Mouse tub furnishings?

[CntrlF8]

What should I put in the tubs with them to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe?

Another problem I'm having is my cats.. I can't seem to keep them off of the shelves my tubs are on! I'm constantly having to chase one or more of them off of the tops of the tubs. Do you think that'll ultimately foil my breeding plans, or do you think since the cats can't actually get to the mice they'll be ok?

[xdeus]

I just shred up some newspaper and they seem perfectly content to make a nest to hide/breed in.

You might have a problem with your cats, though. Mice seem to be more prone to stressors while breeding. It might help to cover up any exposed sections of the cage with newspaper.

[max123]

I put old butter contaners for hides. I also cut the left over cardbord paper towel rolls and throw them in there. For the nest I will give them ripped up papper towels or tissues.

[ctrlfreq]

What should I put in the tubs with them to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe?

We tend to put a couple small hides (just like with the snakes), some torn up paper, and a mouse wheel in each tub. The safe part, I've found, is more about leaving them alone than anything in particular you can provide them with.

I'm constantly having to chase one or more of them off of the tops of the tubs. Do you think that'll ultimately foil my breeding plans, or do you think since the cats can't actually get to the mice they'll be ok?

We have ferocious hunters ourselves, and they will snap up mice whenever they get a chance. The biggest thing to remember is that cats are cats, and they will be curious. If you have them where cats can get to the tubs of mice, then make sure they are secure, and not able to be knocked over etc. It won't take long for the mice to get used to the cats and not see them as a threat, as long as the cats can't get to them (ie. knocking over the bins etc).

[CntrlF8]

We have ferocious hunters ourselves, and they will snap up mice whenever they get a chance. The biggest thing to remember is that cats are cats, and they will be curious. If you have them where cats can get to the tubs of mice, then make sure they are secure, and not able to be knocked over etc. It won't take long for the mice to get used to the cats and not see them as a threat, as long as the cats can't get to them (ie. knocking over the bins etc).

Yeah, I've got one that's REALLY into the mice. She sits on top of the tubs and "plays" with them for hours at a time unless I squirt her with the water bottle. She's also just under a year old, so she's really curious about anything that moves. The others are all adults, 10+ years old, and while they'll sit and watch they seldom do anything. Honestly, I think they sit and watch because they think the younger cat is funny thinking she can get to them...