The Basics:

Mice are active, social and somewhat timid animals that are becoming more popular as pets. It’s easy to see why - not only are mice fun to watch, they’re also easy to keep. Hardy and resourceful animals, mice are found in every corner of the globe. Yet despite their durability, these little critters should never be taken for granted as pets. To live full, healthy lives, they require a proper diet, clean surroundings, the company of
other mice and plenty of activity. Unfortunately, regardless of its quality, a mouse’s life doesn’t last too long. Many mice live only about a year, rarely will they live much past
their third birthdays. Since mice are social creatures, they need one another’s company. However, males can
become territorial, so they should be introduced to one another gradually in a “neutral” enclosure. Only mice of the same sex should be housed together to keep this prolific
breeder from multiplying.

Enclosure: Mouse House:

A group of up to four mice can be housed comfortably in an
enclosure that measures at least 24” long by 12” high, by 12” deep. The enclosure can be a coated metal cage or glass aquarium tank with a wire lid that provides ample ventilation.
Great care to provide frequent cleaning is necessary if a glass tank is used, since it can become too humid, even with a wire top. A glass tank will also make it easier for ammonia from the mouse's urine to collect and become stagnant in the tank, harming the animal's respiratory system. A coated metal cage
is preferable with bars close together to prevent escapes. Mouse cage bars should never have more than ¼” of space between. A mouse will easily work his way through a ½”
space. Select a cage with horizontal bars, since this will afford the mouse climbing opportunities. The floor of a metal cage must be solid, since wire mesh bottoms will harm a mouse’s feet. The enclosure should be positioned away from direct sunlight, drafts and heat sources, and must be checked thoroughly for any means of escape. Mice are virtually incontinent, urinating and defecating indiscriminately as they move about the cage. In the course of a day, a single mouse may produce up to 80 droppings, along with a dribble of urine covering everything in its path. As the urine dries, ammonia
fumes are created. This not only smells bad to the owner, but can be a health hazard to the animal, too. To keep the mouse healthy, be sure to clean the cage and change the bedding BEFORE the smell becomes noticeable. This is especially true if you have a glass tank aquarium, which will retain more ammonia fumes than a cage.

Bedding: Absorbent And Dust-Free

Mice need an inch of absorbent bedding on the floor of
their enclosure - recommended materials include wood shavings, chlorophyll, or a rodent substrate made from reclaimed wood pulp or pelleted paper. Fine sawdust can
create too much dust in the enclosure, leading to eye irritations and respiratory infections. Cedar and pine based products should never be used, since they can cause severe
respiratory problems that lead to liver damage. Chlorophyll bedding is a popular mouse substrate thanks to its ability to mask urine odor, but its green coloration can stain the
animals’ fur. Change the bedding completely twice a week, more often if it starts to smell. Mice also need a comfortable place to sleep, either in some clean, fresh hay or in a
commercially available rodent nesting material. One advantage of using hay is that the animals will also eat it, receiving nutritious fiber and wearing down their teeth. For this
reason, the hay needs to be of a high quality - change it frequently to prevent the animals eating soiled hay.
Another advantage of hay is that some rodent nesting materials can choke or cause intestinal obstructions if swallowed, or can entangle and amputate limbs. Wooden hamster boxes are rarely used for mice, since they absorb too much urine odor. If you use corn cob bedding change it often to protect against the build up of bacteria and mold. Also do not use corn cob bedding with a pet that may ingest bedding.

Exercise: Mouse Workout:

Mice are intelligent creatures that need lots of physical and mental stimulation, so their enclosure should include a wide variety of toys that have been developed especially for small rodents. These toys are usually designed to be safe when
chewed, but all toys and accessories should be checked regularly for signs of wear and discarded if cracked or splintered. Exercise wheels should be solid, since open-runged wheels can trap the animal’s tail. A mouse can be allowed out in a clear exercise ball, but never for more than 10 minutes at a time to avoid overheating.

Chewing: Essential For Oral Health:

Like all rodents, a mouse’s teeth are constantly growing.
To prevent teeth from growing too long, a mouse must wear them down by frequent chewing. If a mouse is deprived of opportunities to chew, his teeth will become so long that
he will no longer be able to open his mouth and will starve to death. It is absolutely essential to provide a pet mouse with wooden chew toys that have been designed especially
for rodents. These toys are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and aromas – some are even made in fun food shapes. Chew toys should be inspected on a daily basis, and
replaced if they’re soiled or excessively worn.

Temperature & Humidity: Moderate Mice:

As a rule of thumb, if room temperature is comfortable for people, it will suit mice just fine too. Mice are comfortable in temperatures between 60-90ºF. The humidity level should be 30-50%, which is an average humidity temperature. This means they’re usually very content at an average room temperature, needing no special heating or lighting other than a 12 hour day/night cycle.