How to Care for a Pet Mouse

Taking care of a mouse seems like hard work, but it really isn't. A lot of caring for mice is common sense. The rest of it is really just caring about your mouse enough to ensure it is safe, comfortable and healthy. Keep in mind that your mouse should live no less than 11 1/2 years when cared for properly. They can even live longer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cage
• Food
• Bedding
• Treats
• Toys
• Veterinarian experienced with mice and willing to treat them regularly

Nutrition

1. Feed your mouse food that enables it to receive all of its nutrients. This includes "pet block" and mouse and rat mix.

2. Add supplements if your mouse is not getting enough vitamins and minerals. There are salt and mineral blocks and vitamin supplements that you can add to their water.

3. Give additional foods only as treats. Otherwise, your mouse may get too much of one vitamin and not enough of others.

4. Take your mouse to the vet if it is not eating properly for more than 1 or 2 days.

Environment

5. Keep your mouse away from drafts, heat and direct sunlight. If it gets too hot or cold, it cannot get away from it.

6. Use bedding to cover the floor of the cage. This makes it more comfortable for the mouse and soaks up urine. This should be changed once a week or when it gets dirty, whichever happens first.

7. Keep your mouse's cage clean, with plenty of food and water.

8. Be sure to change the food out if it gets wet to avoid mold.

9. Install an exercise wheel for your mouse. They need to exercise, and this is the most enjoyable way for them to do so.

10. Allow your mouse to chew on wood gnaws. This helps them to keep their teeth short.

Tips & Warnings

• Unscented and undyed paper towels, napkins and toilet paper can be substituted for bedding.
• Do not buy any bedding made of fluffy cotton wool since it can harm the mouse if they eat it.
• Do not use straw as bedding since the sharp edges can also harm the mouse.
• Do not use bedding with fine sawdust, which can cause eye irritation.
• Do not use bedding made of cedar wood shavings since the chemicals in cedar causes severe irritations in mice.
• Do not use any bedding that is scented since this can also cause irritation.
• Never use corncob bedding since it can become moldy if it gets wet. It also swells if the mouse eats it.
• When buying an exercise wheel, be sure there are no "rungs" since the mouse can get his feet caught in the holes. Also, be sure that it has a solid outside since the mouse could harm itself if it tries to stick its head out while running.