Cures for a Constipated Mouse

Pet mice live 1.5 to 2.5 years and, if given good food, clean water and space to play, can lead quality lives. They do encounter health problems that can be tough to diagnose. If you do not have experience raising mice, or if your mouse is having a health problem, take it to a veterinarian. Mice can die from constipation very quickly, so do not hesitate to see a vet as he can prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms.

  1. Feeding

    • Stop feeding the mouse cow's milk, as they have a hard time digesting this. Switch to either milk for newborn human babies or, preferably, to kitten replacement milk, which you should dilute to double the package recommendation. Do not feed the mouse "wet" foods. A healthy diet for mice should be oats, seeds or store-bought mouse food. Ensure your mouse is not eating foods meant for other small mammals, nor should it eat peanuts, acidic vegetables or fruits, raw meat or chocolate.

    Massage and Grooming

    • Massage the mouse's belly with a Q-tip until the mouse poops. While this may sound over-the-top, a constipated mouse can die from all the blockage, so massaging its belly is a critically important task. Mother mice groom the genitals of their young to facilitate bathroom use, so also try dribbling warm water on the mouse's genitals and wiping gently with a Q-tip.

    Tinctures and Medications

    • Try a home remedy such as feeding the mouse a drop of extra virgin olive oil or feeding it a teaspoon that is 1/2 karo syrup and 1/2 water. Do not force-feed the mouse. If neither of these home remedies work, you must take the mouse to a veterinarian for prescription medication that will ease its constipation.

    Prevention

    • If the constipation is not very severe or only comes on occasionally, the best cure is prevention against a future bout. Try adding a small amount of dissolving fiber to the mouse's water and feeding the mouse more high-fiber foods such as oats and non-acidic fruits and vegetables. Green vegetables are one of the best preventative foods. Lack of water can also lead to constipation, so ensure the mouse's water vessel is always full.