How to Keep Pet Mice

The decision to get pet mice is not one that should be made lightly. On the contrary, you should be aware of all the maintenance and care that goes into keeping pet mice, particularly everything you need to do to make sure they stay healthy while in your care. Mice are not traditional pets and certainly not right for everyone, but if you provide the right care, you can enjoy your pet mice for their full lifespan of up to three years.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Mouse bedding
  • Pipes, tubes and wood
  • Exercise wheel
  • Chew toys
  • Water bottle
  • Food dish
  • Mouse food
  • Fruits and vegetables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a 10-gallon aquarium with a tight fitting screened lid. This will provide plenty of space for three or four mice. Do not use a wire cage because mice can fit through the bars.

    • 2

      Add bedding specifically made for mice to the bottom of the aquarium. The bedding should be about 3 to 4 inches thick to give the mice room to dig. Never use cedar or pine bedding for mice. Clean waste from the bedding each day using a small scoop. Replace the bedding at least once a week.

    • 3

      Furnish the mouse aquarium with fun things for your mice to play on and hide in, including an exercise wheel without metal rungs, flower pots, tree branches, plastic tubes, PVC pipes and cardboard rolls. Wood should be unpainted and untreated. Chew toys approved for mice will allow your mice to gnaw.

    • 4

      Add a water bottle with a drinking tube to the aquarium. The water bottle consists of a plastic bottle and metal tube that extends into the aquarium. It can be hung over the top of the cage using metal hooks. Water bottles appropriately sized for mice can be found at your local pet supply store. Refill the bottle each day with fresh water for your mice. Make sure all the mice can reach the end of the metal tube on the bottle to drink.

    • 5

      Fill a shallow food dish with a commercial mouse food each day. This food should not contain more than 4 percent fat, but should have a minimum of 18 percent fiber and 16 percent protein.

    • 6

      Give your mice fresh fruits and vegetables such as bananas, apples, broccoli and carrots. These are great treats for mice, but give your mice only very small portions at a time.

    • 7

      Teach your mice to get used to being handled. Hold them gently and talk in a soft, soothing voice. When they do well, give them treats. Your mice will eventually learn to sit calmly in your hand without roaming. Never pick up a mouse by the tail.

    • 8

      Exercise your mice each day outside of their cage once they can be safely handled. The exercise area should be completely blocked off from all hazards or household obstacles. You should know where your mice are at all times.

    • 9

      Take your mice to the vet if you think something may be wrong. Coughing, sneezing and unusual breathing are obvious signs of a problem. Lack of movement, changes in weight or refusal to eat or drink are other signs that your mice may be in trouble.