Description: Children have always been fond of keeping mice and rats as pets, especially young boys. Intensive breeding over hundreds of generations has resulted in many colorful and interesting species. Rats and mice are generally inexpensive and easy to care for. With regular handing, they are easy to tame and even grow to enjoy human interaction. Because of their size, these pets require delicate handling and are not suitable for small children.
Size: Mice (1.1 oz); Rats (10.0-17.0 oz). In both species, the males are larger than females.
Compatibility: Mice and rats are social. With enough space, rats can be kept in same-sex groups of pairs or trios. Mice can be kept in larger groups of the same sex, although the bucks (males) have a tendency to fight. Rats and mice are prolific breeders. Different sexes should not be combined unless you are intentionally trying to breed them.
Appeal: Rats and mice are the least expensive "pocket-pets" to keep and need the smallest amount of room. They are generally lively and interesting to watch. Most can be easily tamed and are easy to care for.
Drawbacks: Mice and rats have short life-spans. They are prolific breeders. When frightened, mice and rats can bite. They can be easily injured and are not suited to small children.
Diet: Rats and mice should be fed a balanced or "complete" seed mix or specially formulated pellets.
Problems & Health Issues: These rodents are more susceptible to respiratory infections and tumors.
Lifespan: Mice and rats have short life-spans. Mice typically only live 2-5 years and rats from 3-4 years.
Interesting Facts: A female mouse can be biologically ready to breed within an hour of giving birth.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do I take care of a half-dead baby mouse?
By Hannah from Bellwood, PA
My adult daughter loved mice, guinea pigs ect. She had 3. One by one they passed and she was devastated. Once they became ill there wasnt much hope. She was a vet tech and said they are
If the mouse has been attacked by a cat, then only a course of antibiotics will help. Remember, they are small and have small lifespans, let it go if it is time to let it go.
Blessings,
Robyn
I see that your post was on July 1. I hope your little friend is still around. You may know this, you may not, but mommy mice rub their baby's belly from the top down after they eat, as (for some reason) their bodies can't get the poop out otherwise.
My daughter has 2 pet mice. She wants to know if we put a branch from a gardenia plant in the cage for them to play on will the flowers or leaves hurt the mice if they eat it?
By Bobbie from Gympie Qld, Australia
I have three pet mice and I recommend not to do that they would probably just eat the leaves. You could put vegetables in their food. They love them.
While it is possible to keep mice and gerbils together, it is usually not recommended as they will become territorial in such a small enclosure. This is a page about can mice and gerbils live together?
