by Erin Byers

Created on: September 30, 2008   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

Mice, oftentimes considered pests, are almost irresistible when perusing the cages of a pet store. They are small, furry critters with interesting personalities. Mice fit into many people's budget, as they are less expensive to purchase than most other pets in the store. Here are some tips to get you started as the proud owner of a mouse (or mice)!

In order to cause less stress on yourself, and the mouse (or mice), it is ideal to have somewhere to house your new pet BEFORE you bring it home. This allows you to set up the cage and double check that you have everything while not being rushed. Even though mice will survive a couple hours in those cardboard transport boxes while you set up their home, it will be a more pleasant experience for all if this is done ahead of time.

If you haven't already noticed, mice are very social animals. Why not consider getting a pair? A 15 gallon aquarium (or equivalent size cage) is sufficient to house a pair of mice just as it is a lone mouse. Consider a pair of females or a pair of males from the same litter. A pair of males brought up together tend to get along better than a pair of males that are strangers. A word of warning: If males and females are housed together, be prepared to be the owner of MANY mice!

The more human contact a mouse has, the tamer he (or she) will become. Consider the placement of the cage. Is the cage in an isolated area where few people pass? Make sure the cage is in an area where humans are frequently present. Just remember that mice are nocturnal, so they will be quite active at night. Putting the cage in a child's bedroom, next to the bed, is probably not the best location. Assure that the cage is not in direct sunlight or next to a drafty window. Also make sure Fido and Kitty are not able to access the cage easily.

Mice are quite easy to take care of; however, it is not wise for a child to solely be responsible for them. Mice make wonderful pets, and are great at teaching children about being responsible, but make sure that you or another adult are comfortable handling the mice and cleaning their cage!

Exercise and interaction with humans is very important for a mouse. The most common exercise apparatus for rodents is the wheel. This is a staple in almost any cage. There are many other commercial products available such as hard plastic balls that the mice can run around in, and tubes that connect cage modules together. Take some time out each day to interact with your pet mouse. You can even make a pet "playpen" out of a large plastic storage bin, a sanded plywood box, or even a cardboard box (only under supervision mice can chew through it fast).

The possibilities are endless. Mice are fun to own and will bring you much enjoyment and entertainment!

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