MEET THE MOUSE
Humans have been keeping mice as pets since 1100 BC and it's no surprise why. They are smart, personable, clean pets who are fairly easy to care for. Plus, who can resist those little faces?
Lifespan
2 - 3 years
Diet Difficulty
Low
Good With Kids
Yes
Care Difficulty
Low
Space Requirement
Small
Cleanliness
High
Time Needed Outside Cage
Medium
Human Interaction Needs
High
Potty Trainability
Low
Cuddliness
Medium
ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
MNPPR Recommends
Bin Cage
Aquarium tanks of at least 20 gallons have enough room but can be heavy.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 gerbil: 1 cubic foot with 500 square inch minimum unbroken floor space
Two gerbils: 2 cubic foot with 1,000 square inch minimum unbroken floor space
Three gerbils: 3 cubic foot with 1,500 square inch minimum unbroken floor space
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.
Inspect your mouse’s cage every day for any signs of chewing.
Mice enjoy burrowing and building nests. 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
Variety
toilet paper tubes
fiddlesticks
tunnels
bird toys
bits of fabric
ladders
cardboard
treat balls
homemade toys
Other Items
pet carrier
bedding (soft recycled paper
such as CareFresh, shredded paper, or paper pellets)
FEEDING REQUIREMENTS
Staple Diet
Always keep your mouse’s food bowl full of high-quality rat/mouse kibble, pellets, or blocks such as Oxbow or Mazuri. Seed mix food should not be used because 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.
apples
bananas
bell peppers
blueberries
broccoli
carrots
cauliflower
Cheerios
cranberries
cucumbers
cooked eggs
Unsafe Treats
any citrus fruit
apple seeds
cabbage
cheese
corn
fizzy drinks
garlic
milk
onions
peanuts
poppy seeds
raisins
raw beans
raw meat
rhubarb
walnuts
green beans
mealworms
parsley
peas
pumpkin seeds
plain popcorn
raspberries
sunflower seeds
timothy hay
unsalted crackers
yogurt
Safe 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.