Cannibalistic Mice

[Haddady's RnR]

So I have recently switched over to a new rodent feed called Doggy Bag. I know other breeders personally use this feed and had no issues with it. It is a 18/6 diet the same as muzuri feed.

My mice have been eating their pups and also eating each other. Does anyone else use Doggy Bag dog food as feed for your rodents? Also does anyone know if a lack of water will cause cannibalism?

[youbeyouibei]

Yes, a lack of water can cause them to become cannibalistic. As to Doggy Bag food, is that the dog food you're feeding them or does that company make a rodent food as well? I'm not familiar with Doggy Bag other than the dog food and I've only ever feed my rodents lab block and fruits/veggies with some dry cat food for the soft furs when they're nursing/pregnant, so I can't say on the food possibly being the cause. I know mice need a higher protein content than what do Norway rats, so you might look into that and check what percentage of protein/fat you're feeding them in their current food. Those are where I would start: possibly a lack of water and/or insufficient protein/fat in your current feed.

[aldebono]

I don't mean to bash the people who use Doggy Bag and have success with it, but that stuff is junk. You will spend an equal amount on good quality rodent block as the Doggy Bag from what they waste. On the rodent block, they will eat less, look and smell better.
An acquaintance was feeding her rats dog food. Her rats smelled to high heaven, had poor body tone, and were notorious cannibals. I am not sure why they cannibalize on the dog food.
My rats hated the Doggy Bag and I could barely get rid of the one bag I got.

[Kaorte]

Why not use lab block?

Also yes, lack of water will cause cannibalism. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to fill the water bottle for a few HOURS.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[MrLang]

I just came back after a 5 day vacation to see 2/3 of my rats' water bottles on the ground. Apparently the boys up top were wrestling and knocked theirs down, which hit and knocked two of the ladies' bottles down. Everybody was OK but they drank a ton of water quite frantically when I put the bottles back.


This post is terrifying.

[wilomn]

Unless Doggy Bag has changed their formula, it should be fine for your mice. They don't have it out here, but I do know other back east who use it successfully. Lack of water will bring out the cannibalism quickly, especially on younger mice.

[Haddady's RnR]

I don't mean to bash the people who use Doggy Bag and have success with it, but that stuff is junk. You will spend an equal amount on good quality rodent block as the Doggy Bag from what they waste. On the rodent block, they will eat less, look and smell better.
An acquaintance was feeding her rats dog food. Her rats smelled to high heaven, had poor body tone, and were notorious cannibals. I am not sure why they cannibalize on the dog food.
My rats hated the Doggy Bag and I could barely get rid of the one bag I got.

A bag of 9F rodent block costs me 31 dollars and a bag of Doggy bag costs me 14 dollars. My rats and ASF's look the same and smell the same amount of stink they always do

But everyone is dif

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Ya ima go with the water idea. Was just wondering what everyone one else thought on the subject.

[monk90222]

In my opinion, mice are the most miserable creatures out there. They eat their babies for a variety of reasons, no food or water just being a few....they LOVE eating the brains first...gross I know...

[Aes_Sidhe]

they love eating the brains first...gross i know...

zombies ???!!! :o

[Haddady's RnR]

rats do that do. lol rodent zombies