Mice - being able to behave normally

Do my mice need toys?

As well as plenty of exercise, mice need things in their cage that they can climb on and explore. They should have an exercise wheel – but make sure it doesn’t have spaces between the rungs, as their legs or tail can get trapped and injured between the gaps. They also need suitable toys such as cardboard rolls and boxes, as well as those made specifically for small pets. Ladders, ropes, plastic tubes, seesaws and untreated apple-tree branches are all available to buy. It’s particularly important to provide shelters and hiding places, as mice get frightened easily. 

A gnawing block should be provided because this helps your mice wear their teeth down. 

Scatter some of the food for your mice around the cage and hide some in tubes, to encourage interest and activity. 

Should I give my mice several different toys at the same time? 

You should offer different toys in different weeks so your mice stay stimulated and don’t get bored. When a particular toy isn’t being used one week, this also gives you a good opportunity to clean it. 

Handling

What’s the best way to handle a mouse?

Mice should be carefully handled from a young age so that they become used to being handled and aren’t scared by it. This will reduce the chances of their biting someone.

Always be gentle. Both hands should be used as a scoop, and the mouse should be held low over a flat surface. Even a small fall can cause serious injury.