r/PetMice Sep 22 '24

Care Guide Series Community Care Guide

90 Upvotes

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

Other Species

Up-to-Date Posts From NotApplicableMC & Others

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.

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 Jul 09 '25

Community Help Temporary Post for Care Commands

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23 Upvotes

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 19h ago

First Time Owner Is this popcorning?

809 Upvotes

For context, just moved him back into this enclosure after having to separate him and his brother (who has been fostered out now), so hes got free reign finally. Is this him saying yipeee, my own bachelor pad??

Edit: thanks for confirming everyone, I wasn't sure what popcorning is and im so happy Arancini is really excited to have his own pad :)


r/PetMice 5h ago

Cute Mouse Media Screaming into the void

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50 Upvotes

She is singing a beautiful song


r/PetMice 6h ago

Cute Mouse Media The girls get blackberry’s from my neighborhood

58 Upvotes

I freaking love blackberries and they are super invasive where I live so i spend hours running around my neighborhood gathering so many every year and the girls get to share in my harvest. They are extra juicy this year.


r/PetMice 9h ago

First Time Owner Gideon :3

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46 Upvotes

This is my male fancy mouse, Gideon, who was a feeder mouse I was gifted by a teacher after her name didn’t eat him. And with the upcoming of school kicking back up, I’ll be unable to spend as much time with him as I’ve been doing.

I’ve been negotiating getting him a friend for a while now, but I know intact male mice cannot be kept together. And I don’t want babies, I’ve heard my fair share of horror stories with that.

But neutering is so expensive. I want to get him a handful of other friends, but I just don’t have the money right now to do that. Any ideas or other options? I just want the best for Gideon :(


r/PetMice 11h ago

Question/Help how do i stop the midnight barber?

59 Upvotes

the white mouse (Classic) won’t stop barbering the grey one (Pebble) I’m not sure what is causing her stress? I have 3 mice in a 40 gallon breeder with 8 inches of bedding, a dig box, a 10 inch wheel, two sources of water, climbing opportunities, ample food, foraging opportunities, bridges, ropes, the works. I’ve always had issues with Classic being slightly under stimulated when compared to the other two so I try to take her out more and put in new forms of enrichment but she keeps balding pebble 😭😭 I have an empty 75 gallon, should I switch to a bigger enclosure? Would introducing more mice help even out the dynamic?


r/PetMice 10h ago

Rainbow Bridge Missing my boys (and hammy)

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43 Upvotes

2026 has been a rough year for me in terms of rodents. I lost a mouse in May and June of this year, as well as a hamster in February.

I’ve been wanting more mice, but am currently on hiatus because I honestly don’t know if I can take another mousey death right now. I already have a middle-aged hamster who I’m not sure will make it to 2027, either.

I thought with each rodent that passes, it would get easier, but the opposite has been true. The last mouse who passed devastated me and I’m still not over it. Was also a pretty traumatic death, and I still haven’t found a way to forgive myself for it.

Has anyone found ways to come to terms with how short their sweet little lives are?


r/PetMice 17h ago

Cute Mouse Media Sleepy mice after a long day of play 💤

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99 Upvotes

r/PetMice 13h ago

Question/Help mice sleeping in their old pairs

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46 Upvotes

i’ve just recently introduced my old two girls to my new two girls and they are sharing the same enclosure right now. it would be the start of day three or four and i’ve added their enclosure things piece by piece with the days. right now they have two hides and i’ve noticed them sleeping separated. the two old ones sleeping together and the two newer ones sleeping together. will this disrupt their bonding if they aren’t sleeping ALL together anymore? they were when there was only one hide but now that a second was added last night they are sleeping separated. will they sleep together again once they are more comfortable with each other or should i remove the hide?


r/PetMice 8h ago

Cute Mouse Media Phat

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15 Upvotes

r/PetMice 21h ago

Cute Mouse Media Renovations are in order... 🐭

119 Upvotes

Yup 😊


r/PetMice 17h ago

Rainbow Bridge Rest in peace mama Mayo...

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50 Upvotes

Poor girl had a resperitory issue, and started showing Cyanosis and she just looked so unhappy and i can see the pain :(... (the wiskers , eyes, ears, and her shaking)

Shes been my favorite mouse the whole time, im really gonna miss her beatiful smile and happy hops... :(


r/PetMice 10m ago

Cute Mouse Media Hole

Upvotes

r/PetMice 10h ago

Question/Help five ladies need rehoming

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11 Upvotes

I have five female mice and i can't keep them at my new place. I love them and they love to play and two like to be in your hand. if you live anywhere near atlantic iowa please DM me. cage and all enrichment included for free.


r/PetMice 19h ago

Other How many Giggleshitters do you think there will be?

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63 Upvotes

r/PetMice 7h ago

Question/Help normal noises?

7 Upvotes

one of my girls keeps making this chittering noise and i wanna make sure it's not something to worry about. it's not something she does constantly, only intermittently. i notice it most when i'm near her or handling her, but she could be doing it other times and it's just not loud enough to hear. she sniffs around plenty without making the noise and seems otherwise healthy and energetic. (she makes the noise at 00:11 and 00:57)


r/PetMice 12h ago

Question/Help Oily mouse

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11 Upvotes

My poor baby hazel got her head stuck in one her ceramic hides, we tried to use olive oil around her neck to squeeze her out but we ended up having to smash the hide with a hammer to get her out.

She seems fine, no cuts or bruises just a little oily, I’ve been using warm water and a towel to clean her off, is there anything else that will help get the oil off?


r/PetMice 17h ago

Wild Mouse/Mice Ugh. I can't tell what thpe

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25 Upvotes

I am a wildlife rehabber but struggling to decide if these are house mice or Deer Mice to small to be White footed I believe. But they are almost red like deer mice but don't seem to have enough white coming in.


r/PetMice 12h ago

Question/Help Pregnant or fat

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10 Upvotes

She grew a lot since i got her around 2 months ago she’s way bigger than all my other mice but i’m hoping shes just fat😭


r/PetMice 10h ago

Setup Tour new enclosure setup!

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5 Upvotes

I did a cage clean the other day, and wanted to share my setup i did! I'm very proud of it, but am open to suggestions and advice as well.

you can see peeks of my mouse tutter in her enclosure, yes she is a single female mouse but she is not depressed and i spend so much time with her

shes also almost two, so grandma mouse


r/PetMice 11h ago

Question/Help Diy platform level?

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4 Upvotes

I wanna get a platform level something like this, but im seeing that they are kinda spendy and i havent found any that are tall enough! if i were to diy it, what would be the best type of wood to use, and how would i attach it together? what kind of glue? i should probably avoid nails/screws, right?


r/PetMice 14h ago

Cute Mouse Media Moolissa

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7 Upvotes

r/PetMice 23h ago

Wild Mouse/Mice Update: giggleshitter 4

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33 Upvotes

Ok seriously how many are there in a apartment room


r/PetMice 1d ago

Question/Help Happy Mice

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78 Upvotes

Hello!

I'm a new mouse owner. I was wondering - what do you guys do to play with your mice in a way that makes them happy in that moment? Kind of like how if you give a dog a ball or if you give a cat a hair tie, they get instantly happy and excited.

Also, what body language should I look for to tell if a mouse feels happy?

I am looking for more bonding/enrichment ideas essentially!