Mice are super cute house pets and are an excellent choice for those who want a small, low-maintenance furry companion. They don’t take up much space and have less demanding care needs than their larger counterparts, rats. If you’re new to keeping mice, you may have noticed that the boys have a distinctive pungent odor. If you want to know why they smell more than females, read on to discover why male mice smell.
Male Mice Urinate to Communicate
Male mice smell because their urine contains the chemical trimethylamine (TMA), which emits a pungent odor. Mice use scents to communicate, and their urine contains smells that indicate their age, sex, mating status, and identity. Male mice urinate substantially more than females because they constantly mark their territory. Mice also have scent glands that release pheromones, which have a pungent smell.
Male mice usually smell more during the first six months as they sexually mature. Many owners say that the smell becomes slightly milder with age. Being one of the pets with the shortest lifespan, six months accounts for half of their life in some individuals. Males usually smell more if you keep them close to other males or rodents because they will mark their territory more frequently. Neutering male mice can help reduce the smell in some cases, but it’s not a guarantee.
Do Pet Female Mice Smell Better than Males?
Female mice smell better than males because their urine does not contain TMA, and females have more compact scent glands. Females are also less territorial, so they generally urinate less than males. When keeping pet mice, you must know their gender before choosing them.
You shouldn’t keep more than one male in a cage because they may fight. Sometimes, brothers may tolerate each other, but two unrelated adult males will bully each other. If you keep a male alone, you must give it extra attention.
Mice are a popular pet to own, and if you want to keep male mice together or with females, you must neuter them. If you keep males and females together, they will likely have babies. Be warned, mice breed quickly – their gestation period is around three weeks, and they can have six to 12 babies in a litter. Male mice seem to form closer bonds with their owners, but in return, you may have to deal with a powerful mouse smell in your house.
Other Causes of Bad Smells in Pet Mice
Gender aside, many other factors may cause a foul smell in pet mice. It’s normal for pet mice to have a mild, musty odor, but if the smell is pungent or makes you wince, this may indicate a problem in their environment. Stressed and poorly fed mice will emit more odors than healthy ones.
Here are the primary causes of a bad smell in pet mice:
1. Stress. Pet mice have a more pungent odor when they are stressed. Living in a noisy or overcrowded environment can cause stress in mice. They may also become stressed from bullying or if they don’t have enough interaction and mental stimulation.
2. Poor diet. Urine and droppings smell stronger if mice eat too many fruits and vegetables, protein, or poor-quality food.
3. Poor hygiene practices. An accumulation of droppings and urine can create bad smells in a cage. A dirty cage is awful for a mouse’s health; you must clean the cage and its accessories often.
4. Overcrowding, which can lead to stress and a buildup of waste.
How to Address Foul Odors in Male Mice
You will never be able to eliminate the smell that comes with pet mice, especially if you keep males. Yet, there are many things you can do to keep odors to a minimum, including regularly cleaning your mice’s cage and ensuring they have a high-quality, balanced diet.
Look at the points below about how to reduce the smell from a mouse cage:
1. Neuter males – neutering isn’t guaranteed to reduce the smell, but it may help.
2. Use the correct size cage – ensure mice have enough space because overcrowding leads to stress and foul odors.
3. Keep mice in a well-ventilated room
4. Only keep females – female mice are less smelly than males.
5. Use natural, unscented bedding – natural fiber bedding is more absorbent and safer for pet mice, and mouse urine and artificial fragrances don’t mix.
6. Use odor-neutralizer granules in their cage – you can usually get these at a pet store.
7. Regularly clean your mouse’s cage – a buildup of old droppings and urine causes bad smells, so clean the cage and accessories often.
How to Clean and Maintain a Mouse’s Cage
Mice are one of the best rodents to keep as pets, and regularly cleaning their cage is essential to reduce bad smells. The best way to keep on top of cleaning is by creating a schedule and sticking to it. Never use bleach, household disinfectants, or scented products to clean a mouse’s cage because these items may prove toxic. For the best results, use a purpose-made rodent enzyme cleaner or a pet-friendly disinfectant.
Here are some suggestions about how to correctly clean and maintain a mouse cage:
1. Daily Tasks – clean wet bedding and droppings from the toilet area and replace the bedding or litter material.
2. Weekly Tasks – remove all bedding and cage accessories and wipe down the cage base and bars because male mice like to spray on them. Clean all bowls, dishes, water containers, toys, and accessories, especially fabric items. Dry the cage thoroughly before replacing the bedding and accessories.
3. Monthly Tasks – empty everything from the cage and soak the cage and its accessories in warm water and a pet rodent-friendly disinfectant. Clean and rinse everything thoroughly and air dry.
