Mice 101

Dec 3rd 2009

Mice are extremely social animals and are relatively easy to tame. It's probably best to keep two or more females -- males, unless they're litter mates and have never been separated, are likely to fight bitterly (plus, females don't have as strong a musky scent), according to AFMRA Pet Rats and Mice.

Mouse Grooming and Habitat
Mice will keep themselves clean, but you'll need to clean their cage (which should be two square feet and, ideally, multi-level) fairly frequently, according to About.com. Glass cages will need to be cleaned more frequently than wire cages as ammonia will build up quickly, and it's recommended you clean before you start to smell a problem. A handy trick is to put some of the old bedding back in the cage, as mice will mark their territory, but if the old scent is there, it's less of an issue.

Common Mouse Health Issues
Mice are very healthy pets, though short-lived with lifespans of just 1.5–2 years on average. The most common health problems are skin issues, sneezing and coughing, and diarrhea, Pet-Mice.com reports. The skin problems are generally caused by a parasitic infection like mites, or food intolerance. Coughing and sneezing could be an allergy, but if you change bedding and food and the problem persists, you should separate the sick one from the rest of the mice and get to the vet. Diarrhea is usually caused by a diet with too many green vegetables. If you change your mouse's diet and see no changes, visit your vet.