Mice are small, curious and intelligent animals that make great pets. They’re also one of the most common pet rodents. But because they’re so popular as pets, many people have misconceptions about mice. Do they make good pets for children? Read on to learn more about keeping pet mice as companions. These helpful tips will help you decide if a mouse is right for you and your family.
Are Mice Good Pets for Children?
Many people mistakenly think mice are inappropriate pets for children. In reality, mice make wonderful pets for responsible kids. In fact, kids often make great mouse owners. Mice are easy to care for and are excellent for kids who want to learn responsibility.
- Mice are small and easy to handle.
- Mice are quiet, easy-going and won’t interrupt household activities.
- Mice are very social and can be great companions for kids.
- Mice are inexpensive to care for.
- Mice are easy to keep as pets.
- Mice are easy to find.
- Mice are easy to find in humane societies and shelters.
- Mice can be easily litter trained.
- Mice can learn tricks and be trained to use a wheel.
- Mice are easy to transport.
- Mice are easy to travel with.
- Mice are inexpensive to feed and maintain.
- Mice are easy to find in pet stores.
Basic Care Requirements for Pet Mice
- Mice are social animals and should be kept in pairs.
- Mice should be kept in an aquarium or habitat and not in a cage.
- Mice need an enriched environment with places to explore and climb.
- Mice like to chew and will chew up everything if they aren’t given toys to chew.
- Mice need extra protein in their diet.
- Mice shouldn’t be kept with other rodents.
- Mice shouldn’t be kept with reptiles or amphibians.
- Mice shouldn’t be kept with birds or small animals.
- Mice should be kept in a warm environment.
- Mice should be kept in a clean environment.
Things to Consider Before Acquiring Pet Mice
- Mice are nocturnal and may be active at night.
- Mice are messy and will need to be kept in a large aquarium or habitat.
- Mice can be aggressive.
- Mice can be infected with diseases.
- Mice can be difficult to find in humane societies and shelters.
- Mice are easy to acquire but hard to find in pet stores.
- Mice are quick to reproduce and can quickly become a large colony.
- Mice can be loud and vocal.
- Mice can be destructive if they don’t have enrichment.
- Mice can chew through electrical cords.
How to Care for Pet Mice (and their Costs)
Pet mice are cheap to keep and they are easy to find in humane societies and shelters. In fact, mice are one of the most common pets found in humane societies and shelters. You can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $10 for a single mouse. You can also expect to spend around $50 on a decent aquarium or habitat for your new pet mouse.
- Food: Mice are omnivorous, but should get extra protein in their diet. Expect to spend about $5-$10 on food each month.
- Habitat: Mice need their own large aquarium or habitat. Expect to spend $50-$100 on a good aquarium or habitat.
- Medical Care: Mice can be infected with several diseases, including mites and fleas. Expect to spend $60-$100 on medical care for your mice each year.
- Vet Care: Mice are easy to find in humane societies and shelters. However, you should still have your mice checked for diseases. Expect to spend $60-$100 on vet care for your mice each year.
- Extra Equipment: Mice like to chew and will chew up everything if they aren’t given toys to chew. Expect to spend $5-$10 per year on toys.
- Other: Mice can be noisy and destructive if they don’t have enrichment. Expect to spend $5-$10 per year on enrichment.
The Pros of Owning Pet Mice
- Mice are social creatures and like to be kept in pairs.
- Mice are easy to care for and don’t require much space.
- Mice are inexpensive to maintain.
- Mice are easy to find in humane societies and shelters
- Mice are easy to transport
- Mice can be kept in an aquarium or habitat
- Mice can be kept indoors
- Mice can be kept in a warm environment
- Mice can be kept in a clean environment
- Mice are easy to find in pet stores
The Cons of Owning Pet Mice
- Mice are nocturnal
- Mice are messy
- Mice can be aggressive
- Mice can be infected with diseases
- Mice can be difficult to find in humane societies and shelters
- Mice are easy to acquire but hard to find in pet stores
- Mice can be loud and vocal
- Mice can be destructive if they don’t have enrichment
- Mice can chew through electrical cords - Mice are difficult to find in pet stores
- Mice are quick to reproduce and can quickly become a large colony
- Mice can be difficult to transport
Bottom line
You can keep mice as pets and they make good companions for kids. Mice are easy to care for and don’t require much space. Mice are inexpensive to maintain and easy to find. In addition, mice are easy to transport, can be kept indoors and are easy to find in pet stores. If you’re thinking about keeping pet mice, be sure to consider these benefits and drawbacks.
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