will the silicone from an aquarium hurt them

[daniel1983]

Similar ginevive's previous post topic, I see my mice chewing at the silicone sealant in the aquarium. Does anyone know this to cause health problems?

[DRS]

Only if it is enjected in the breast and leaks.... Really I've had no problem with it. They seem to rip more of it out and didn't really eat much.

[invadertoast]

When I had pet rats all they did was chew the silicone off, I have the tanks to prove it! They all lived long, healthy lives so I can only assume it's not harmful...

[SatanicIntention]

I believe only the fumes are harmful. DRS, I don't believe it is the same kind of silicone that is used in breast augmentation. Daniel, if it bothers you, you can mix some water and alot of cayenne pepper and spread it on the sealant so it deters them from chewing. It's pretty funny when they go investigate what that new red stuff on the wall is. They get it in their nose and just go ballistic, poor little guys. I had to do that to one of my rat's water bottles when she kept chewing holes in them, neurotic little turd.

[daniel1983]

becky, i was waiting to here from you. I know you have alot of knowledge on these type of subjects. I might have to try the cayenne pepper if it gets bad again. thanks for the tip. They have stopped for now (i gave them something better to do). They really seem to love the newspaper strips I put in last night and have just forgotten about messing with everything else.

[SatanicIntention]

You can try other things like bird toys, cat toys(the little fuzzy mice are a favorite around here), rawhide chews for dogs, pig ears, paper towel and toilet paper tubes. You can also put a treat in some newspaper and ball it up really tight so they have to work for the treat. Pretty much anything, except for citrus fruits. Many times I have seen pieces of orange in with mice... They can't have it! Stupid pet store people... Hooray for kidney damage...

Anyway, like I said, pretty much anything is ok for them to chew on, even bakes pieces of wood from outside. I would take the bark off first just to be safe. Hope this gives you a few things to try to get the little boogers' minds off of the silicone.

[Ginevive]

I had to do that to one of my rat's water bottles when she kept chewing holes in them, neurotic little turd.

What an awesome idea! My rats keep chewing their water bottles up (lost 2 bottles this past week.) I am sick of buying new ones (actually I replaced one temporarily with a glass ashtray bowl.) I am going to try the pepper idea; my boyfriend always cooks spicy foods so I know we have some hanging around the kitchen!