Mice as pets: what to know before you get them

Are mice good pets?

Yes, for the right home. The PDSA calls mice lively and intelligent and says they are fascinating to watch, but it is honest that anyone wanting a cuddly companion should pick a different animal. RSPCA Australia adds that mice are curious, trainable and have good memories, and that they can bond closely with their carers.

How to care for a mouse as a pet: the care sheet

Every pet mouse needs the same seven things. These are the numbers from UK welfare charities and the MSD Veterinary Manual, and where they disagree we have said which we follow.

Our full pet mouse care guide explains each one, and the mouse cage size guide shows why most pet shop cages fall short.

What are some good things to put in a mouse cage?

Put in deep bedding, nesting, at least two hides, a solid wheel, things to climb and things to chew. The RSPCA says mice like to keep in touch with upright surfaces and find bare, open space stressful, so a cage should feel full rather than tidy.

• Deep paper or card bedding over the whole floor
• Soft nesting: plain white tissue, shredded paper or hay (never cotton wool)
• Hides with more than one exit, big enough to turn around in
• A solid, upright wheel of 20 cm (8 in) with no rungs or gaps
• Shelves or levels, kept low so falls cannot hurt
• Ropes, ladders and apple or willow branches
• A heavy food dish, or better, food scattered in the bedding
• A water bottle with a metal spout, or a heavy bowl
• Something to mark and use as a toilet, such as a small flat stone or a corner box

The mouse cage setup guide shows where each piece goes.

What are some good enrichment toys for mice?

The best mouse toys are the ones they can chew, dig, climb and forage in. Wood Green and the RSPCA both name cardboard tubes and boxes first, and they cost nothing.

• Cardboard tubes, egg boxes and small boxes stuffed with hay and a few seeds
• A dig box of coco coir or plain organic compost
• Hanging ropes and hammocks to climb
• Apple, willow or other fruit tree branches, washed and dried
• Plastic or card tunnels
• Food hidden in paper parcels or scattered in the bedding

Move a few things around each week so there is something new to explore. More ideas are in pet mouse enrichment.

How much time do pet mice need?

Plan on a few minutes of care every day, and more for play. Daily jobs are fresh food and water, checking the bottle, removing droppings and old fresh food, and counting and watching every mouse. Weekly, handle each one for a health check. Every one to two weeks, do a full clean.

Wood Green notes that well-socialised mice may spend an hour or more out of the cage each day in a safe space, such as a dry, empty bath lined with towels or a pop-up pen. That is a bonus, not a must, but it is where the bond grows. Our guide to taming a pet mouse shows how to get there.

Should you get male or female mice?

Females are easier for most people. The PDSA says females generally get on and accept new females, while males can only live together if they grew up together and rarely accept a newcomer. Males also mark with urine and smell stronger. A neutered male can live with females. The full comparison is in male or female mice.

Are mice good pets for children?

Mice suit older children with an adult in charge. Wood Green says their small, delicate bodies make them better for older children, and the PDSA says children must be supervised because mice can bite. The MSD manual calls mice generally good pets for children. We'd add that because mice are awake at night, a child may see little of them after school, so an adult should own the daily care.

Can you keep a wild mouse as a pet?

No. The RSPCA asks people not to try to look after wild mice, because wild rodents have very different needs from pet mice and need specialist care to have any chance of release. A wild mouse stays nervous and spends its life trying to escape. If you find an injured or orphaned one, wear gloves, put it in a towel-lined plastic box somewhere warm and quiet, give no food or water, and take it to a vet.

What to do before you bring mice home

1. Set up first. Have the cage built, bedded and stocked with food and water before the mice arrive.
2. Find a vet. Look for an exotics vet or one who sees mice often. Wood Green suggests asking how many they see each week.
3. Choose a group. Get two or three of the same sex who already live together. Rescues often have bonded groups waiting; see where to get a pet mouse.
4. Budget. The cage and setup cost far more than the mice. Our pet mouse cost guide has the numbers.
5. Let them settle. Leave them alone for a day or two, as Wood Green advises, before you start handling.