Basic Mouse Care

{by BlueSandpiper}

Housing

Housing for mice is similar to that of gerbils. Cages should not be used unless the spaces between the bars are very close together. Mice can squeeze through extremely small spaces. Tanks/aquariums or modified storage containers are good. Mice don’t need a lot of space. A 5 gallon tank works fine for a pair of mice.

Bedding

Same as for gerbils; either Carefresh or Aspen.

Food

You can buy a seed-based mixed or block food. As with the gerbils, pick out the fatty treats before feeding your mouse.

Toys/Accessories

Mice love to climb. Cages are great because mice can climb on the bars. Toys that allow for climbing should be put into aquariums/tanks and other solid housing.

Mice love to have a dark place to sleep in. A tissue box works fine or you can buy a small house from the pet store. Small, clean ceramic or terra cotta pots work well, too.

Mice aren’t big gnawers but they should still have a wooden block or a cardboard tube to gnaw on and keep their teeth from getting too long.

Cage/tankmate

Male mice tend to fight with each other when they reach adulthood. Even siblings will fight with each other. You can keep a pair or more of male mice together as long as you keep an eye on them and separate them right away if they start fighting. Indications of fighting include constant squeaking, the dominant male picking on a subordinate mouse, bloody wounds on the rear end, and a subordinate mouse looking unhealthy and huddled in a corner by himself.

Female mice can be kept together peacefully.

Behavior

Other than male mice fighting, mice don’t have other behavior issues.