gluminal: How to Set up a Mouse Cage

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Mice are fun little creatures that don't require a lot of equipment. You'll need a large cage so your mice have space to run around and interact. Put the cage somewhere where the mice will feel safe and comfortable. Then fill it with cozy bedding, toys, food, and water. You'll enjoy watching the mice make their own nests within the cage and play with one another.

EditSteps

EditSelecting a Cage

Choose from cages designed specifically for mice. Since mice are smaller than most pet rodents, you'll need to pick a simple cage that's designed for their tiny size. It should also have good ventilation so the mice won't overheat. For these reasons, don't buy hamster cages or glass aquariums designed for other animals.^[1]
- Look for cages at pet stores, online, or at second-hand shops.
Get a cage that's large enough to house all of your mice. Plan for of cage space for the first mouse and add for each additional mouse in the cage. This will give all of the mice plenty of space to run and interact with each other.^[2]
- For example, if you have 4 mice, you'll need a cage that's at least in size.
- If you have male and female mice that you don't intend to breed, put them in separate cages.
Pick a cage made of plastic or metal. You'll need a cage made of a material that's easy to clean and won't absorb urine. Cages made from plastic are inexpensive and lightweight although they are more likely to break than metal cages. Metal cages are usually stronger and provide good air circulation.^[3]
- Avoid buying a cage made of wood, since urine will soak into it before you can clean it.
Check that the bars are no more than apart. Since mice can escape if the bars are too wide, look for a cage that has narrow spacing. Instead of just glancing at the bar width, take the time to measure the distance between bars.^[4]

EditPositioning the Cage

Pick a room that's safe and secure. Although you might not think your mice will escape, you should be prepared for a surprise escape. The room must be safe enough so that if the mice got out, they wouldn't be attacked by other house pets, such as cats, dogs, rats, or ferrets.^[5]
Find a spot with indirect natural light so your mice can get some vitamin D. Put the cage in a room in your house that gets natural light throughout the day. Since mice can overheat, keep the cage out of direct sunlight or bright light.^[6]
- For example, instead of setting the cage in front of a window that gets direct sunlight, place it against the wall that's perpendicular to the window.
Choose a space away from loud noises to prevent startling the mice. Mice have very sensitive hearing so the room where you put the cage should be free from high-pitched sounds or sudden bursts of noise. The room shouldn't contain loud sound systems, alarms, or telephones.^[7]
- For example, don't put the cage against a wall that's shared with a loud washing machine or dryer. These can vibrate the cage and make noises that irritate the mice.
Keep the room between and . It's important to keep the temperature around the cage at a constant temperature that's comfortable for the mice. You should also keep the cage in a room that doesn't have humidity fluctuations.^[8]
- For example, rooms like an air-conditioned office or a small bathroom aren't good for the cage since these rooms can become too dry or too humid for the mice.

EditFilling the Cage

Spread at least of bedding across the bottom of the cage. Purchase hay, shredded paper, or aspen shavings to spread in the cage. This will insulate the cage and the mice can use the bedding to create nests for sheltering.^[9]
- Use a variety of materials so the mice can choose what they want to build their nests with.
Avoid using bedding that can sicken or injure the mice. Sawdust, cedar shavings, and pine shavings can cause respiratory problems so leave these out of the cage. You should also avoid putting cotton wool or fluffy bedding into the cage. The mice can shred these and choke on them or become tangled.^[10]
- If you choose to use aspen shavings, ensure that the shavings are made from toxic-free wood.
Put a water container in the cage for the mice to drink from. Attach a water bottle that has a drinking tube to the side of the cage. This will keep the water fresh because the tube will only dispense water when the mice want to drink. Check the water every day to ensure the mice always have access to fresh water.^[11]
- While you can set a water bowl in the cage, some mice like to throw bedding into it, so you may need to change the water frequently.
Place a food bowl in the cage. Pour mouse food into a clean bowl and place it in the cage. Try to raise the bowl up off of the bedding so bedding material doesn't get into the food bowl.^[12]
- You may see the mice remove some of the food from the bowl and hide it in the bedding. This is normal behavior.
Add a house or hidey hole so the mice feel safe. Your mice will like somewhere to hide and feel secure even if they make their own nests in the cage. Set a small plastic domed house or hut in the cage so your mice can retreat and feel safe.^[13]
Include lots of toys for your mice to play with. To prevent your mice from becoming bored or sedentary, put toys for your mice to chew on and a rodent wheel in the cage. Choose a large plastic rodent wheel since their feet can become stuck in metal wire wheels. As for chewing toys, consider using:^[14]
- Paper towel or toilet paper tubes
- Hemp rope toys
- Plain wooden craft sticks
- Wood from a fruit tree, such as apple or cherry