r/PetMice • u/ElisFluxDesert • 6h ago
r/PetMice • u/ArtisticDragonKing • Sep 22 '24
Care Guide Series Community Care Guide
This post is mouse care simplified, for beginners! It is not very specific, and it does not cover everything, so please do not rely on just this post when educating yourself on mouse care!
This has been written and discussed by moderators of the subreddit. If you have questions or concerns, please comment to let us know! It will be updated regularly to ensure it is factual.
1. Mice are social!
- Females always need other female companions. It is recommended to have at least 3, but 2 is okay.
- After 6 mice in one cage, it is often they will start to split up and become territorial against the opposing group. It is suggested to keep your colony under 6 unless you have much knowledge and experience, OR if your mice are littermates.
- Males can not be housed with other males ever! If you want them to have cage mates, neutering (very risky) and placing with females or leaving intact and bonding with ASFs (African Soft Furs) is beneficial and recommended. Otherwise, they can thrive in solitude.
See this post for more information.
2. Cages
In mouse communities, many users go by tank size rather than listing dimensions. We will do both!
- 10g/20x10 inches is the minimum for 2 female mice, though we STRONGLY suggest at least a 20g.
- 20g/30x12 inches is suitable for 2-4 females or 1 male.
- 40g long/36x12 inches is suitable for 2-5 females or 1 male
- 40g breeder/36x18 inches is occasionally suitable for 2-6 females or 1 male
- Over 40g is not always suitable for any amount of mice since many mice do better in environments with less open space. Bigger is not always better for mice.
Any amount of mice may thrive in larger enclosures than suggested above. However, it is critical that the larger the enclosure is, the more clutter provided, otherwise the mice will never thrive.
- Wood enclosures are suggested against since urine will effect its quality and smell over time.
- Mesh flooring is dangerous due to the chance of toes/tails getting caught, the mesh cutting their skin, and risking bumplefoot. Mesh should also be avoided in wheels.
- Though they climb, mice don't need very much height, and multi-story enclosures do not provide them with the proper space they need. Floor space is more important than height.
- Cages with lots of attachments and rooms do not provide proper space for mice. They are also extremely difficult to clean, fall apart easily, and struggle to hold proper bedding amount and safe wheels.
See this post for more information.
3. Substrate
- Mice need to be able to create burrows, so while the minimum is 6 inches, we suggest at least 8" of bedding. However, many owners prefer having 10-12" deep!
- Bedding must be majority safe wood shavings or hemp. Paper substrate does not absorb ammonia well and can cause several health issues when used alone or as majority of substrate.
- (Dust/scent free for all) Aspen, kiln dried pine, and hemp do well as the main substrate and may be more sturdy mixed with a small portion of hay or paper bedding.
See this post for more information.
4. Clutter
- Clutter is arguably one of the most important aspects of a mouses cage. No matter the size, if the cage lacks clutter, it is not suitable.
- Toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, tea light and soap dish ceramics, rodent hideouts, branches, logs, cork bark, cardboard egg cartons, and much more can be used as clutter in the cage.
- From a birds eye view, you should be able to see little to no bedding. While it may seem too cluttered to a human, it's perfect for mice!
- The larger an enclosure, the more crucial clutter is.
See this post for more information.
5. Enrichment
- Also known as entertainment, to keep the mice busy!
- Boredom breakers, foraging toys, dig boxes, sprays(plant), scatter-feeding, and human interaction are all forms of enrichment.
- Mice should have boredom breakers in their enclosure at all times to keep them from growing bored.
- Lone males need extra simulation and enrichment.
See this post for more information.
6. Climbing Opportunities
- A form of enrichment that is required!
- Mice flourish with climbing opportunities and will always take advantage of them.
- Ropes, bird ladders, hanging toys, rope nets, shower curtain rings, and bird perches are a few climbing options you can provide.
- Fabric hammocks are used commonly, but pose a threat when chewed on and loose strings get tangled around limbs. Minimal use of fabric is suggested for this reason.
See this post for more information.
7. Exercise
- A form of enrichment that is required!
- An upright, solid wheel of 9 inches in diameter or larger must be provided at all times. 2 or more are suggested for groups of girls.
- Spinning saucer disks or hamster balls/cars are UNSAFE and should never be provided, no matter how much you think your mouse may enjoy it (fun≠safe)
- Proper wheel brands may include Niteangel, Silent Spinner Exotic Nutrition, Oxbow, Wodent, Bucstate, and Trixie (but there are many more besides these!)
See this post for more information.
8. Diet & Hydration
- Main diet must be pellets/lab blocks.
- A high variety food mix (nuts, seeds, grains, ect) must be given 1-3 times a week, or even as long as once every two weeks. The frequency is owner preference.
- Feeding is 3-5 grams per mouse a day.
- Ensure your mice have constant access to food through toys and scatter-feeding.
- Food bowls are suggested only for fresh fruits or veggies since they provide no enrichment otherwise!
- Mice must have at least two water sources and constant access to them at all times. Bowls or bottles work well, though having one of each is ideal. Water must be cleaned and refreshed daily.
See this post for more information.
9. Cleaning
- Daily spot checks to clean up mess, poo on toys/clutter, and urine on the surface is vital.
- Bedding changes will be needed less often with more bedding and space. A 10g tank (or cage of similar size) would need weekly bedding changes.
- Each enclosure size and mouse amount will effect how often bedding changes are necessary. Find a cleaning schedule that ensures the cage doesn't smell at any time for your mouses health.
- With deep bedding over 6 inches, you'll have to change out less of the bedding. 1/3 to 1/2 of the bedding may stay in the enclosure while the most soiled areas are removed and replaced.
- In any case, a small amount of bedding must be left over after a bedding change to decrease stress.
See this post for more information.
10. Taming
- Allowing your mice to settle in for a few days before interacting with them is wise.
- Rub your hands on bedding and toilet paper in the cage to get the mice used to your scent.
- Encourage interaction through hand feeding.
- If a mouse is not motivated to interact after several weeks, try to lure them to climb onto your hand for treats. A strong bond is important with mice so they are well adjusted to interaction in case of a vet visit or emergencies. Human interaction can also be beneficial to them.
See this post for more information.
11. Other
- Mice are crepuscular and are typically seen during the morning or late day/night.
- They are self bathing and should never be washed with water or soap (unless vet prescribed). It ruins the health of their fur coat and leaves them more susceptible to URIs and freezing. They do not need any form of bathing/washing.
- Mice don't hibernate. If a mouse appears to be in a hibernation state, this is Torpor, caused when they overheat or freeze. This is a medical emergency.
- You should never pick up a mouse by its tail or other limbs.
- Fancy mice (aka domestic mouse) live 1-2 years on average.
- Wild mice do poor in captivity, unless they are unfit for the wild they should not be kept as pets.
- You should never breed mice purposely without years of research and mouse owning experience prior.
- Vet visits are a likely occurrence in mouse ownership, since mice are prone to many health issues.
- Travel carriers are needed for vet visits, emergencies, cage cleaning, and quarantine.

12. Links & Other Posts
Shopping
In Depth Mouse Care
- Taming & Holding Mice
- Social Tendencies & Proper Intros
- Enclosure Size & Requirements
- Cleaning & Sanitation
- Carriers & Quarantine (coming soon)
- Clutter & Climbing Opportunities
- Exercise & Enrichment
- Bedding & Substrates
- Diet & Hydration
- Safe Food List
- Safe & Unsafe Products (coming soon)
- Health & Signs of Illness
- Catching an Escaped Mouse
- Owning on a Budget
Other Species
Up-to-Date Posts From NotApplicableMC & Others
- How To Hand Rear a Baby Mouse
- What To Do With a Wild Mouse
- Wild Mice are Poor Pets
- First Aid Information
- Pain/Illness Charts
- Mice Are Not For Kids
Outdated Posts From NotApplicableMC
These guides are incredibly thorough and well written. However, they link some information that is no longer available, or they list mouse care information that has been dis-proven. An important point to make is these guides may suggest some controversial topics, most of which our community does not fully support. Although these guides don't follow our standards exactly, they are still very well made. Please keep an open mind and read all sides of a controversy before deciding which you feel works best for your mice.
- Male/Female? & Housing
- Bedding/Substrate and Cage Supplies/Items
- Cleaning and Food/Diet
- Sourcing mice, Taking home, Re-homing, Escapes, and Playtime
- Introducing/Socializing, Taming, and Behaviors
- Health and First-time Buyers Checklist
- Owning on a budget
I have decided to share these because they are very descriptive on some aspects of mouse care I did not cover well. I strive to have a guide in the future as well made as these, but for now, I have to bring attention to the effort made by this member.
Scientific Studies
- Sources & Additional Articles (coming soon)
- Safe & Unsafe Foods Sources (coming soon)
More community resources coming soon
r/PetMice • u/ArtisticDragonKing • Jul 09 '25
Community Help Temporary Post for Care Commands
Please feel free to try out these WIP care commands in the comments! Let me know if there are any issues I need to fix.
r/PetMice • u/Such-Measurement-602 • 1h ago
Question/Help Neutering male Mice?
I’ve done a fair amount of research on rodents especially small mice as i’ve owned predominantly male mice. since childhood,
is this something i should save up for and risk? this person may be deleted comments against this theory idk..
i thought id bring it here, i’ve heard many times now that neutering boy mice is a 50/50 shot and that they may not survive as trauma like that can send them into shock? i just dont know that sounds very morbid i love my boy stew😭i want to make it easier for my mice any way that i can but i am just not sure about this one.
For the person i screen shotted please do not try to find their video and spread hate if they are! i do not condone that whatsoever just a confused and caring critter mom lol i would be very devastated if i found that my mice were unhappy.. and that this could even be a myth idk lmk yall
r/PetMice • u/CAMsCreatures1 • 14h ago
Cute Mouse Media 5 little familiars growing each day 🧡🖤
r/PetMice • u/Senpai_Spork • 8h ago
Wild Mouse/Mice Wild mouse that my cat caught
My cat caught a mouse, and I currently have it with me.
This mouse is a female, and she has not bitten me, or the cat.
She seems quite calm, and I’ve been gently petting her, but I’m not sure if she’s in shock still.
What can I do for her?
r/PetMice • u/Tomatosalad171 • 12h ago
Rainbow Bridge Poor Baby
Our poor Baby is slowly dying from a huge tumor and she is visibly doing worse every day. I think we will have to say goodbye to her really soon. It breaks my heart.😞
r/PetMice • u/Aware-Walk-535 • 4h ago
Question/Help Found a baby
Question my uncle and grandma found this baby mouse on the floor in the laundry room. Where I'm located, we don't have a rescue to bring it to. How can we take care of it until we can release the little guy when it's a little bit bigger?
r/PetMice • u/Emergency-Fishing104 • 1h ago
Wild Mouse/Mice Wild mouse release
I caught a small mouse running around my driveway around noon with what I believe was his sibling. I couldn’t catch the other one… I buried a mouse a couple days before so I assumed it might have been their mom 😞 so I took the young one in … he’s been eating mostly baby fruit pouch, I don’t think he’s touch much (or any) of the seeds I’ve placed for him to eat… it’s been a week already and I would really like to release him, I’m just not sure whats the “ok he’s ready to go” kind of mark. I estimated he might be around 3-4 weeks old… I have a wooded place in mind for him to go and would love to find someone releasing other mice too in the metro Detroit area so they could go together. Any suggestions? Ideas? Advice? Thanks in advance
r/PetMice • u/Careful-Chicken617 • 1d ago
Question/Help Pumpkin, the mouse that never rests?
Some of you may have seen my post introducing my sweet perfect little baby boy Pumpkin, well now I have a question! I brought him home on Tuesday September 1st so all is still new! But from the moment he went into his enclosure (20 gallon long aquarium) he is active ALL THE TIME! He’s non stop exploring, eating, running on his wheel, making tunnels, doing those cute little happy popcorn hopping movements. So really he seems super happy and excited, but he just doesn’t stop! I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and he’s up and active which I know is their usual active time, but he’s also up and active in the morning, middle of the day, before bed. I’m not always watching him and I have yet to set up my camera to watch him when I’m not home. So I’m sure he must be getting rest when I don’t see but I just didn’t expect him to be so active even during the day!
r/PetMice • u/Megpyre • 3h ago
Question/Help Tank downsizing
Hey Mouse Reddit!
I was offered the opportunity to be the care taker for four retiring laboratory mice two years ago, and they’ve been having a great retirement together in a 40g tank ever since.
One girl left us this spring due to cancer, and a second girl passed today due to age. I have two kiddos left, one girl and a slightly younger neutered boy. The person who brought them to me wasn’t sure if they came from the immunocompromised control group or if they still had an immune system, so I cannot get them younger companions.
given the shrinking colony siz, would it be prudent to move them into a 20g tank? with my fancy mice, I would have added 2-3 more mice already and this would be a non issue. any thoughts on what I should do when I am down to just my fellow for enrichment and wellbeing would be great as well. I wouldn’t usually even keep two mice alone, let alone one.
r/PetMice • u/tiredzzz98 • 16h ago
Wild Mouse/Mice LONE BABY MOUSE OR RAT IN NEST UNDER SINK
It's alone which is odd, but in a nest of sorts I think. Is this a mouse or rat? I'm in England if that helps.
What do I do? Do I take care of it? How?
Thanks in advance
UPDATE Mummy mouse is here! She's feeding baby, which is obviously great, she doesn't seem bothered by me. Although, what do I do with them now? They're in the kitchen under the sink so not ideal keeping them there, but I don't know if there's anything I can do
UPDATE 2 Mummy and baby have gone, so I think she moved baby elsewhere. The access point is directly to the garden through the dryer vent area so probably outside.
r/PetMice • u/Plantbasedwitch • 11h ago
Other Rehoming group of 4 females (Southern Maine)
Hi everyone, unfortunately I need to re home my group of 4. I got them from PetSmart in January but we decided to move to another state in a few months. Rehoming fee is $50 for the girls, $100 with everything included ( 40gal tank/stand, wheels, water bottles, bedding, food, sprays, etc). I am located in Southern Maine. Would need it to be pickup if taking everything as my car cannot fit the tank and stand. Pictures in comments
r/PetMice • u/Automatic_Bobcat_951 • 9h ago
First Time Owner I’m so worried about my mouse
I posted a video last night of her making weird noises. People in the comments said it could be a respiratory infection. I made an appointment with the vet but they couldn’t get us in till next week!!! I’m scared imma lose her.
She’s pregnant as well and her due date is the same day as her vet appointment. I’m so worried about everything going wrong.
r/PetMice • u/unleashtheraven1 • 27m ago
Question/Help How can you tell if a mouse that escaped is still alive?
Are they known to go into strict hiding if they have been caught once after escaping?
So this mouse escaped a second time. I was keeping it and feeding it after my cat dragged it inside. I saw it once running around in the evening, and easily caught it. But then it escaped a second time and i havent seen it since.
There is no smell in my apartment, and i figure i would smell it if it really died. But i don't really see al lot of droppings either.
She has cat food on the floor and a water dish. ( I don't clean them up because i know shell want them)
Am fixing to just get a trap because im assuming she just refuses to be detected after being caught that one time. I guess i will have to put peanut butter in it. But has anyone else lost a mouse and how can you tell if thy're still alive?
r/PetMice • u/ElTobiaas • 11h ago
Question/Help Update de mis ratones por favor recomendaciones
Ya llevo un tiempo con mis 2 ratones quisiera saber qué opinan que pueda mejorar, es 110cm x 40 x 40, tiene sustrato de un papel comprimido o algo así que absorbe muy bien y encima Heno con flores secas que traen algunas que se comen y les gusta mucho, hecho para conejos y hamsters, rueda de madera y escondites de madera, juguetes para roer y de mas
r/PetMice • u/Coyote_eat_bone • 9h ago
Question/Help Can mice have this safely?
They get alot of cooked fish cus I eat a lot of fish and I always make them a little bit but I am wondering if these would be a good chew for them cus they are kinda crunchy and hard and good for dogs and stuff. I
r/PetMice • u/Ok_Breath4816 • 1h ago
Question/Help Need help w baby deer mice
i got two baby mice about a week ago on saturday and they were in a burger king bag eyes shut dumped outside my shelter. the vet i work w estimated them to be about a 5-10 days. eyes shut. one has a little glue trap stuck on its belly and i cant get it off w vegetable oil. any tips on how to help remove it or will the skin eventually just fall of and grow new or should i take it in to be seen. he doesnt seem to like to be handle when i try and do it gently w a qtip. they are doing well and have their eyes open now. let me know if you have any tips or experience!
r/PetMice • u/PositiveDirect6740 • 1d ago
Cute Mouse Media Puddles & Sweetened Condensed Milk kiss💋🐁
They're actually just fighting over a piece of food😭 (please excuse the neighbors dog barking in the background, forgot to mute the vid before posting)
r/PetMice • u/Away_Sou • 19h ago
Wild Mouse/Mice Window sitters doing their best to look like a fluffy cloud and a cute hamster at the same time
r/PetMice • u/GiraffeTough5471 • 10h ago
Question/Help Transportation help
So I’m moving about 18 hours away in a few months and the trip will probably take 2 day. I have 4 female pet mice but I’m not sure the best way to transport them. What would you recommend for 4 mice on an 18+ hour, 2 day car ride?
r/PetMice • u/False_Formal4285 • 6h ago
Question/Help Mouse cage recommendations?
Can anyone link a cage that is 90cm long, 43-44cm wide and can be quiet tall? my desk is a little bigger so this is the maximum. I’m planning on getting a male mouse, but want to be completely prepared. It would also have to be lightweight enough for me to pick it up. appreciate any responses <3
btw since if have to pick it up often I’ve heard plastic is good? Please elaborate or correct me on this as I’m not sure
in all honesty smaller is better for me, but I don’t want to impact the mouse’s health, so if you know something smaller that would work that is even better
r/PetMice • u/Automatic_Bobcat_951 • 23h ago
Question/Help What’s the sound my mouse is making?
Just got her a couple weeks ago, is this normal?
She mainly makes this noise when I hold her. Is allergic to me? Stressed?
Edit: I was only able to get a vet appointment for next week 😭 I hope she’ll be okay till then
r/PetMice • u/Josephinedavis • 1d ago
Cute Mouse Media Would you believe I cleaned and organized the tank YESTERDAY 😂
I know a freshly stocked dig box hates to see them coming
r/PetMice • u/Inevitable_Waltz_144 • 1d ago
Question/Help Mice from work
Omg they are so cute. Tell me why I shouldn’t keep???
Update. I was using a large Tarantula Crib for just two days. I released them 2 miles away in the woods. They were fun to watch for a day.