The Mouse Manor: Creating A Comfortable Cage Environment

Mice need a lot more than just a wheel in their cage. They are social animals that require a lot of space to be able to exhibit their natural behaviours, such as foraging, nesting, hiding, resting, playing, exercising, and grooming. The cage should be well-ventilated, easy to clean, and escape-proof, with a solid floor and wire mesh on top. It should be placed in a quiet, well-ventilated, draught-free area that is out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures and humidity.

Mice need plenty of bedding and nesting material to dig and burrow, as well as to absorb moisture from urine and faeces. They also need hiding places, as they are a prey species and prefer to stay near cover. It is important to provide them with things to occupy them, such as suspended ropes, fruit tree branches, cardboard tubes, tunnels, and running wheels. They also need objects they can use as toilet areas or easily mark with their scent. Fresh water should be available at all times to prevent dehydration, and food dishes should be sturdy and easy to clean.

What do mice need in their cage?

Cage type, size, and location

Mice need a safe, secure, hazard-free, comfortable, dry, draught-free, and clean cage. The cage should be placed in a quiet place where they can rest undisturbed. It should be away from direct sunlight, extremes of temperature, and humidity. Avoid placing the cage in areas with high-pitched sounds, ultrasound, or sudden bursts of noise, as mice can hear a broad frequency range. Keep the cage away from alarms, phones, doorbells, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, stereos, speakers, high-pressure hoses, electrical equipment, and anywhere water might run into metal containers.

The cage should be large enough to allow mice to behave as they would in the wild and have some control over their surroundings. The minimum cage size for 2-3 mice is 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 10 inches high. The cage should have good ventilation, be easy to clean, and be escape-proof. The floor should be solid, as wire mesh or grid flooring can damage the feet and legs of mice. Cages made of wood are unacceptable, as urine will soak into the wood, leading to ammonia buildup and potential respiratory disease. Mice may also chew through the wood and escape.

The cage should be monitored for sharp edges and any materials that could cause constriction injuries or catch claws or teeth, such as loose-weave long-fibre fabrics, fluffy bedding, or metal chains. Materials that could pose problems if ingested, such as rubber objects, should also be avoided. Bar spacing should be no larger than 0.5 cm (5 mm) for mice to prevent escape.

Multiple levels in the enclosure can provide more space and interest for mice, offering opportunities to explore and climb and giving them more control over their environment. The cage should be stuffed full of things to explore, hide, and climb on. Mice love to climb, so providing ropes, hanging ladders, hammocks, and taller structures like platforms or small bird playpens will be appreciated.

Mice are very social animals and appreciate being in a group. However, male mice tend to fight unless they grew up together. Unrelated female mice can usually be placed in the same cage without any problems.

Bedding and nesting materials

When selecting bedding for mice, it is important to choose a material that is absorbent to manage moisture from urine and faeces. Additionally, mice have sensitive respiratory systems, so the bedding should be unscented and non-toxic to prevent respiratory issues. The depth of the bedding is also crucial, as mice need enough material to facilitate burrowing and digging. The recommended depth is 2-3 inches (5.1-7.6 centimetres) of bedding in the bottom of their enclosure.

There are several suitable options for mouse bedding, including wood chips (non-aspen), cellulose-based chips, and shredded filter paper. These materials provide an appropriate balance of absorbency and breathability, ensuring the cage remains dry and well-ventilated. It is important to avoid using materials such as fine sawdust, wood shavings, or aspen bedding, as these can cause health issues. Coloured or fragrant bedding should also be avoided, as they may be harmful to mice.

Nesting materials serve a different purpose, helping mice regulate their body temperature. Mice need a variety of nesting materials to build comfortable nests. Suitable options include hay, shredded paper, paper strips, and paper tissues. It is important to avoid fluffy bedding products like cotton wool, as they can separate into thin strands, posing a risk of entanglement and ingestion, which can be harmful to mice.

The combination of appropriate bedding and nesting materials contributes to the overall health and well-being of mice, providing them with a comfortable and enriching environment.

Water and food

Mice need to have constant access to clean drinking water. They can die if they don't have water, even for short periods. Water bottles with metal sipper tubes are recommended over water bowls, as bowls can get easily soiled and spilled. The bottles should be checked daily for leaks and blockages and cleaned and refilled with fresh water.

Mice are omnivores and will eat both plant and animal-based food. In the wild, they eat a wide variety of seeds, grains, grasses, and invertebrates. A good-quality, balanced diet is important to prevent nutrition-related health problems.

Commercial mouse food in the form of nuggets or pellets is recommended as it provides a complete and balanced diet. Pellets should make up 75% of their diet. These can be scattered around the cage to encourage foraging behaviour, which is natural for mice.

Mice also enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. Dark leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables such as bok choy, parsley, kale, beet greens, broccoli, green beans, carrots, and zucchini are good options. Apples, bananas, melons, berries, peaches, plums, and pears can also be given, but only in small amounts once a week as they are high in sugar. Treats such as boiled or scrambled eggs, lean meat, beans, peas, and other pulses can be given occasionally.

It is important to note that some foods are toxic to mice and should be avoided. These include grapes, raisins, rhubarb, lettuce, citrus fruits, dairy products, and chocolate.

Toys and exercise

Mice are naturally playful and curious creatures that love to explore, run, and climb. It is important to provide them with stimulation and opportunities for physical activity to keep them healthy and happy. Here are some ideas for toys and exercise for your pet mice:

Exercise Wheels

A sturdy exercise wheel is a great way to encourage your mice to run and stay active. When choosing a wheel, opt for one made of solid plastic or metal, as wires or mesh can be dangerous and cause injuries. Make sure the wheel is large enough for your mice to run without bending their backs or tails. An 8-inch or bigger wheel is generally suitable for adult mice. You can find wheels made specifically for mice, which are light and silent, with dual ball bearings for smooth and quiet operation.

Tunnels and Tubes

Mice love to explore and hide, so providing them with tunnels and tubes will add excitement to their cage. Cardboard or paper tubes, such as toilet paper rolls or kitchen paper rolls, are excellent options. You can also get creative and build your own maze tunnel by cutting holes in multiple toilet paper rolls and connecting them together. Cardboard boxes, woven hay tunnels, and cork tunnels are other great options for your mice to crawl through and hide in.

Climbing Toys

Climbing is essential for your mice's health and muscle development. Rope is a fantastic option for climbing toys, and you can hang it vertically or horizontally in the cage. Natural fibre ropes, such as sisal or hemp, are ideal. You can also use strips of fleece or rag plaited or twisted together. Branches and twigs from safe trees, such as hawthorn (with thorns removed) and lime (linden), are another natural option that your mice can climb on and chew.

Foraging Toys

Foraging is a natural behaviour for mice, so providing them with toys that encourage this activity will keep them mentally stimulated. You can create simple foraging toys by stuffing toilet paper rolls or cardboard tubes with substrate, shredded paper, or hay, and hiding treats inside. Foraging logs, which are pieces of wood with holes stuffed with hay and food, are another option you can purchase or make yourself.

Balls and Carry Toys

Mice enjoy playing with small, movable items such as wooden blocks, bells, and rubber or wooden balls. You can also give them small cardboard boxes or paper towel tubes to chew on and push around. Just make sure that any toys are large enough so that they cannot fit inside your mouse's mouth.

Homemade Toys

You can easily make toys for your mice at home. For example, you can create a teeter-totter by cutting out a thin piece of cardboard and sticking it on top of a cardboard toilet paper roll with non-toxic glue. Adding small pieces of cardboard or popsicle sticks as ladder rungs will make it even more fun for your mice to climb on.

Cage mates

Mice are social animals and appreciate being in a group. However, male mice tend to fight unless they grew up together. Unrelated female mice can usually be placed in the same cage without any problems.

If you have male and female mice that you don't intend to breed, put them in separate cages. A mixed pairing works very well, but it's important to neuter the male to prevent the female from getting pregnant. A neutered male can also live harmoniously with a group of females.

You should not mix mice with pet rats or other rodents, as they may be attacked and eaten.

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. The more space and complexity in their living space, the better for these active and intelligent animals.

Mice are agile, nimble, and very fast. They climb and they gnaw. A proper, fully enclosed habitat prevents escapes. It should also protect your mice from other pets and even people, especially children.

Make sure you provide plenty of hides within easy reach—your pets will be much more comfortable knowing they can seek shelter in a split second. Shelters with multiple exits will allow your mice to hide when they wish and avoid any confrontation with other cage-mates. Provide shelters large enough for them to turn around easily and not get stuck.

Multiple levels in the enclosure can be used to provide more space and interest for your mice. Adding two or more levels, connected by ladders or ramps, will increase the space available, give your mice the opportunity to explore and climb, and give them more choice and control over their environment.

Mice are very active and enjoy opportunities to exercise and play. Access to exercise wheels, tubes, ladders, and climbing blocks will fulfil this need.

Frequently asked questions