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(Wild) mice and rats are feared because of the diseases they carry and the destruction they can do to property and crops. The former is never an issue with pet mice/rats; the latter not an issue either if they are caged. So I don't see why you need to get so upset.
If OP says she can't stand the things, then...she can't stand the things. I'd feel the same way, if someone brought home a spider for a pet. My husband and son tease me from time to time about bringing home a tarantula some day.
IF someone brings a tarantula into my house, they better keep it out of my sight. That's all I've got to say on THAT. If it would ever get loose in my house, someone is moving out. I'm not sure who.
She needs to take it up with her husband who did it without consulting her.
Quote:
Originally Posted by arctic_gardener
(Wild) mice and rats are feared because of the diseases they carry and the destruction they can do to property and crops. The former is never an issue with pet mice/rats; the latter not an issue either if they are caged. So I don't see why you need to get so upset.
OP, I'm terrified of frogs due to a bizarre childhood trauma. They literally chill the blood in my veins. But would I freak out if a roommate brought one home? Really, no. Because I'm usually pretty rational, and I know that the frog is not going to come after me (no matter the nightmares that woke me screaming as a child - I'm not kidding).
You gotta chill on this - be an adult and don't make your child a hostage to your irrational thoughts. Your kid is terribly excited about probably one of the most pathetic pets she could have chosen. Don't dump on her joy. And for the love of all that's holy, don't do anything sociopathic like "setting it free" or whatever.
With regard to your husband, this is not a hill to die on. He could not reasonably expect you to be so terrified of a caged mouse in a child's room that it haunts your thoughts. I would let it go after you make your concerns clear to him.
And here's the thing about mice - they avoid people. Frogs and toads? Not so much. As an adult in a crowd of people at a bluegrass event in the Jersey pines, I had a the uniquely unpleasant experience of a toad crawling over my foot on its way to god knows where. They're surprisingly cold, btw. I've been around mice in barns and kennels and garages all my life - never had a close encounter with one.
I had mice when I was younger than 12. She may do like I did and branch off into hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, then cats and dogs. I'm glad your husband took her and showed an interest. She needs that type of positive reinforcement. She'll learn a lot from the experience.
She can now come with you to go grocery shopping and she can pick up litter, food, and other stuff. She could research if she has a boy or girl mouse and I do hope she didn't bring home a pregnant female! !!!
If she really gets into it she may get accessories or a bigger cage. This is good because you can encourage her to work for her money to buy what she needs. Do the chores and then the reward. It's what I did with my kids.
Yeah I get what you all are saying. Just really creeped out about it. I have told my daughter I don't want her bringing it out and it is her responsibility.
A single mouse isn't going to be a huge problem. The cage is in her room, so you shouldn't smell it in the rest of the house. 12 is old enough to clean the cage. A pet mouse has a lifespan of 1 to 2 years. You can handle having the mouse in the house for that long.
Your husband should have talked to you first, but a mouse isn't as much work as a puppy, isn't as expensive to take care of as a guinea pig or rabbit, isn't noisy like a bird (or a guinea pig), etc. It could be much worse.
In another year, she'll discover boys and forget about 4-legged rodents. You don't know how easy you have it now.
We had a fairly steady stream of gerbils, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs growing up. It wasn't till years later I found out my mother was scared of mice.
Mice aren't the greatest pets. Of the small "pocket pets" hamsters are better. Regular hamsters, not some of the other small more exotic ones. They can be more interactive. Mice really are not, plus they are um a bit more incontinent. Guinea pigs are really cute but you need to have two to be humane.
Sounds like your on a power trip with your husband. Do you need to get his permission for every LITTLE decision you make? It's a little mouse. It's confined to a cage. They are harmless, and noiseless. It makes your daughter HAPPY. What's the problem?
I'm with Steve M above.....just wait til she comes home with a 'boyfriend'. You'll pray for another mouse. Good job Dad for going the extra mile to delay the inevitable.
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