How to Look After Pet Mice
Whether you are watching a friend's pet mice or have ventured into pet ownership yourself, the care of these small creatures is simple and enjoyable. Those factors also make the rodent pet a favorite among children. Mice are small enough to fit in a child's hand, but play should be supervised by an adult to reduce the chances of a lost or damaged pet.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Set up a cage. Choose a glass, aquarium-style cage with a wire mesh lid for security. Using a cage with wire walls will allow more airflow, but can pose an escape route for very small mice. Select a plastic modular cage with added tubes and accessories for the amusement of children. Line the bottom of the cage with absorbent bedding. Choose recycled wood pulp bedding, newspaper shreds or hemp wood shavings. Clean and sanitize the cage and its contents once a week with a mild solution of bleach and water.
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Add a water bottle to the mouse cage. Hang the bottle from the roof of the cage, or use a wall-mounted hanger to secure the bottle. Drowning is a possibility if a water bowl is used. Fill the water bottle with dechlorinated water. Add liquid vitamin drops purchased from a pet store. Change the water bottle daily.
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Place a food bowl on the bottom level of the cage. Position the bowl away from the corners of the cage, as mice make nests in the corners for sleeping and hiding food. Fill the bowl with a pellet mouse food mix. Sprinkle chew toys made of wood, calcium, rawhide and dried fruit around the cage. Chewing is a favorite pastime of pet mice. Offering them safe and tempting chew toys and treats will reduce the chances of cage destruction. Offer fresh food daily.
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Provide a hiding place. Mice like to hide while sleeping. Choose from a variety of wooden or plastic houses at a pet store. Save money by offering glue-free toilet paper rolls, paper towel tubes or tissue boxes.
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Place the mouse cage in a quiet, temperature-regulated room. Good options are a child's bedroom, a living room or playroom. Leaving a mouse cage in a sunny or drafty window will cause the pet to get too cold or warm, and unregulated rooms such as basements, garages and porches may cause the pet mouse to catch a cold.
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References
- Photo Credit Jayel Aheram/Flikr.com
