Mice as Pets
Mice make entertaining indoor pets. They are so easy to take care of and make very few demands. Mice are trainable, and can be trained to be disciplined as well as how to handle food. Before you get your mouse you need to do a few things to prep the area in which they will be living. Mice like to live in small groups in a small environment i.e. a cage. Males do need to be separated from other males as they can get quite aggressive. Females and males should also be separated unless you are planning on breeding. Your vet should be able to assist with ascertaining the sex of your mice.
Your mouse cage should be made from plastics and wire, not any absorbent materials like wood as the mouse urine will soak into the wood and start to smell. The floor should be solid and not wire as this could cause injury to their feet. The minimum average size cage for two mice is 60cm by 50cm by 30cm hight
Before you bring your mice home, make sure you have at least some of these essential items
Litter box
Secure mouse carrier for travel
Food dish
Water dish
Drip bottle
Exercise wheel
Beds and Hideaways
Mice are omnivorous and can eat both plant and animal products. Pet store food pellets are available, but they must provide a mixture of meats and vegetables in their diet.
The mixt you buy should have seeds, grains, pulses, and some dried mealworms.
Healthy treats can be given to your mice in small amounts
Pasta, cooked or raw
A variety of fruits and vegetables including broccoli, curly kale, strawberries and grapes
Small amount of boiled eggs
Pulses and cereals
Fresh mealworms – one or two at a time, unless your dry food already has these included
Apple wood – or other fruit tree wood – to gnaw on
Dried herbs. There are many mixtures available from pet stores such as mountain and garden mix
Dog biscuits such as gravy bones
Millet seed spray for birds