Mice are friendly, sociable and smart small rodents. They are equally as good as pets as the more popular gerbils and hamsters. Their small size makes them slightly easier to house. They can make very rewarding pets.

‘Fancy mice’ is a term often applied to mice with unusual colors and/or coats. While albino white mice are most often encountered, mice come in many different colors. Silky mice are domestic mice with a longer and softer fur. Regardless of color or coat, all domestic mice can be cared for in a similar manner. The only significant difference may be that albino mice, with their red eyes, may be more sensitive to bright lights.

This care sheet is specifically for the domestic mouse, the most likely mouse you will encounter in a pet store. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with exotic mice, such as spiny mice, pygmy mice, door mice or other species, please be sure to do additionally research. Exotic mice species may be good pets, but their requirements are significantly different than domestic mice.

Housing and Environment

Mice can be kept according to the guidelines in the general care sheet. A small group of mice can easily be kept in a standard 10-gallon aquarium.

Mice are social animals, and it is most appropriate to keep at least two together. Males will fight, and should not be housed with more than one per cage. Two or more females are appropriate to keep together. One male and one or more females can be kept together, but unless your intent is to breed your mice this is best avoided. Males can be told apart from females by the greater distance between the anus and urigenital opening. The pet store where you purchase your mice should be able to tell them apart. Before breeding your mouse, please be sure that you have a way to find homes for the offspring. Unless you have a specific reason for breeding them you are better off keeping only females.

Substrate

Any of the substrates listed in the general care sheet will be appropriate for mice. If you have a number of mice you may want to choose one of the pelleted wood beddings, as this may be the best for odor management. Because these beddings do not afford any tunneling opportunities, you can use a layer of pelleted wood bedding on the bottom of the cage, with a shredded aspen or paper substrate on top of the pelleted wood bedding. This gives the benefits of both beddings.

There are a number of different beddings that can be used for a substrate for your mouse. Cedar shavings should be avoided; they are dusty and aromatic, and can lead to respiratory problems in your mouse. Pine shavings are also very dusty and should be avoided.

Diet

Your pet mice will be perfectly happy on a staple diet of Zeigler MonsterDiet™ for mice and rats. Treat foods, in small amounts, can include seed or nut mixtures, fruits and vegetables, pasta and similar foods.

In the event that your mice breed, lactating females may need more fat in their diet. Offering a small amount of sunflower seeds during the course of lactation may help them nurse to weaning.

Maintenance

Mice do not have any special needs beyond those described in the general small animal care sheet. Please review that for details on feeding, watering and cleaning their cage.

Handling

Pet mice should be handled regularly if you expect them to be tame. While mice in a social setting will be perfectly happy playing among themselves, most mice will become tame with a little bit of regular handling.

You should pick up your pet mouse by scooping them up from below. You can grasp it by the tail, but only near the base, and only to immediately transfer them to your hand or some other stable object. Mice that are not tame may be prone to run away and they will jump; make sure you hold them close to a table or the floor so they will not fall far if they jump out of your hands. Over time they will get more used to handling and not be as likely to jump or run away from you.

Mice do have individual personalities. You may occasionally run across a mouse that is simply too skittish to safely handle