Handling Your Pet Mouse
Mice are small and quick, so always handle them over a low surface in case they jump or wriggle free. Scoop your mouse up gently with both hands rather than grabbing from above, and never pick it up by the tip of the tail — support its body fully. It is only a baby now and will need plenty of time to eat and rest, so keep handling sessions short at first. Handling your mouse gently and regularly will help it get used to your scent and become more comfortable being held over time. See our website, Facebook and Insta for more tips and videos.
Teeth Health
Mice’s teeth grow constantly throughout their lives, and if they are not fed an appropriate diet and given things to chew on, teeth will overgrow. Teeth can dig into the sides of their face and make them unable to chew normally. Without proper attention, overgrown teeth can cause serious trauma, anorexia, infections, pain, and even death from the inability to chew and swallow. To avoid these problems, always have a wooden toy for them to chew on in their space.
Mite Spray
Spraying your mouse with mite and lice spray every six weeks is important as pests are very easily transmitted, even if you do not have other pets. While rare, they can contract fleas. If this does occur, the safest method is to use a flea shampoo or powder and do a complete wash of their cage and bedding.
Pet Mice Diet
A proper diet is essential for your mouse’s long-term health and wellbeing. Mice are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal material, and they generally love food and will happily eat almost anything offered to them. However, just because they will eat it does not mean it is good for them. A high-quality mouse pellet or balanced mix should make up the majority of your mouse’s diet, with treats, fruits and vegetables offered in moderation alongside it.
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At Birdsville, we recommend and stock premium options such as Vetafarm Rodent Origins, Selective Rat Pellets and our Birdsville Rat Mix. While these products are named for rats, they are equally excellent for mice and are a diet we recommend for both. These quality diets are formulated by expert nutritionists and veterinarians and contain balanced vitamins, minerals and amino acids to support long-term health and vitality. They are extrusion cooked for improved digestibility and palatability. One of our most popular options is our in-store blend, prepared with rat pellets combined with vegetables, legumes, grains, meat biscuits and fruit to provide variety and enrichment.
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At Birdsville we recommend avoiding supermarket or low-quality commercial mouse foods, as these often contain fillers, artificial additives, preservatives and waste products. Some mixes may include cheap filler food such as hard-to-digest alfalfa pellets or excessive seeds with limited nutritional value. If you decide to use a lower-quality food, we suggest supplementing your mouse’s water with Small Animal Vitamins to help ensure they receive essential nutrients.
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The additional portion of your mouse’s diet can include a variety of fresh foods offered in moderation. Suitable fruits include apple, pear, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and apricot. Healthy vegetables include pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach, romaine lettuce and squash. Mice also benefit from occasional whole protein sources such as cooked chicken (including soft bones), beef, tuna, salmon, eggs and small amounts of liver. Other occasional treats may include plain cooked rice or pasta, oatmeal, rice cakes, small pieces of cheese, dog biscuits, plain baby food and a small amount of soya milk. While mice enjoy treats just like we do, sugary and fatty foods should always be limited and fed in moderation.
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There are also certain foods that should be avoided. Do not feed excessive amounts of cheese or peanut butter, as peanut butter can pose a choking risk. Avoid dried corn, iceberg lettuce due to its low nutritional value, orange juice or peel, blue cheese dressing, licorice, rhubarb, potato skins, green or unripe potatoes, poppy seeds, and processed “junk” foods such as chips and fast food. Red cabbage and artichokes can cause gas and should also be avoided. Chocolate should only ever be given in extremely small amounts, if at all.
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Providing a balanced staple diet, fresh water daily and healthy fresh food in moderation will help ensure your pet mouse lives a long, happy and healthy life. If you are ever unsure about a particular food, our Birdsville team is always happy to assist.
Section: Hygiene
Because mice live in such close contact with their litter and bedding these must be kept clean and free from toxins. Cleaning your mouse’s cage regularly, with the right cage cleaner, is essential to avoiding unnecessary health problems. We recommend a full cage clean at least once a week, with spot cleaning in between as needed — more frequent cleaning may be needed if you have multiple mice. Ammonia fumes from urine cause irritation in the nasal passage, which makes them more susceptible to infection. If your cage gets stinky you have left it too long. Hemp and Kaytee are our most popular mouse beddings.
Section: Toys
Mice are curious and active creatures who love to explore, forage and gnaw. They’ll benefit from a variety of toys such as cardboard tubes and boxes, tunnels, climbing ropes and branches, and foraging toys that hide treats to encourage natural behaviours. A solid-surface exercise wheel (at least 8 inches, not a wire wheel) is also a great addition for mice, giving them a safe way to burn off energy. Be sure to always keep their toys clean and replace any broken ones.
Section: Enclosures (paragraph 1)
Pet mice stay quite small, but they are active and social little animals, so choosing the right enclosure is still essential. They need plenty of space to move, climb and explore, as well as room for enrichment items such as toys, a food bowl, water bottle, salt lick, hammocks, tunnels, an exercise wheel and cosy sleeping areas. A well-set-up cage keeps your mouse active, stimulated and happy. We have a huge selection of different mouse enclosures in store on our upstairs level.
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At Birdsville, we stock a wide range of enclosures in different styles and sizes to suit mice. We also offer great value specials when you purchase your mouse together with a complete setup, making it easy to get everything you need in one go.
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When selecting a cage, always consider the bar spacing. Baby mice can squeeze through the gaps in some larger wire cages that are designed for adults, and mice generally need narrower bar spacing than rats given their smaller size. If you’re unsure which enclosure is suitable, our team can help you choose the right option, and you’re welcome to test the bar spacing in store to ensure it’s safe and secure for your new pet.
Section: Please Note
Please be aware these animals are not DNA sexed. Whilst we may give an opinion on sex, this is not a guarantee, as young mice can be hard to sex. No refund, credit or exchanges will be given if an animal is not your desired sex.
Boarding line (link “Petsville Hotel” to petsvillehotel.com after pasting)
Boarding is available throughout the year, please visit Petsville Hotel to book your stay. Come see us in store if you have any concerns, or questions and feel free to bring your mouse for us to see!
