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MEET THE MOUSE

Mice have been cherished as pets for a very long time—since as far back as 1100 BC in China. It's easy to see why these small, clever rodents have such a long history with humans. They are remarkably intelligent and curious, capable of learning tricks and navigating mazes. Beyond their brains, pet mice are known for being clean, low-maintenance, and relatively easy to care for.

Lifespan

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2 - 3 years

Good With Kids

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Yes

Space Requirement

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Small

Time Needed Outside Cage

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Medium

Potty Trainability

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Low

Diet Difficulty

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Low

Care Difficulty

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Low

Cleanliness

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High

Human Interaction Needs

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High

Cuddliness

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Medium

CARE GUIDE

SUPPLY LIST

ADOPTABLE
MICE

ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

MNPPR Recommends

DIY Ikea Deltof Habitat

Bin Cage Tutorial

Aquarium tanks of at least 20 gallons have enough room, but can be heavy. Some people choose to flip an IKEA Detolf cabinet on its side and build a custom lid, which provides double the required space and an excellent view of your mouse's living area. We recommend making a DIY tub/bin cage as they are appropriately sized, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to clean. Store-bought cages such as Habitrails or similar are not recommended because even with the connecting tubes, they do not have enough floor space.

Minimum Dimensions

One to two mice:
30" L x 12" W x 12"H (or 2.5 cubic feet)

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Other Notes

Mice prefer deep cages with at least 6 inches of bedding, tunnels, nesting materials, and climbing toys.

 

Cages should have plenty of ventilation, but be sure your mouse can’t escape through or chew on the holes. Any cage should have a solid floor since standing on wire can cause injuries and bumblefoot. â€‹

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Inspect your mouse's cage every day for any signs of chewing.

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Mice enjoy burrowing and building nests. Unscented soft recycled paper, shredded paper, and paper pellets are all great bedding options, either by themselves or mixed. MNPPR strongly recommends avoiding all wood-based beddings due to the general sensitivity of pocket pets.

ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS

Essentials
water bottle
food bowl

lots of chew toys (wood or lava)

wheel

at least one shelter/hide

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Variety
toilet paper tubes

fiddlesticks

tunnels

bird toys

bits of fabric

ladders

cardboard

treat balls

homemade toys

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Other Items

pet carrier

bedding: soft recycled paper such as CareFresh, shredded paper, or paper pellets

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FEEDING REQUIREMENTS

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Staple Diet

Always keep your mouse's food bowl full of high-quality rat/mouse kibble, pellets, or blocks such as Oxbow. Seed mix food should not be used. They are often missing vital nutrients, and many mice will only eat their favorite-tasting pieces, causing an unbalanced diet. If your mouse is overweight, they may need fewer treats or more exercise.

Treats

There are many options for store-bought treats made for mice, but fresh food can also make great treats. Be sure they are not storing anything in their nests that could rot. Mice should never get more than 1/4 tablespoon of treats a day, or they may become obese.

Safe Treats
   

apples

bananas

bell peppers

blueberries

broccoli

carrots

cauliflower

Cheerios

cranberries

cucumbers

cooked eggs

   

green beans

mealworms

parsley

peas

pumpkin seeds

plain popcorn

raspberries

sunflower seeds

timothy hay

unsalted crackers

yogurt

 

any citrus fruit

apple seeds

cabbage

cheese

corn

fizzy drinks

garlic

milk

 

onions

peanuts

poppy seeds

raisins

raw beans

raw meat

rhubarb

walnuts

Unsafe Treats
DISCLAIMER

All information shared by MN Pocket Pet Rescue is researched, up to date, and accurate to the best of our ability. We are not a licensed veterinary organization and do not intend to present ourselves as such. All educational material contains our best recommendations for care specific to each species. However, all animals are different, and some may have unique needs. MN Pocket Pet Rescue does not assume any liability for the well-being of any animal not under our care. Always use your best judgment and follow veterinary recommendations whenever necessary. If you have any questions or find inaccurate information, please contact us.

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