1) Pet mice can make great pets for kids if they receive proper socialization. Mice need to interact with people on a daily basis. Otherwise, your pet mouse will not become or stay tame.
2) Because mice are social creatures, they like to live in pairs or groups. If your mouse is going to remain a loner, be sure that he receives even more attention than would a mouse living with a partner. Mice who live in pairs or groups entertain each other throughout the day, so they need a little less attention. This does not negate number 1. Even bunches of co-habitating mice need to be handled constantly in order to stay tame.
3) While handling, keep in mind that mice can be occasional biters. Keep your pet mouse away from your face or the face of a child. Also remember to wash hands after handling a pet mouse, even one with a freshly cleaned cage.
4) Because mice can escape so easily, never let kids be solely responsible for a mouse when it is out of its cage.
5) When a mouse is let out of its cage, be sure that there are no cats, dogs, reptiles or birds in the vicinity that will eat a mouse for a tasty snack
6) Mice are nocturnal animals for the most part, but they are awake during parts of the day, so they can be handled by their owners during those times. But if you or your kids want an animal that is available for attention all day long, a mouse is not the pet for that.
7) Mice will eat just about anything. Just because it will eat something doesn’t mean it should, however. Feed a mouse bagged or boxed mouse feed from the pet store. Also give it pieces of fruits, vegetables, bread, seeds, unflavored, unsalted nuts, and oats. They should be given fresh food daily, don’t let it eat pieces of fruit that have been in the cage for two days. Only give the mouse enough food for one day, empty out old leftovers and refill the bowl with fresh foods. The same procedure should be applied to the mouse’s water. A mouse needs fresh water in its bowl every day.
8) Mice are slick little guys. They escape can and will escape from a cage unless you get the right kind. Never keep a mouse in a paper, cardboard or wood carton or cage. It will chew right through the container and sneak away. Though it might seem impossible to us, mice can also chew through plastic cages. Because a mouse can squeeze through small holes and tiny spaces, don’t give the mouse a home that has bars on it, even though might look like the holes are too small for your mouse to fit through. The last thing any home needs is a loose mouse. To keep a mouse from chewing on his home, give him plenty of other things to chew on.
9) People with allergies to other animals might find that they are allergic to mouse dander, too.
10) A mouse’s bedding needs to be changed frequently. Its bedding should not be left unchanged for more than 1 week.
