Mouse/Mice
As a Pet
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- Housing -The Mouse House
Mouse/Mice as a Pet
Mouse/mice are curious, entertaining, inexpensive to keep, and fascinating to watch – however, Mouse/Mice also have specific care needs and are best suited for gentle, patient children with adult supervision.
- Enclosure for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- A 20-gallon glass aquarium
- With a wire mesh top
- A wire cage with bar spacing under 0.9 cm
- Is ideal to prevent escapes
- Nesting area
- Small houses
- Cardboard tubes.
- Coconut shells.
- Wooden shelters.
- Exercise for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
As Mouse/Mice as a Pet you must provide:
- A solid exercise wheel for your Mouse/Mice
- Climbing toys for your Mouse/Mice
- Tunnels for your Mouse/Mice
- Platforms for your Mouse/Mice
- Safe chew toys for your Mouse/Mice
- Bedding for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Use 2-3 inches of dust-free paper-based bedding
- Aspen shavings work well
- Your pet mouse/mice can satisfy their natural instinct to dig and burrow
Avoid using:
- Cedar shavings
- Pine shavings that are not kiln-dried
- Dusty bedding
- Enrichment for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Provide a solid-surface exercise wheel – 6 to 8-inch diameter
- Provide tunnels
- Provide chew blocks
- To keep your pet Mouse/Mice mentally and physically active
- Rotate toys regularly:
- Tunnels for your Mouse/Mice
- Climbing ropes for your Mouse/Mice
- Puzzle feeders for your Mouse/Mice
- Paper bags for your Mouse/Mice
- Cardboard boxes for your Mouse/Mice
- Respect your Mouse/Mice Sleep:
- Mouse/Mice are generally most active in the evening and at night
- Avoid disturbing your Mouse/Mice while your Mouse/Mice are resting
- Mouse/Mice Prefer Company:
- Female mice usually do best living with other females
- Male mice are often happiest living alone
- Unless the males are litter mates that have always lived together
Never keep males and females together unless you are prepared for many babies.
- Expect Natural Behaviours from your pet Mouse/Mice – Mouse/Mice enjoy:
- Digging
- Climbing
- Building nests
- Exploring
- Gathering food
- Watch for Illness from your pet Mouse/Mice:
Illness signs include from your pet Mouse/Mice:
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lumps
- Runny nose
- Hair loss
- Lethargy
- Wash Hands – always wash hands:
- Before handling your pet Mouse/Mice
- After handling your pet Mouse/Mice
- After cleaning the cage your pet Mouse/Mice
Cautious washing helps protect both your family and your pet Mouse/Mice.
- Food – Diet & Nutrition
Mouse/Mice as a Pet
Food Staples for Mouse/Mice as a Pet
- High-quality commercial rodent lab blocks – or “pellets” – should make up about 75% of your pet mouse/mice diet
- These pellets ensure balanced nutrition
- The pellets wear down their continuously growing teeth
- Supplements for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Offer fresh bite-sized vegetables – like dark leafy greens
- Offer fresh bite-sized vegetables every other day
- Serve small amounts of fruit – like apple or melon – once a week
- Avoid for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Do not feed mouse/mice chocolate
- Do not feed mouse/mice garlic
- Do not feed mouse/mice onions
- Do not feed mouse/mice raw beans
- Do not feed mouse/mice or potatoes – as these can be toxic
- Do not feed mouse/mice or potatoes – as these may cause illness
Never feed:
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Sugary junk food
- Mouldy food
Tip for Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Always remove any uneaten fresh food the following day to prevent spoilage
- Water – Hydration
Mouse/Mice as a Pet
- Fresh Water Access Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Mouse/Mice need fresh water available at all times
- Mouse/Mice typically consume about 3 to 5 mL per day
- Water Dispenser Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- Hang an inverted drip water bottle on the side of the enclosure
- Clean the inverted drip water bottle weekly with soap and water
- Bowl Alternative Mouse/Mice as a Pet:
- If using a shallow water dish
- Ensure a shallow water dish is un-tippable
- Ensure a shallow water dish is not too deep
- Otherwise your Mouse/Mice could slip in and get trapped
Every mouse is unique. Some are adventurous, some are shy, and others are very social. With gentle care, patience, and a stimulating environment, pet mice can become engaging companions that teach children compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals.
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