How to care for your pet mouse or rat

Mice and rats are friendly, curious little animals that can make rewarding pets. If you are thinking about getting one, it's worth learning how to care for them first. As with any pet, buy or adopt from a reputable breeder or rescue.

Never keep mice and rats together. Rats are natural predators of mice.

Choosing healthy animals

A healthy mouse or rat should be alert rather than very timid, with bright eyes and a clean coat. Look out for bald patches, which can be a sign of a health problem unless the animal is from a hairless variety.

Company

Rats and female mice are sociable and should live in same-sex groups of two or more. Male mice often fight, so ask the breeder or rescue for advice.

Food and water

Make sure fresh, clean water is available at all times. A drip bottle fixed to the side of the cage works well, and you can add a small water bowl too. In the warmer months, monitor their water intake and top up when needed.

Feed a complete food made for rats or mice, such as nuggets or blocks, plus small amounts of fresh vegetables. Fruit is an occasional treat. Gnawing on suitable chews also helps keep their teeth in good shape.

The cage

Your pets need a secure cage with space for food, a drip bottle, an exercise wheel, bedding and a hiding place where they can rest. A small wooden house makes a good hideaway if the cage doesn't have one.

Good ventilation is important. Without it, ammonia from urine can build up and make your pets ill. A thermometer near the cage helps you keep an eye on the temperature.

Keep the cage out of draughts and direct sunlight, as mice and rats can overheat or get too cold. Provide extra bedding in colder months. In hot weather, move the cage to a cooler room out of direct sunlight.

Bedding

Shredded plain paper makes good bedding. Avoid printed paper, as ink can irritate their skin. Plain paper towels or tissue give them material to build nests.

Exercise and toys

Mice and rats are active and love to explore.

• Wheel: choose a solid wheel rather than a wire one, as it is safer. It should be big enough for your pet to run without bending its back. Mice love a big wheel to run in.
• Toys: cardboard tubes and paper are cheap and can keep them busy for hours.
• Chews: safe wooden chews give them something to gnaw.
• Climbing: mice and rats love to climb. A piece of rope fixed inside the cage gives them something to scurry along or hang from.

Keeping them clean

Mice and rats groom themselves and don't need bathing. Male mice do have a stronger smell than females.

When you clean the cage, keep back a little of the old, clean bedding so it still smells familiar to them.

Handling and safety

Mice and rats can be good pets for children, but an adult should supervise handling. Everyone should wash their hands before and after handling them, as rodents can carry germs that can pass to people, and the reverse.

Keep them safe from other pets. Dogs, cats and snakes might see them as food.

Helping them settle in

Give a new mouse or rat a few days in its cage to get used to its new home before you start handling it. If you need to move it in the meantime, a cardboard tube or paper cup can help.

The first thing to teach is getting them accustomed to their home environment and comfortable sitting on your hand. Offer your hand regularly and let them climb on in their own time. It can take a few weeks before they feel safe.