The mouse

General care and particularities of the pet mouse

A guest of human dwellings since prehistory, native to Asia and the Near East, the mouse colonised Europe by sea from the 17th century onwards. It is used as a laboratory animal because it is easy to keep and to breed.

More than 130 species of mouse are recognised, including the house mouse, which comes in many colours.

Living environment:

• It is rather easy to keep, living alone or in a group. Mice are very active, and their environment should be made up of play areas. If handled from a very young age, they make an ideal companion for children.
• Cage: min: 60x35x35cm
• Bedding: wood shavings, hemp bedding, avoid sawdust. The urine gives off a strong, unpleasant smell, so the bedding should be changed at least twice a week.
• Ambient temperature: 19-21 degrees, avoid draughts.

Diet:

• An omnivorous rodent that consumes less than 5 grams of food per day, it needs commercial pellets supplemented by a home-prepared ration of vegetables, fruit, white meat, hard-boiled egg, in moderation.
• Avoid excess food that is too high in fat (cheese).
• The water bottle should be refreshed daily.

Care:

• Changing the bedding, cleaning and disinfecting should be done regularly, at least once or twice a week.

Common diseases

Consultations are rare, but the mouse can present respiratory problems, tumours, skin problems and digestive disorders.

Its airways are fragile: repeated sneezing or noisy breathing should raise the alarm.

Lumps under the skin (tumours) can appear, especially in the older mouse. Feel over it from time to time to spot them early.

The skin can be affected by parasites or a fungus (mange, ringworm): itching, hair loss, crusts. Digestive disorders (soft stools, soiled hindquarters) are also possible.