Keeping a pet mouse in an outside cage is not recommended. Mice are a prey species and are easily scared, so they prefer to stay near cover. They are also very sensitive to sound and temperature, so a quiet, well-ventilated, and temperature-controlled indoor space is ideal. Additionally, mice are social creatures and require the company of other mice, so they should be kept in groups.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cage requirements | Safe, secure, hazard-free, comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean, spacious, well-ventilated, escape-proof, quiet |
Nesting material | Helps mice stay at a comfortable temperature |
Bedding material | Should be at least 2cm deep to allow mice to dig, and to absorb moisture from urine and faeces |
Hiding places | Mice are a prey species and prefer to be near cover |
Objects for entertainment | Suspended ropes, fruit tree branches, cardboard tubes, tunnels, running wheels |
Objects for scent-marking | Objects that can be used as toilet areas or easily marked allow mice to communicate with other mice |
Water | Should be fresh and changed daily; check morning and evening to ensure the water bottle nozzle hasn't been blocked or wedged open |
Temperature | 65–80 degrees |
Humidity | Well-ventilated without being draughty |
Cleaning | Clean with dry bedding and nesting material; maintain a balance between good health and avoiding excessive disturbance and stress; spot clean every day, and full clean every 1–2 weeks |
What You'll Learn
Cage material
When selecting a cage for your pet mouse, it's important to consider the material it's made of. You should avoid wooden cages as urine will soak into the wood before you can clean it, and mice can chew through the wood and escape.
Instead, opt for a cage made of plastic, metal, or glass. Plastic cages are inexpensive and lightweight, but they are more prone to breaking than metal cages. Metal cages are usually stronger and provide good air circulation. Glass tanks with mesh lids can also make good, attractive cages, but it can be harder to attach toys to the sides and they need to be cleaned more often.
When choosing a cage, make sure the bars are no more than 0.9 centimetres (9.0 mm) apart, as mice can escape if the bars are too wide. This is one reason why hamster cages are not suitable for mice, as the bars are usually too far apart.
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Cage size
When it comes to the cage size for a pet mouse, bigger is definitely better. A larger cage will allow your pet to express its natural behaviours, such as burrowing, foraging, and climbing. A suitable cage should have a footprint of at least 80 x 50 cm (31.5 x 19.5 inches) and a minimum height of 40 cm (16 inches).
The bar spacing of the cage is also important. The spacing should be fine enough to prevent escape, but also allow for adequate ventilation. For small and young mice over 15g, a bar spacing of 6-7 mm (1/4 inch) is suitable. For average adult mice, a bar spacing of 9-9.5 mm (3/8 inch) is appropriate. A mesh with squares measuring 1 cm or less is recommended to prevent chewing and escape.
The base of the cage should be deep enough for substrate digging and burrowing, with a minimum depth of 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches). A deeper base of 15 cm (6 inches) is ideal as it satisfies the mouse's natural instincts and helps contain the substrate, preventing it from scattering.
In terms of overall construction, wire cages are preferable to aquariums or glass enclosures as they provide better ventilation. Mice are enthusiastic urinators, and the ammonia buildup in a poorly ventilated cage can lead to respiratory issues. Additionally, wood cages are not recommended as urine will soak into the wood, and mice may chew through it and escape.
When choosing a cage, it is important to consider the number of mice that will be housed in it. The minimum cage size for 2 to 3 mice is 18 inches (45 cm) long by 18 inches (45 cm) wide by 10 inches (25 cm) high. For a single mouse, the cage should still be spacious enough to accommodate exercise wheels, tubes, ladders, and other accessories to fulfil their need for routine exercise.
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Cage location
The location of your pet mouse's cage is extremely important for their health and happiness. Mice are sensitive to noise and light, so it's best to keep their cage away from any sources of high-pitched sounds, ultrasound, or sudden bursts of noise, such as alarms, phones, lawnmowers, or speakers. Similarly, avoid placing the cage under direct or bright lights. Natural daylight is important, but direct sunlight should be avoided as it can get too hot for them. Keep the cage in a well-ventilated area with a consistent temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing the cage in areas with extreme temperatures or humidity, such as a conservatory, garage, bathroom, or air-conditioned room.
Mice are also sensitive to certain smells. Avoid placing the cage near strong odours, such as rubber or plastic, as these can be harmful to their respiratory health. Keep food sources, such as countertops, floors, and cabinets, free of crumbs, and store dry food and pet food in chew-proof containers. It's also important to keep the cage clean and dry, with fresh bedding and nesting material.
In addition to the above considerations, it's worth noting that mice are social animals and can get attached to their family members. Therefore, placing the cage in a quiet area of the house where they can still interact with family members and be handled or played with regularly is ideal. This will help your pet mouse bond with you and ensure they get the necessary exercise and mental stimulation.
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Bedding material
Mice need bedding to burrow, nest, and eliminate waste. The ideal bedding for mice is dust-free, odour- and moisture-absorbing, and comfortable. Bedding material should be non-toxic, unscented, and non-coloured.
Some good options for bedding material include:
- Paper-based bedding, such as paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, or paper cut into small pieces. Paper bedding is lightweight, compostable, and biodegradable.
- Aspen shavings, which are dust-free, odour-free, and suitable for mice.
- Kiln-dried pine shavings that are free from harmful aromatic oils.
- Eco-friendly pelleted wheat straw.
- Wood chips (non-aspen), cellulose-based chips, or shredded filter paper.
It is important to avoid bedding made from cedar or unprocessed pine shavings, as the aromatic oils can cause respiratory distress in mice. Corn cob litter should also be avoided, as it can mould and choke your pet if they eat it. Materials that can separate into long, thin strands, such as cotton wool, should also be avoided, as they can pose a health risk if ingested or if your mouse becomes entangled.
Mice need at least 2-3 inches (5.1-7.6 centimetres) of bedding at the bottom of their cage to facilitate burrowing and digging. Bedding should be changed at least once a week, and soiled bedding should be removed daily.
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Nesting material
Mice are big nest builders and use nesting material to help them stay at a comfortable temperature. They need a variety of different nesting materials to give them a choice over what they use and so they can build good nests.
Suitable nesting materials include hay, shredded paper, paper strips, and paper tissues. Avoid using cotton wool or similar fluffy bedding products that separate into thin strands, as they could cause harm if eaten. The thin strands can also be difficult to break, potentially entangling your mice and leading to loss of circulation in their limbs. This could result in amputation or, in severe cases, euthanasia.
Highly absorbent materials should also be avoided for newborn or young mice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but it is not recommended. Pet mice are domesticated and are unlikely to survive outdoors. They are also very small and can easily escape or slip through small cracks in walls.
Mice need a safe, secure, hazard-free home cage that is comfortable, dry, draught-free, and clean. The cage should be placed in a quiet place, out of direct sunlight, and away from high-pitched sounds and sudden bursts of noise, as they are sensitive to a broad frequency range.
Pet mice require nesting and bedding material, hiding places, objects they can use as toilet areas, fresh water, and things to occupy them, such as suspended ropes, fruit tree branches, cardboard tubes, and tunnels.