How to care for baby mice

If your pet mouse has birthed a litter of baby mice, you can rest easy knowing that their mother will naturally care for them. As a pet owner, you can provide support for the new family and help the mother successfully raise her young by taking measures to ensure her health and safety.

Things You'll Need

  • Blanket
  • Mouse food
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Shield the mouse family from loud noises for the first day or so after the babies' arrival. If possible, as soon as you suspect a pregnancy or witness baby mice, move the cage into a room with little traffic and tell family members to stay away. Keep the lights low. If your mice live in an aquarium or other solid-sided structure, surround the sides with a blanket to minimize disturbances.

    • 2

      Feed and water the adult mouse. The first 24 hours are the most critical for the mother mouse to adjust to motherhood. Move quietly as you provide fresh water and food for your pet. Keep feedings regular for the first few weeks.

    • 3

      Provide additional sources of protein for the mother along with her regular diet, such as cheese and cooked meat. This will help her heal and recuperate and will increase the quality of the milk for her babies.

    • 4

      Separate the males from the females at weaning, which takes place at about 3 to 4 weeks of age. Females are sexually mature at 6 weeks and males at 8 weeks. You will need to separate them prior to this time unless you want additional babies.

    • 5

      Provide soft food for the newly-weaned babies for the first few days to transition them to solid adult kibble.