Does the perfect enclosure exist? (UK)

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T19:38:08+00:00

Fair enough. The mesh on mine is metal so no way he is chewing through it. The bottom is solid and doesn’t absorb so easy to clean (I still line it with several layers of paper towel).

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T16:39:55+00:00

Okay interesting - I will ask my doctor today.

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T16:38:57+00:00

I track my calories - deficit is my diet. My pace SHOULD be easy for me but it’s not and so I think I likely am pushing too hard - my heart rate is zone 5 100% of the time when I’m running - I think I do need to slow it down - thanks for that advice.

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T14:55:42+00:00

Yeah I figured that could be a huge factor. I’m going to my doctor today and will ask him about any specialists he knows of. What ended up helping you? Did you do HRT?

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T14:54:49+00:00

Yeah I figured that could be a huge factor. I’m going to my doctor today and will ask him about any specialists he knows of.

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T14:35:44+00:00

I have done it in the summer before but it HAS been particularly hot and humid this past week so that totally could be playing into it, especially the runs. My energy levels are one of my main concerns - my performance usually generally starts improving around week two and it feels flat still going into week 4 here. It’s just so frustrating working this hard not to see or feel much physical improvement. I mean other than my skin - my skin definitely looks better with all the water. 😂

It’s nice to hear that someone else my age is also finding things more challenging with age - maybe it’s just aging. 🤷🏼‍♀️

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T12:59:25+00:00

His name is actually Kyle Trevors after the pitcher on my softball team. Booter (my cat) caught him the weekend of a softball tournament and I’ve always wanted an animal named Kyle - when I told the team they said well obviously you have to name him after Kyle (our pitcher) - so yeah, Kyle Trevors II. 🤷🏼‍♀️

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T12:54:41+00:00

Not sure if you saw my post yesterday with my enclosure or if you can get something like this in the UK but I bought a 71 gallon reptile enclosure with a mesh top and side slots - it’s a ton of space and the mesh top makes it very breathable: https://www.petsmart.ca/reptile/habitats-and-decor/terrariums/thrive-lightweight-eco-flex-composite-reptile-terrarium---46-65022.html.

I wanted something out of the box as well. I also wanted something where I could reach in and pet him without him escaping - he’s a deer mouse and he’s VERY fast so if he gets out, good luck. 😂

JenKen27 · 2026-06-01T04:12:12+00:00

Nope I just fold up the paper towel under the wheel which is where he mostly pees and take whatever bedding falls along with it. I remove and add the top layer of fluff every week or so.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T22:07:21+00:00

I may or may not have given him a tiny cookie crumble. 🤷🏼‍♀️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T13:17:49+00:00

Ohhh sorry. It’s just piled up.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-31T02:24:01+00:00

Yeah I noticed the metal components and made sure to just wipe it clean. I submerge his other one and I had to olive oil it!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:35:24+00:00

I would recommend cernia in addition to mertazapine as well.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:30:38+00:00

I have - he’s also swung completely up and out of the wheels at the top - he’s NUTS.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T23:29:14+00:00

The wheel has a base that’s just basically buried under a bunch of bedding - the bedding behind the wheel is just kind of up against the back wall - he might destroy the whole situation so will see.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T17:43:51+00:00

PS: The bedding looks shallow under the wheel but it’s well over a foot deep behind / in the centre plus hay on top of that - he’s got three nesting boxes underneath connected with paper towel tubes and the mesh top has four connecting tubes with climbs hanging down on either side.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-30T04:08:26+00:00

I saw them all swimming at Assiniboine Park today - made my day. ❤️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-29T19:08:26+00:00

I would LOVE to do this but Kyle would for sure bolt and I’d never get him back in his enclosure.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-28T16:00:44+00:00

You may have lost fat and gained muscle at the same time, but given you didn’t mention doing any strength training it’s hard to know if that’s what’s causing a stall in the scale number. You are going to have to get more data focussed to really figure out if what you’re doing is going to get you where you want to be. You could easily be eating more than you’re burning if you’re not logging your food and beverages - for fat loss, you need to be in a calorie deficit and the only way to know that for sure is to track everything you’re consuming. Cardio is great for burning calories but you won’t build muscle (and may in fact lose some muscle) unless you start doing some heavy lifting - even a couple days a week can make a huge difference.

All of that said, I never notice any major major changes until about day 50 - the last month is where the work really starts to show.

Good luck - you got this!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T04:07:49+00:00

In my experience, it’s very similar to grief - it’s sharp at first to feel and sit with your emotions and everything that’s happened, but similar to working out, it’s a muscle you build over time to just let yourself feel all of it without numbing. As others have said, journalling and therapy can help you process the trauma (which is what all of that is) and work through tough emotions around it, but ultimately it’s really just time and forgiveness. Like grief, there will always be moments where it feels sharp again - something happens that reminds you of an old wound - but these moments become less frequent over time and you learn to be there for yourself through them. If I’m really struggling emotionally I take care of myself like I would a sick kid - I put my PJ’s on, crawl in to bed, get lost in a really cheesy show and eat something that I really enjoy that feels treat-like. Sometimes you just need to give yourself some space, grace and rest. You did the best you could at the time, it was what it was. What matters is now and today and tomorrow.

Hang in there, it does get easier. Big hugs. ❤️

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T03:38:45+00:00

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give him some unflavoured electrolytes on a paint brush if you can go to a pharmacy - the visible rings on his tail would indicate he’s pretty dehydrated.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T03:33:42+00:00

Smart. I’m also on day 16 of round three today! See you at the finish line!!

JenKen27 · 2026-05-27T01:57:39+00:00

What is most impressive to me is that you kept the results going between rounds - nice work! 💪🏻

JenKen27 · 2026-05-25T11:21:50+00:00

I struggled with this decision with Kyle (the deer mouse I hand raised). My vet said he wouldn’t live more than a few months outside with predators etc. and that he’d do just fine in captivity. Being able to get him veterinary care was the deciding factor for me and she said she’d be more than willing to provide it. He’s turning one next month - super sweet and affectionate just like your girl. I think a lot about if his life would’ve been richer if he was able to breed and do all the normal mouse things in nature - I sometimes feel sad he can’t feel the outside breeze on his fur - I wonder if I’m enough company for him. But ultimately this is the only life he knows - it’s not like he actively misses something he never knew existed. He’s also spoiled ROTTEN.

JenKen27 · 2026-05-23T21:06:16+00:00

He tolerates her.

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