Facts About Pet Mice

Mice, once a pest and then a laboratory animal, are also kept as pets. These are not wild mice taken in from the wild but domesticated mice that lack the coloring and survival skills of their wild cousins, according to the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFMRA.) With luck and proper care, a pet mouse can live from one to three years.

  1. Feeding

    • Pet mice, also known as fancy mice, do best on a diet that mainly consists of food specifically made for mice and rats. These are made from hay, seeds, nuts and grains. Mice need to gnaw on hard foods to help wear down their continually growing teeth. Small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables, cooked pasta, plain popcorn and sugarless, low-salt breakfast cereal make great treats. Although a common misconception, many pet mice do not like cheese, according to Sharon L. Vanderlip, DVM.

    Sociability

    • Mice do best when housed with at least one other mouse. In the wild, mice live in colonies. In this way, many eyes can look out for danger. Although mice can form strong bonds with people, the Humane Society of the United States recommends keeping at least two mice of the same sex per cage, although two males can often fight. Sometimes a male can be housed alone.

    Housing

    • Mice are small enough to slip through the bars of many cages labeled as being suitable for mice. It's harder for mice to get through a wire mesh cage. Wire cages need to be at least two feet long and one foot wide. Avoid plastic hamster cages, as mice have been known to chew their way through them. Aquariums are suitable, provided they have a wire mesh lid, are cleaned often and not left in a hot spot. They need to be at least 10 gallons large for two mice and 20 gallons large for up to five mice.

    Varieties

    • There are many types of colors, patterns and coat variations in fancy mice. Mice can have short hair, long hair, silky hair, frizzy hair or no hair. They may come in solid colors like dark-eyed white, albino, black, beige, coffee brown or cream. Patterns include hooded, where the head is dark and the body white; Himalayan, with markings like a Siamese cat; and the spotted tan, which is a combination of any three colors. No matter the color or coat texture, all mice have hairless tails, ears and paws.

    Misconceptions

    • Mice do not grow up to be rats. Although mice and rats have a similar appearance, they are two separate rodent species. Mice and rats will also fight viciously if housed together. But both rats and mice do have similar dietary needs. Many rat clubs and rodent shows, which are similar to dog shows, will also have classes for mice and offer membership to pet mouse owners. Neither rats nor mice can frighten elephants.