How to Choose a Pet Mouse (with Pictures) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best mouse to have as a pet? ›

Fancy Mouse

Although they're quick and skittish, mice can become quite tame if handled regularly. Many learn to take food from their caretaker's hand. They live one to three years on average. As social animals, females often do well in same-sex pairs or small groups, but males tend to fight other males.

Before acquiring pet mice, consult your vet and ask about anything you may need. Your mice should be monitored for obesity, tumors, overgrown teeth, or respiratory issues. Your vet can also tell you whether your mice need spaying or neutering. They don't require any vaccinations.

Mice make excellent pets and will show their little personalities and provide lots of laughs. Children need to be taught to handle mice correctly and those under 5 years should be supervised to make sure that they always follow the correct procedure.

Mice are timid, social and territorial animals. They are not strictly nocturnal, which means they are active throughout the day and night. The female makes a better pet than the male, which tends to have a strong, offensive odor. Male mice also fight among each other and shouldn't be housed together.

If handled gently, gerbils are unlikely to bite, explains Hoppes. They have few health problems and are the cleanest of all the commonly kept pet rodents.

Shorthair. Shorthair is the standard coat fancy mice have.

The higher the DPI, the more sensitive it is. For most users, a mouse with a DPI ranging from 800 to 2000 is perfectly fine. Higher DPI mice are preferred by gamers who want extreme sensitivity where little movement is needed through the mouse to the move the pointer on the screen.

The 'pet mouse' is the domesticated form of the house mouse.

They are highly social, living in groups in which they care for each other – although in contrast to rats, mice do not enjoy much physical contact with humans. To keep a pet mouse on its own, therefore, is not kind or appropriate.

If you want a good wired mouse then you should spend $15 – $30 on your next purchase. If you want a good wireless mouse then expect to fork over $50 – $100 to get something that lasts.

Both mice and rats are also highly social animals. They become attached to each other, love their own families, and easily bond with their human guardians—returning as much affection as is given to them.

Do mice need baths? ›

Mice are particularly fastidious about keeping themselves clean so they should not need a regular bath. In fact, a change in coat can indicate underlying disease or illness so it's best to get this checked with a veterinarian. If you do need to bathe your mouse, a gentle sponge bath with a warm damp cloth is best.

Mice are highly sociable animals, so you should keep at least two mice together. Avoid housing undesexed males together as they tend to fight, and also avoid housing undesexed males and females together to avoid having any unintended litters of baby mice.

Yes. Mice need their own kind as company and love to groom and play with each other. Mice that are kept on their own can become very lonely and stressed and in extreme cases, may start to over-groom or bite themselves.

Mice can certainly learn to trust their owners with time. While they are naturally scared of humans, mice are intelligent and learn quickly.

Dogs are the best for people with anxiety to help their owners feel more confident, calm, and able to successfully deal with stressful situations. Rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, cats, and dogs something is common. These pets are shown to help people to reduce their fear and stress.

Guinea pigs are considered the sweetest and most social of the pet rodents.

Caring for pet mice

Owning and caring for mice can be very rewarding. Mice usually live for about three years, so it's a fairly long-term commitment and it's worth having a good read of what it takes to care for a mouse before you decide to buy one.

The best way to pick up your mouse is to cup your hands under them, gently lift them towards your body and let them sit on your hands. Never pick your mouse up by the middle or the end of the tail as this can injure or even remove it!

House mice are omnivorous but prefer to consume grains, fruits and seeds. Consequently, they may cause severe damage to crops and domestic gardens. Although it is commonly believed that mice are attracted to cheese, they tend to prefer foods that are higher in carbohydrates.

Wired vs Wireless Mouse: Verdict

If you value performance and reliability over a cable-free aesthetic, you should go for a wired mouse. Since wired mice plug directly into your computer, there is no chance of interference from other devices, and the latency is negligible.

What is the best mouse size? ›

If the measurement is 15cm or below, you are best suited to a small ergonomic mouse. If sizing falls between 15-17.8cm, a medium/standard-sized mouse is your best option. And if that number goes above 17.8cm, start browsing our selection of large ergonomic mice.

Both the expensive and cheap gaming mice are worth it. Although expensive gaming mice cost more, they have more advantages over cheaper ones. They have a good grip, adjustable weights, programmable buttons, RGB lights, better DPI or sensitivity, and many other features that are not available on the cheaper ones.

House mice are considered dangerous and destructive pests. Because they carry and transmit viruses, bacteria and other diseases, mice are considered to be troublesome pests.

Having an infestation of mice in your home can threaten the health of you and your family. Mice have been known to transmit a multitude of diseases like lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and even rat-bite fever.

Mice are small, fast moving and fragile. They can easily be injured by rough handling or by jumping out of your hands. If you do handle them, it's important to pick them up carefully so they don't get frightened.

In grip you want it to be grippy enough so that you can easily pick up and move the mouse, but not too grippy where it sticks to dust or makes your thumb too uncomfortable. Internally, the mouse should be solidly constructed, no creaks when you twist the mouse and no soft plastic spots.

How Long Should a Computer Mouse Last? The average lifespan of standard computer mice can vary. However, most lifespan estimations fall around 5-7 years for the average user. However, if you do anything on the computer regularly, like work or gaming, this number can go down to 2-3 years.

Pet mice each cost between $5 and $10, in most cases. This means you can buy a pair for just $10 to $20! You also need to provide a cage for about $40, hamster wheel for $20, and food and bedding supplies at the cost of about $20 per month.

The sensation of a gentle touch can make mice happier and more sexually receptive, thanks to skin neurons that are sensitive to touch and activate a reward pathway in the brain¹.

Pointy ears going up and down. Your friend's tiny ear position will determine his mood at the current time. If the mouse is happy and having fun, his ears are pointing upward. But when it is down and pointed back, it shows that the mouse is having a bad mood and is telling you to back off.

What is the least smelly rodent? ›

The least stinky rodent pet is a gerbil or chinchilla. They are desert creatures, so they rarely drink and urinate. Their poops are dry and odorless. Provided that you remove waste when you see it, the cage shouldn't smell too bad.

Under no circ*mstances should you flush a dead mouse down the toilet. There are many potential problems when flushing anything that is not meant to be flushed. Even if the rodent appears small, it may not go down smoothly, resulting in a clog…or worse.

Clutter. Because mice love to nest and burrow, they will often seek out cluttered areas to make themselves at home, and any place that provides warmth and a sufficient hiding place will fit the bill. And as clutter builds upon itself, it becomes more difficult to clean, which then further encourages rodents to burrow.

A common misconception is that mice are only attracted to dirty places or areas with lots of trash, that is not the case. In fact, mice are explorers who go around looking for any source of food they can find. Just because your home is clean, doesn't mean you're protected from a mice infestation.

Mice need a safe, secure, hazard-free home cage that's comfortable, dry, draught-free and clean, in a quiet place where they can rest undisturbed.

Amped-Up Grooming

He might even resort to this self-soothing behavior (constant, vigorous grooming) if he has no respite from bright lights; no den to retreat to or because of many other factors. A stressed-out mouse might even start to gnaw off his own fur and leave a bald spot in its wake.

Mice are adaptable and resilient animals, but their small bodies need calories for consistent energy. Unlike their minimal need for water, mice must consume food every two to four days. Mice continually crave food, and they have a speedy metabolism. Mice nibble constantly to satisfy their cravings.

Suitable bedding materials are wood chips (non-aspen), cellulose based chips or shredded filter paper. Bedding material should be at least 2cm deep to allow your mice to dig. Fine saw dust, wood shavings and aspen bedding must not be used as they can cause health problems.

The minimum size cage for a mouse is 18 inches long x 12 inches wide x 12 inches high. For each additional mouse, increase the floor area by half a square foot. The bars on a wire cage should be no more than 1/4 inch apart —mice can squeeze through very small places.

Mice are extremely active and need an exercise wheel and/or supervised time out of the cage to prevent cage paralysis. A mouse will hardly ever jump from a height of more than two feet, so you can build your mouse a "gym" for exercise.

Can you introduce a new mouse? ›

Introducing mice to each other

A few hidey-holes will offer welcome refuge, but make sure that you can easily step in to remove them if they start to squabble. Once the cage is set up, the mice can be placed in at the same time. Usually they'll just walk straight past each other and explore their new surroundings.

Clean the cage completely once a week by replacing dirty bedding and wiping down the rest of the cage. Note that male mice will tend to produce more odor than females, so their cages may need to be cleaned more often. Like that of all rodents, a mouse's sharp front teeth grow continuously.

You might also want to avoid keeping them in bedrooms as the noise may prevent the occupant from sleeping – making for a happy mouse but an unhappy owner. Mice like to spend a lot of their time underground. To keep your pet mouse happy, provide tunnels or substrate they can build tunnels through.

It can be a bit tricky to handle pet mice as they're small and quick, but once they're tamed, they can be picked up, handled, and can make great pets, (even for kids). It's easiest to tame a mouse that's relaxed and comfortable in its surroundings. Starting with young mice will make the taming process much easier.

Mice mark their territory, just like dogs. However, while pet dogs stake their claims outdoors, a pet mouse doesn't have that option. Mouse odor overpowers air fresheners and can fill a room quickly. Although they make friendly and playful pets, this stink can be off-putting to their owners.

What food is irresistible to mice? People often think cheese is the best food to catch mice, but there is an even better option. Peanut butter is the most cost-effective food that rodents seem to love. Its strong nutty aroma and sweetness make it the perfect mouse trap bait.

Do mice need to be in pairs? Mice don't need to just live in pairs, they can live in groups, as long as they have a strong bond with their own species. They'll tend to sleep together and maintain their enclosure and help clean each other. A group of females can happily live together in pairs or small groups regardless.

Hamster vs Mouse: Behavior

Hamsters are also very friendly and easygoing, while mice tend to be more shy and curious overall, warming up to their owners in time. While it will depend on the individual rodent, many pet hamsters require more exercise than mice.

The least stinky rodent pet is a gerbil or chinchilla. They are desert creatures, so they rarely drink and urinate. Their poops are dry and odorless. Provided that you remove waste when you see it, the cage shouldn't smell too bad.

Pointy ears going up and down. Your friend's tiny ear position will determine his mood at the current time. If the mouse is happy and having fun, his ears are pointing upward. But when it is down and pointed back, it shows that the mouse is having a bad mood and is telling you to back off.

Do mice recognize their owners? ›

Just like a dog or a cat, mice can recognize human faces and get excited when they see (and smell) their people coming. They are adept at navigating mazes and can even use their smarts to learn tricks. Like dogs, they are very treat motivated, especially if they are going to be rewarded with cheese or fruit.

The best home for your pet mice is a wire cage with a plastic tray floor. Tanks can be used, but it's important that they have ventilation holes in them (as some vivariums do) and a secure wire lid. Avoid deep aquariums as they may not provide the right air flow.

House mice are omnivorous but prefer to consume grains, fruits and seeds. Consequently, they may cause severe damage to crops and domestic gardens. Although it is commonly believed that mice are attracted to cheese, they tend to prefer foods that are higher in carbohydrates.

Do pet mice bite? Pet mice may bite you when you handle them. You can minimize your chances of getting bitten by wearing gloves when you put your hands in their cage or when you pick them up.

Rats are better able than mice to make friends with other family pets and these relationships can be really enjoyable to watch. Mice are a bit too fragile for this and are usually seen as a snack - especially for cats! Rats are known to pair particularly well with dogs and cats.

Cats have been known to help with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and more, just like dogs. If you're looking for a pet that requires a little less attention, a cat might be your best bet. They still make for great companions, but they're also okay with being alone for a while.

Most domestic cats and dogs love to be around their owners. The more popular small pets, such as rabbits, ferrets, rats, and guinea pigs, also display a high degree of affection.