The Best Mouse Cages (Review) in 2021

Now that the product overview section is complete, we move onto the buying guide part, where we will look at some of the other interesting points to consider. This will include a look at the top features to think about, the types of mice cage available, and how to set one of these up in the first place. We then move onto our frequently asked questions section.

Features to Consider When Choosing a Mouse Cage for Your Pet

• Size

Size certainly matters when you are choosing a mouse cage for your pet. You need to give your mouse enough room to roam around and enjoy life as much as possible. If you have multiple mice in there, you need to allow enough space for them all to live happily together. Female mice tend to need less space than two meals as they are less likely to become territorial and aggressive with one another.

• Narrow bars

You may be amazed by just how small a space a mouse can squeeze themselves into, and you certainly don’t want your little furry friend to escape. You should pick a cage with narrow spaces between the bars to ensure that there is no chance of losing your beloved pet.

• Exercise and play

You want your mouse to be able to have enough room to exercise and play – two important parts of their lifestyle and wellbeing. Look out for additional features that encourage these things such as tunnels and wheels. Or look at cages that have the option of installing more things around them to encourage exercise and play. You also need to ensure that enough space is left over for your mouse to live comfortably.

• Portability

If you plan on taking the cage to different places, you need to ensure that it is easily portable. It will help if it is lightweight and there are some handles that you can lift.

• Additional

We have already mentioned the inclusion of wheels and tunnels but keep an eye out for any other features that may prove to be desirable such as water bottles and food bowls. This way, there is no need to purchase them separately.

• Chew proof

As we talked about earlier, mice can be escape artists, and one of the tools at their disposal is their sharp teeth. You don’t want to risk your little furry friend gnawing through the bars and getting away.

• Well ventilated

You don’t want your mouse to become too hot while they are in the cage, so it helps if there is some open space all around to ensure that a good breeze gets flowing through it.

• Accessibility

While the cage is going to be the place where your mouse spends a lot of their time, it is still important that you open it up from time to time to offer them some much-needed interaction. This way, you are helping to strengthen the bond between the two of you. There need to be some accessibility points where you can take your mouse out. You also need them so you can clean their cage and create a clean-living environment. However, thorough cleaning is only required once in a while as mice like being able to smell their scent as a mark of their territory.

Types of Mice Cages

• Wire cages

First up, you have the wire cages, which are a popular choice as they are affordable and offer good ventilation. Their advantages include allowing your mouse to climb up the sides, as well as allowing for interaction while they are still inside. There are also some wire cages that you can easily affix onto the top of an existing glass tank.

• Glass tanks

The other main choice of small mouse cage to discuss is the glass tank variety. A couple of advantages are their ease of cleanliness and the fact that there is very little chance of your mouse escaping. This is particularly important for homes with other pets – especially natural hunters like cats. You access your mouse from the top of the cage.

• Fully integrated cages

Some pet mice cages have everything that your mouse needs already built into them including food bowls, water bottles, tunnels, and wheels. While they tend to be at the more expensive end of the scale, the main advantage is that everything your mouse needs is already right there.

How to Setup a Mouse Cage

The individual steps to set up a small animal cage depend largely on the variety that you buy. Some of them come already preassembled, whereas others need some setup. First, you need to choose the correct place in your home to house your mouse. It needs to be a place that is safe and secure, as well as one that is free from the risk of being attacked by other household pets. Mice are at risk of overheating, so choose a place that has indirect natural light throughout the day. You should also choose a space that is away from loud noises to stop your mouse from getting upset or startled. Keep the room at a steady temperature as much as possible.

You will then need to put bedding material along the bottom, whether this is hay, shredded paper etc. Choose different materials for your mouse to choose which ones they like. Avoid things like sawdust, pine shavings etc as these things can be damaging. Attach a water bottle that has a drinking tube, allowing your mouse to access liquid whenever they want it. Next, put in the food bowls. You should try to raise them off the ground to prevent bedding materials from getting inside.

Next, there are all the little extras that can turn a house into a home. The first of these is a house or hidey-hole, where your little furry friend can feel safe and secure at more stressful times. If you have multiple mice, you will also need multiple hidey-holes as they can be quite territorial creatures who don’t like to have their space invaded. Then, you will need to put in multiple toys, so your mouse doesn’t become bored while they are in there. Of course, there are plenty of options available to buy online, but sometimes, you can simply use some toilet roll tubes as tunnels. Add some new things in there from time to time to keep things interesting for your mouse.

Best Mouse Cage FAQ:

Q: How big should a mouse cage be?

A: As a general rule of thumb, your pet mouse cage needs to be five inches high and up to 15 inches across. But if you have more than one mouse, you are going to need to expand these measurements. But there is nothing wrong with going for more space than your mouse needs as they will happily roam free.

Q: Can mice live in hamster cages?

A: You should not keep mice and hamsters together in the same cage as this may cause stress to both creatures and puts them both at risk. However, some cages that have been specifically designed for hamsters are suitable for mouse usage.

Q: What do mice need in their cage?

A: Mice need a few things for a happy and healthy home life. First, they need proper bedding as a source of comfort and hygiene. Choose materials that are safe and appropriate for them. Next, it helps to have some little mouse houses where your little furry friend can retreat to rest or sleep. A water bottle is a good addition as it is very easy for the bowls to become dirty quickly. Then you need some food bowls that will ideally be off the ground to stop them from getting dirty. You will need to regularly refill these with quality mouse food. Then you need a wheel for your mouse to get their exercise. And there are all the options extras like tunnels that can add even more enjoyment to your mouse’s life.

Q: How often should a mouse cage be cleaned?

A: There are a few factors that can affect how often the mice cage needs cleaning including the type of cage, number of mice, and type of litter, but as a general rule of thumb, once a week is a good amount.

Our Top Pick

With its two-story design and ramp between the two, this one ranks as our number one option of mouse cage. It comes fully equipped with much of what your little furry friend needs including a water bottle, food dish, and an exercise wheel. At the top, the easy access door allows you to get your mouse out of the cage when needed for interaction, or for playing or maintenance.

Sources:

1. Laurie Hess, DVM, Housing Rodents, VCA Hospitals
2. Getting a Pet Mouse, WebMD