down inside yourself. Part of why we love animals is because we feel a partnership or a kinship with them--we know that with them beside us, we're not in this alone. But we have to be able to provide that same assurance and security to our animals if we are to benefit from it--otherwise it is an unbalanced, one-sided, unfair relationship in which the animal is not only taken supreme advantage of, but also becomes a victim. If you want the animal there to comfort you, you have to be able to provide for her comfort, as well. And that means ensuring that she has a comfortable, safe, and happy lifestyle. Please talk to your family. Let them know that as long as you change the litter regularly (not pine or cedar litter, either) and feed them a good diet, that they're really very quiet, non-smelly pets. Let them know that the cage will be kept in your room, you will take ultimate responsibility for them, and they won't be bothered with a thing. But if they still say no, please respect the decision, if for no other reason than the well being of any animal you may try to sneak in or hide. And for the next three years, see if you can get a job at a little petstore, or volunteer at an animal shelter, offer to walk dogs for people after school, etc. There's still plenty you can do to get exposure to animals without keeping one in a needlessly neglectful and abusive situation. I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to your beloved pets. I really hope you can work something out. But if not, please consider finding an alternate way to work with animals that will benefit both you and them. Good luck!
First off, mice are very social. You NEED two mice unless you can spend 24/7 holding, playing with and cuddling her. If not, get two. Secondly, you need much more then just one chew toy. Mice should ALWAYS be occupied with a variety of chews and normal toys. You also need a hideaway, this is a must so she feels secure. Mice also do actually smell, they produce their own smell that comes from their body and a bath doesn't help, it's natural, it's not from the cage. And you have to clean their cage at least every 3 days, not in a whole 7 days.. That's much to long for mice to go with a dirty cage. After all that's out of the way, make sure you do a bunch of research on mice! Sorry to say, but you don't seem to know a lot about keeping pet mice. I'd say do at least three more weeks of research on everything you can.
Now, if your uncle really is that hard to talk to, this is what I'd suggest. Write a letter asking him about keeping mice. Give it to him and let him read it. That way he'll read the whole thing before answering. Unless you have a really stubborn uncle that when he reads the word 'mice' he'll crumple it up and throw it away... Or you can get you, your mom, aunt and your uncle at the family table and talk to the whole family about it. If your mom and aunt understand, then they might help to convince your uncle into getting a couple of mice. Tell him you'll keep their cage cleaned when it needs it, you'll keep the mice in your room with the door closed so they wont be able to smell them if they do start to smell.... This is my only advise.. If he still says no, your uncle sucks xD
Edit:
Oh yes, if you really are going to keep them outside, don't get them. This is wayy too dangerous. Even if it does stay warm year round, there are all kinds of predators that are looking for food at night. Mice cannot be outside at all. This would be a terrible environment for mice. What about in the heat of the summer or the cold of the winter? You would have to bring them inside and I'm sure your uncle wouldn't appreciate that if you already tell him they will stay outside..
Ask for a fish and explain your issue. I am the same way and I know how bad it is without them. If they don't listen say they are being unreasonable, I would threaten to drop out.