Mice Care Sheet

Domestically raised mice are very popular pets in the United States. They are intelligent and fun to watch because they are playful, happy animals and they can make great pets! Inexpensive to feed, house and care for, you'll be surprised at how easily even you may warm up to a furry, little mouse!

Mice are timid, social and territorial animals and seem to enjoy human handling. Even though they enjoy being with humans, there is always the chance that they might bite if startled or handled roughly. It is important to interact with your mouse, so that they learn to be handled and become obedient. Most mice can become tame in a very short amount of time with gentle, regular handling. Mice are also more likely to be aggressive with a handler if housed alone rather than when housed in groups. Most experts agree that it is better to have at least two mice if you’re considering keeping them as pets. It is unnatural in any environment for mice to live alone. Those mice which are forced to live alone are generally bored, withdrawn, lonely and miserable. Although experts say to house mice together, they can be aggressive toward one another so great care must be taken when housing more than one mouse within the same enclosure.  Newly assembled male groups and new males entering established territories, in particular, are likely to fight, so it is wise to always house male mice separately.  Domestic female mice seldom fight unless they are defending their nests.

Much like other animals, mice have their own individual personalities. Some will love to run on wheels and act playful, while others will be shy, and prefer to build a comfortable nest in which to hide. Owners will need to pay careful attention to their mouse's personality, in order to provide the proper materials and care. For those mice that love to run on a wheel for exercise, provide a sturdy wheel for their entertainment to keep them happy and fit. For your entertainment and greater freedom for your mouse, you can also purchase a clear plastic ball that your mouse can run around the house in.  Be sure that your mouse does not use the ball in direct sunlight as it can overheat and it is best not to let your mouse roam in the ball for more than 10 or 15 minutes.

Your mouse’s home is very important to him. Before buying a cage, you should consider where in your house you will put it. You will want to choose a place where the temperature stays between 68 and 72 degrees. It should also be a place that is draft free and not in direct sunlight. Your mouse also enjoys quiet time for rest, so keep this in mind when picking a spot for your cage. When buying a cage, there are many choices. In general, you should choose a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 12 inches deep and 12 inches high. It should be gnaw proof, free of sharp edges, give adequate ventilation and have secure closures and doors. Thin plastic or wood cages should not be used. Wire, stainless steel, durable plastic and glass can all make a good, sturdy cage. However, plastic and glass can lead to ventilation, high humidity and temperature problems. You should choose a cage with a solid bottom and enough room for about 1 inch of bedding for normal burrowing behavior. There are also many choices for bedding. You should choose a clean, non-toxic, absorbent and relatively dust free bedding. It should be changed frequently to keep your mouse’s home clean and odor-free. Some good choices of bedding are shredded paper, processed corn cob, cotton, and shredded tissue paper. Avoid using cedar bedding because of the respiratory and liver problems that it may cause.

Proper feeding is of great importance to the welfare of your mouse. Proper feeding keeps a mouse healthy and resistant to different kids of diseases. Mouse food needs to be available at all times and replaced as needed. Mice are omnivores and usually eat at night. A mouse’s diet should consist of a good quality food. A commercially made pelleted food is recommended. There are formulated seed diets, but they should not be used as the sole food source. The seed diet can be used as treats along with dry, healthy, low sugar cereals (puffed wheat/rice/shredded wheat etc.), plain popcorn, dry oatmeal, spaghetti, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole wheat bread. Treats should not exceed 15% of the total volume of food for the day. Remove any uneaten fresh food after 24 hours. Never offer your mouse treats between the bars of the cage. This could teach your mouse to bite or nibble things pushed through the cage like your fingers. Water should be provided in water bottles equipped with sipper tubes. The sipper tube keeps the water free from contamination. These water bottles should be positioned low enough in the cage to allow for easy access. The bottle should also be emptied, cleaned and refilled with fresh water daily.

Mice are fairly easy to care for because they have inexpensive upkeep.  Their temperament can be fun but they may bite on occasion.  Mice can be trained and will display some recognition of their owner.  Although mice do not require you to exercise them, they love to run endlessly on an exercise wheel and are always busy keeping house.  Mice make great pets, but be prepared because their life expectancy is usually between 3-5 years. Owning a mouse can be a lot of fun. Be sure to consult a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about getting a mouse.