Buzz
For a long time, mice have been affectionately called "low-maintenance puppies" because of their intelligence and loyalty. While there are hardly any pets that don't require attention, mice are surprisingly easy to care for and much more engaging than fish or hamsters. A mouse, adaptable and cheerful, makes for a sweet, curious, intelligent companion who always interacts with its owner. This fascinating creature is a dream pet for many, and if you're considering adopting one, the first thing you should do is prepare a clean, comfortable home. Regardless of a pet's size, proper care is essential.
Steps
Deciding to Adopt a Mouse
Consider the Time Commitment Mice usually live for about 2 to 3 years, sometimes longer. So, make sure you're ready to care for them during their lifespan.
- Think about the time you'll need, not just for basic care. This includes keeping their cage clean, feeding them regularly, and taking them to the vet if they're sick.
- Make plans for someone to look after your mice when you're away. It can be challenging to find someone who feels comfortable caring for them (many people are overly cautious), so it's a good idea to have 3 or 4 potential caretakers in mind. Some pet stores also offer pet-sitting services.
Consider Other Pets. If you already have a pet, especially a cat, it's important to think about whether introducing a new pet mouse would work well. Research how to introduce a new friend to your existing pets. Otherwise, you may need to place the mouse cage in an elevated area or in a separate, closed room to keep other animals from reaching it. This could be the best approach to ensure a peaceful coexistence between your mice and other pets.
- Cats are a particular concern. They enjoy hunting rodents, including mice. So, you might unintentionally put your mice in danger by tempting your cat.
Get to Know Mice First. Before bringing a mouse home, try visiting people who already have pet mice. Some people may not enjoy certain characteristics of these animals, so make sure you're fully comfortable with them before committing to ownership. There are various types of mice, such as tailless, hairless, or tiny species.
- Mice kept in clean environments usually don't smell much, but they have a unique body odor that not everyone may find pleasant. Before adopting, ensure you're not allergic, or alternatively, find a good bedding material that absorbs odor. Remember that toxic chemicals and pine wood shavings are harmful to mice—pine resin can damage their lungs.
- Similarly, some people might be put off by the fidgety behavior of mice. Their tiny claws can be ticklish! Also, in the beginning, their tails might seem strange to you. Take the time to bond with your mouse to become familiar with its habits and body.
- Prepare a spacious, well-ventilated, and safe cage. A wire mesh cage is preferable to a glass one because it allows better air circulation. Be cautious with glass cages, as they can lead to respiratory infections and even death. Ensure the cage floor doesn't have sharp wires, as they could cause foot injuries. For wire cages, the spacing between bars should be between 1.5 to 7.5 cm.
Consider the Risk of Cancer in Mice. Unfortunately, cancer is a common illness among mice, which can shorten their lifespan. While not every mouse will develop tumors, it's still a factor to be aware of. Female mice that have not been spayed are at a higher risk of cancer. Other causes include mites and respiratory infections.
- Consider your financial ability to pay for surgery if your mouse develops a tumor that needs removal. If the answer is no, be prepared to make the difficult decision to humanely end your mouse's life while it's still young, to avoid future pain. If you're not comfortable with this, then mice may not be the right pet for you. The most important thing here is the responsibility of the owner.
Decide on the Right Number of Mice to Keep. In the wild, mice live in groups, so it's recommended to adopt more than one mouse, ideally at the same time.
- A single mouse will often seek constant interaction to avoid loneliness. Therefore, it’s best to get two or more. Even if you spend a lot of time with them, they'll still feel lonely, so get another one if possible. Your mouse will appreciate it.
- A better option is to adopt multiple mice so they can keep each other company. If you go this route, it’s a good idea to buy them from the same place at the same time to minimize issues with quarantine or socializing. Introducing mice to each other can be difficult, especially with unneutered male mice, who are territorial.
- Don’t be intimidated by the thought that keeping two mice will be more work than one. In reality, you'll find it easier to care for two or three mice since they’ll be happier with each other. The difference in food and bedding requirements is minimal. The biggest challenge might be trying to hold all of them when you go for a walk!
- Likewise, if you're keeping multiple mice, it's best to choose the same gender, otherwise, you might inadvertently create a breeding situation. If you're not into breeding or fully understand what you're doing, it's better not to breed your mice.
- Some veterinarians will neuter mice. If you accidentally end up with a male and a female, ask the vet to neuter the male. However, remember that neutering can be dangerous for mice due to anesthesia risks.
Buy Mice from a Breeder or Rescue Center. It's a good idea to purchase mice from breeders or rescue organizations, as they have expert knowledge about mice and can assist in finding the right one. Buying from a breeder or rescue is typically better than purchasing from pet stores, which can introduce health issues that lead to higher long-term care costs.
- Before choosing a mouse, make sure to research the breeder or rescue organization to ensure they take good care of the animals and maintain healthy conditions.
- Mice found in pet stores are often sourced from mass breeding facilities and may not receive proper attention. If you choose to buy from a store, avoid mice showing symptoms such as red discharge around the eyes and nose, wheezing, open wounds, lethargy, cloudy eyes, or diarrhea.
- Male and female mice are often housed together in pet stores, which can lead to unexpected breeding. If you only want one or two mice, be cautious, as you may quickly end up with more than you planned. Make sure to check the gender when purchasing. If you decide to stop keeping them, that's okay!
Set Up the Mouse's Home
Buy a Suitable Cage. Opt for a cage with a solid floor, ramps, and slides. A metal wire floor can cause foot injuries if not cleaned properly. If you're keeping two mice, a cage of about 18 x 28 x 31 cm should be sufficient. Avoid using containers, as the buildup of ammonia inside them can be harmful to mice.
- Each mouse should have at least 60 square cm of space, but 75 square cm or more is preferable.
- The gap between the wires should not exceed 1.9 cm for adult mice and 1.25 cm for baby mice. If the gaps are wider, consider adding mesh to narrow the spacing. The wire bars should be coated to protect them from urine corrosion. Mice are excellent climbers, so make sure the cage is secure enough to prevent them from escaping.
- Another option is a perspex cage, such as the Rotastak. These cages usually have a colored base that provides a sense of security for the mice and transparent walls for easy viewing. The modular design allows you to create a fun, customizable space for your mice. Cleaning is simpler than with wire cages due to the smooth surface of the plastic.
Provide Food and Water. Create a designated area for your mouse to eat and drink, using separate bowls for food and water, or a pet-specific bottle. Always ensure that there's enough food and water, especially if you have multiple mice, to avoid competition for resources.
- A pet water bottle is ideal because it keeps the water clean and securely attached to the cage, preventing spills. Opt for a glass bottle since mice won't be able to chew through it.
Choose Appropriate Bedding. The bottom of the cage should be covered with soft, absorbent material.
- Use wood shavings for bedding in store-bought cages, but avoid pine or cedar shavings as they can release toxic fumes when mixed with urine. These materials are also dirty and contain oils that can irritate the respiratory system, so it's best to stay away from them. Wool or soft towels are good alternatives, especially for covering metal wire floors. However, they should be cleaned once or twice a week depending on how many mice you have. Shredded paper bedding is another option, though it’s expensive and may have a smell. Newspaper works well, but the ink can stain light-colored mice. Hay can get dirty quickly and give off an unpleasant odor when combined with urine.
- Another option is Carefresh, a bedding made from cellulose available at pet stores, or recycled paper bedding like Yesterday's News. Avoid using homemade paper, as the ink can harm your mice.
Build a Cozy Nest. Mice naturally seek shelter in moments of vulnerability, such as when they are resting, so it’s important to provide them with a space to hide and sleep.
- You can purchase a simple plastic cage from a pet store or get a wicker ball with holes. These items mimic what mice would naturally seek in their wild environment.
Provide a Litter Box. Similar to dogs, mice do not like to soil their eating or sleeping areas, so you can take advantage of this trait to create a designated bathroom area for them.
- Mice litter boxes are small plastic containers with holes or corner-cut plastic boxes. For bedding material, you can use pine wood shavings, newspaper, or Carefresh (approximately 2.5 cm thick) under the mouse’s bathroom floor.
- Place the litter box in the corner opposite their nest and eating area. Most mice will quickly understand the purpose of the box and appreciate having a clean area. For the best results, observe if the mouse naturally chooses a corner for this purpose before placing the box, but some mice may not be as organized, so placing the box directly can still be effective.
- Setting up a bathroom area for your mice also makes cage cleaning easier. You can clean the litter box every few days, spray it with a pet-safe disinfectant (vinegar also works), and refill the bedding material.
Provide Toys for Entertainment. Equip the cage with toys, hammocks, and hiding spots to keep your mice entertained.
- Mice love to have things to do, and they will engage with these toys when you’re not around.
- Toilet paper rolls, cat toys, ping pong balls, hammocks... mice enjoy all of these, along with any other small objects you can add for their amusement. Look around your home for small items and make the cage into a real home (be sure the items are not small enough to be ingested or cause choking hazards).
- Avoid string-like or chain toys, as they could lead to choking. Be mindful when selecting toys and ensure that nothing in the cage could pose a danger to your pets.
Maintain the Health of Your Mice
Consistently Provide Food and Water. Check the food and water levels at least twice a day. The food bowl may be knocked over, or bedding may fall into the water, so it's important to keep an eye on it.
- If using a pet water bottle, make sure to replace the water daily and disinfect the nozzle at least twice a week.
- Provide your mouse with 12 ml of rodent-specific mixed food daily. This food is highly nutritious and combines grains in a way that prevents the mice from picking out the tastiest but least nutritious pieces (which would otherwise leave the less desirable portions behind).
- Offer fresh food like fruits and vegetables as part of their balanced diet. Mice share similar nutritional needs with humans and can eat almost anything. Make a list of foods that they shouldn’t eat, and anything not on the list is safe for them. Mice can even enjoy chocolate! Giving them a small piece of fruit or a little leftover meal once or twice a day will keep them happy and healthy.
- Mice also love sweets and cheese, but sugary treats can lead to tooth decay, and fatty foods can cause weight gain and sluggishness, so it’s best to limit these.
Keep the Cage Clean. Regular spot checks will ensure the cage stays clean, and a thorough weekly cleaning will contribute to your mouse's health.
- For spot cleaning, consider purchasing a small plastic or metal scoop, similar to those used for cleaning cat litter. Use it to scoop up dirty bedding, then dispose of it by sealing it in a plastic bag. Get rid of any damp, soiled, or smelly wood shavings.
- Clean the cage thoroughly at least once a week. Place your mouse in a separate box or a safe area away from cleaning tools. Remove all items from the cage and discard the old bedding. Wash everything using a mixture of vinegar and soap, scrubbing from top to bottom, and then dry it. It's a good idea to have separate sponges, buckets, and towels designated just for cleaning the cage.
- Use disposable cloths to wipe down the surfaces of the cage, then scrub and dry it. Once cleaned, you can add fresh bedding and replace any necessary items.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, which can harm your mouse’s sensitive respiratory system if inhaled. Instead, use pet-friendly disinfectants like Nil-Odor, or look for any safe disinfectants at your local pet store or veterinary clinic.
Maintain the Right Temperature. Ensure your mouse is not exposed to drastic temperature changes or dryness. The ideal temperature range is between 18°C and 23°C.
- On particularly hot days, provide your mouse with cool, shallow water (about 1.5 cm deep) to play in. During colder weather, add extra bedding so your mouse can burrow and stay warm.
Watch for Signs of Illness. Caring for your mouse includes being attentive to potential health issues. Common symptoms include loss of appetite, excessive thirst, pinkish urine, diarrhea, weight loss, labored breathing, wheezing, and discharge from the eyes or nose.
- Inspect your mouse weekly for any signs of skin tumors or injuries.
- Pay attention to their skin to ensure there are no red rashes or excessive scratching.
- Mice may contract parasites from bedding, so watch for signs of skin irritation or fungal patches.
Take Your Mouse to the Vet. If you suspect your mouse is unwell, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
- It’s wise to plan ahead and find a vet who specializes in small rodents before adopting a mouse, or at least while your mouse is still healthy.
- Ask pet store owners or fellow mouse owners for recommendations. You can also ask for suggestions on online pet forums where people often share their positive (or negative) experiences with small pet healthcare.
- Contact your chosen veterinary clinic to ask if they have experience with mice.
- You can also inquire whether the vet owns any small rodents, as firsthand experience with these animals can help them understand the concerns of pet owners more effectively.
Keep Your Mouse Happy
Ensure Your Mouse Is Well Monitored. Place your mouse's cage in an area where you frequently spend time, allowing them to observe the happenings around them. This will help them feel less abandoned.
Spend Time with Your Mouse. The more time you dedicate to them, the more your mouse will feel cared for, active, healthy, and happy. Living alone can be quite lonely for them, which may lead to behavioral problems. Unless your mouse is very aggressive, it’s best not to leave them alone. Even if they are aggressive, love and attention can help them feel better.
- Care for your mouse daily, ideally 2-3 times a day for at least ten minutes or more.
- Mice love to explore and solve problems, so consider setting up little obstacle courses to mentally stimulate and train your mouse.
Teach Them Tricks. Start by teaching your mouse tricks slowly, and then reward them as they follow through, gradually increasing the training and praise.
- Mice are quite intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks, such as jumping through a hoop, spinning in a circle, standing up, and even shaking paws, all in response to your commands.
- Don’t punish them for mistakes. Mice don’t understand negative punishment, and it will only confuse them. Instead, reward them when they get it right.
- If your mouse bites, don’t hit them or say “No.” Instead, try squealing like a mouse and gently pull them away. Eventually, they will understand.
- Remember that every mouse has its own personality, which means their learning style may vary. What works for one mouse may not work for another.
- Patience and frequent, short training sessions with lots of rewards are key to successful training.
Take Your Mouse for a Walk. Mice enjoy changing their surroundings, so if your mouse has learned to follow commands, take them outside and place them on your shoulder.
- When taking your mouse outside, a leash will help you keep control in case they become frightened.
- Join mouse forums and other helpful mouse websites to discover more valuable information!
