How to Keep Pet Mice Safe from Other Pets

A pet mouse can be a wonderful addition to your family, but if you already have other pets in your home that may view them as prey, it is important to take the proper precautions. You can keep your new family member safe and out of harm's way by choosing the proper housing, ensuring they are in a safe location and familiarizing your current pets with your new mice. It may take a little time to find the safest place for your mice, but finding that perfect place for them will be worth it in the end!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Selecting the Appropriate Enclosure

1
Select a gnaw-proof cage to house your new furry friend. Mice are notorious for chewing their way out or into unwanted areas. To ensure the safety of your mice use a terrarium or an aquarium with a screen top.^{[1]XResearch source}
- When choosing an aquarium or terrarium, make sure that your mice have enough room to stand upright.^{[2]XResearch source}
- The area of the base of the cage should be no less than 30 centimetres (12 in) by 30 centimetres (12 in) and have a height of at least 45 centimetres (18 in).^{[3]XResearch source}
- Keep in mind, while these options will prevent your mice from wandering outside their cage, they have poor ventilation and can cause the cage to heat up quickly. This can cause a dangerous environment for your mice.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you choose this type of home do not put it in direct sunlight and sources of heat. Also, make sure it is in an area that is well ventilated.^{[5]XResearch source}
2
Opt for stainless steel or wrought iron cages. These cages are sturdy and have smaller spacing between bars, no more than .5 inches (1.3 cm).^{[6]XResearch source} This will allow your mice to climb inside the cage without escaping.
- Make sure there are no openings that allow your mice to escape. A small spacing between the bars is fine, as long as it is not bigger than the width of your pinky finger.^{[7]XResearch source}
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3
Make sure that your other pets have no way get into the cage. Many animals including cats, dogs and snakes associate mice with being prey.^{[8]XResearch source} Make sure to put the enclosure you choose in a location that can not be reached by any of your other pets.
- If you have animals that can fit into extremely small spaces, such as snakes and ferrets, use an aquarium or terrarium with a secured top.
4
Allow your mice plenty of room to hide within the cage. In the event of an attack by another pet, your mice need to have room to escape.^{[9]XResearch source} Providing enough bedding for your mice to burrow in and giving them a structure to hide in, will keep them safely away from other animals.
- Mice are burrowers and nesters by nature and the inability to feel like it can escape, can cause your mice more stress then their little body can handle.^{[10]XResearch source}
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Choosing a Location for Your Mice

1
Keep your mice in a location where they cannot be bothered by other pets. This will be an area where your mice remain at a safe distance from your other pets at all times. If possible, the ideal location will be in a separate room that your other pets will not have access to, especially when you are not around.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Never allow your other pets to be around your mice unsupervised.
2
Choose a desk or other sturdy location to put the cage. Do not put your new pets house on the floor. Choosing a dresser, table or low shelf is your best option to keep them safe.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Be sure to keep your mice around eye level.^{[13]XResearch source} Mice are very delicate creatures and placing them too high runs the risk of them falling if they find a way to escape their enclosure.
3
Pick a place where your mice will get a lot of human contact. This is why tables and dressers make such a great location for your mice.^{[14]XResearch source} A closer proximity will allow you to ensure that your other pets are not harassing your mice.
- Mice have the ability to recognize your voice so keeping them close will help the two of you bond and help tame them.^{[15]XResearch source}
Mice need a location where there is not a drastic change in temperature, especially heat.^{[16]XResearch source} Keeping them in a location, such as a bedroom or an office, will help to regulate their temperature. This will also allow you to keep them separated from your other pets.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Familiarizing Your Other Pets with Your Pet Mice

1
Introduce your mice to your other pets. It is important to take the proper precautions when introducing your mice. Conduct a supervised meeting where the mice remain in their cage while your cat or dog is allowed to sniff the area.^{[17]XResearch source} While this will ease your pet’s curiosity, it is never a good idea to leave you mice alone with them.
- It is not recommended to introduce your snake or bird to your pet mice.
- Never leave your mice unprotected or unsupervised around other pets. Cats, dogs, and snakes can be unpredictable when their natural hunting instincts kick in.
2
Allow your pets to sniff their newest family member when it is in its cage. Allowing your cat or dog to examine your new pet will help them familiarize the scent.^{[18]XResearch source}
- While it is important to let your furry friends meet, make sure that any potentially threatening behavior by your cat or dog is not allowed. Follow any threatening behavior with a firm ‘no’ to let your pet know that is not okay.^{[19]XResearch source}
3
Avoid toys that may resemble your pet mice. Cats especially love to play with toys that are shaped like mice. Allowing your pets to play with these toys can cause them to associate this playful behavior with your newest edition.^{[20]XResearch source}
- Try replacing these toys with ones that do not resemble your mice at all. There are plenty of options including string, balls and treat filled toys that your pets will love.
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