CARING FOR PET MICE Recommendations Sponsored by The Governor’s Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals

Basic Mouse Care • Small boxes or flower pots should be included as hiding places. Mice love Domestic pet mice are usually referred to run through “tunnels” like PVC tub- to as “fancy mice” . They are curious and ing, or something made of strong, charming pets, but very fragile. Children safe cardboard. AVOID cedar or pine should be supervised when playing with shavings, they are hazardous to their them. health. • Tree branches to climb on will be much • Average is 3 ½ inches, not including the appreciated, ladders also, plus plenty tail. Mice may live up to 3 years. of safe things to chew on. Toys such • Mice should be obtained from a reputa- as for a parakeet, or small parrot are ble breeder or your local animal shelter. good. Mice love exercise wheels. Wheel • Mice are very social with their own should be solid, without wire rungs to kind, so owning more than one would catch their feet or tails. be ideal. A pair of females is recom- • The habitat should be located away mended or two males if they were in- from direct sunlight or drafty areas. troduced at a very early age. Mice are VERY prone to colds and heat • Because pet mice are very intelligent stroke. social animals, they can quickly become bored if enough activity and stimula- Diet tion are not provided. This can result • The main part of the diet should be in undesirable activities such as excess good commercial rodent chow, either chewing or gnawing, constant moving block or pellet form. The food selected or rearrangement of accessories, or should contain at least 18 percent fiber, regular attempts to escape. 16 percent protein and 4 percent fat. • It is recommended that mice get small Housing portions of fruit and veggies every day • A large 10 gallon aquarium with a wire such as peas, broccoli, carrots, apples cover works well. There also should be and bananas. several inches of bedding. This set-up • Mice should NOT be given chocolate, will work for up to 3-4 mice. Wire cages corn, candy, carbonated or caffeinated used for gerbils are dangerous because drinks, or any kind of sticky food like of the space between the wires. If a peanut butter or toffee, junk food, pea- little finger can fit between them then nuts, or uncooked beans or onions. the mouse will be able to escape or get • Fresh water should be provided via a injured trying. water bottle with a drinking tube that • Several inches of bedding of aspen, attaches to the side of the cage. hardwood shavings or recycled paper products MUST be provided. AVOID ce- Additional Recommendations dar or pine shavings, they are hazard- • The cage should be tidied up daily; with ous to their health. a scrub down once a week. Remove droppings, old food, and soiled bedding daily for at least an hour’s supervised every day. At least once a week replace play time. This can be considered the bedding after scrubbing the cage MANDATORY for maintaining a happy, down with warm soapy water. healthy mouse. It is recommended to • Male mice are more odorous than fe- do so in a small, secure area where males and will need their habitats your pet won’t get stuck in furniture or cleaned thoroughly more than once a chew electrical wires, etc. week. • Like every rodent, mice teeth never Veterinary Care stop growing. So it is essential that Common signals that a mouse is sick are they have something they can have sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, available all day to gnaw on, such as: weight loss and lethargy. They also eas- untreated, unpainted pieces of wood, ily get external parasites like lice, fleas. fruit tree branches (avoids splintering), Veterinary care should be sought for a sick dog biscuits or rawhide chews. mouse. • Once a mouse has been hand tamed, they should be let out of their cages Possible Signs of Illness, Neglect, or Intentional Cruelty

Appearance of Animal from dish and hoard it); overcrowded Fur standing on end, or wet, or matted; quarters; too hot a location. runny eyes and nose; thin; wet rump; evidence of fighting, such as bite marks Behavior around eyes, ears or rump; diarrhea. Unresponsive; animals fighting with each other. Housing Conditions Filthy cage; wet bedding and strong odor; lack of water and food (look under bed- ding, as all but guinea pigs may take food Reporting Cruelty

Animal cruelty should be reported to the police department of the town in which the animal lives. Please leave your name and contact information so that a follow-up response may be made. Additional Resources Pet Mice www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm ASPCA www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/mouse-care.aspx

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm

For more information about animal cruelty, visit www.humane.nh.gov Be sure to view the Interactive Presentation on the Welcome Page.