Mouse Accommodation

Mouse accommodation can take several forms - from aquariums, through plastic containers, to various types of cages. Each of these items has its pros and cons, which I will discuss below. Mice will adapt to all these types of accommodation, but the most important thing is to furnish it properly. A large amount of bedding and plenty of "goodies" to fill the space will be the key to making our pet feel safe and comfortable. The more various hammocks, roots, hiding places, houses, and tunnels, the better. Hammocks and cocoons will also provide the mouse with a safe landing and cover the "ceiling," making the mice move more confidently around their home. It should be placed far from the window and not exposed to drafts - mice easily catch colds, and in summer, direct sunlight can lead to heatstroke.

AQUARIUMS:

+ Easy to disinfect and clean;
+ Plenty of bedding can be added without problems;
+ Possibility to observe mice wandering in buried hideouts;
+ Cost - leaky or used aquariums can be purchased very cheaply on olx;
- A cover must be made or ordered separately;
- Some decorative elements are difficult to hang;
- Heavy and not easy to move;

PLASTIC CONTAINERS:

+ Easy to disinfect and clean;
+ Plenty of bedding can be added without problems;
+ They are quite cheap;
+ Lightweight and easy to carry;
- Ventilation needs to be done yourself - cutting holes in boxes can be frustrating;
- Not aesthetically pleasing;
- Mounting a suitable water dispenser can be difficult;

CAGES:

+ Lightweight and easy to carry;
+ Easy to install hammocks and equipment;
+ Good ventilation;
+ Aesthetic and a wide selection on the market;
- Cages available on the market are usually expensive;
- Limited bedding, which mice dig out of the cage;
- Difficulty in cleaning and disinfecting grids;

GLASS CAGES (TERRARIUMS):

+ Lightweight and easy to carry;
+ Easy to disinfect and clean;
+ Plenty of bedding can be added without problems;
- Prone to cracking and scratching;
- Terrariums available on the market are usually expensive;

AVAILABLE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION ON THE MARKET:

- AQUARIUMS -

It's best to search olx for leaky, used aquariums - from time to time, you can find real gems.

- PLASTIC CONTAINERS -

Samla 130L. Dimensions from IKEA 79x57x43cm. From Castorama 78.7x58.6x43.8cm. You need to cut out ventilation at the top and mesh it with welded breeding mesh - preferably from the inside, first properly securing the sharp spikes.

Ikea samla 130L
Castorama Kaze XXXL

- CAGES -

Remember that the gap between the bars should not be larger than 0.7cm. We recommend a maximum of 0.5cm gaps for the safety of smaller and younger mice.

60x40
Klatka pixi
Inter zoo Pixie
Inter zoo olaf 2
78x44
Klatka tommy
Allezoo
100x50
Klatka 100cm

- DUNA -

55x40
Ferplast Mini Duna
71x46
Ferplast Duna Multy
99x37
Ferplast Maxi Duna

SETTING UP THE ACCOMMODATION

- BEDDING -

It's a good idea to freeze any bedding for 48 hours before use to minimize the risk of transferring any parasites from the bedding to the mice.
There are many types of bedding available for rodents on the market, including:

Sawdust - popular, standard bedding. Poorly absorbs mouse odors, so it's not the best choice. It quickly starts to smell. Choose sawdust with large pieces, loosely packed in the package, and non-dusty.
Granulated Sawdust [e.g., Allspan] - Absorbs odors and urine very well, doesn't produce dust. It is available in large packages (24kg) and works excellently with a large number of mice. The downside is that it's heavy, and mice can't dig extensive tunnels in it.
Flax Bedding - Moderately absorbs odors, lightweight, fluffy. Mice enjoy digging in it. Requires frequent changing of dirty areas. There is a higher risk of bringing in parasites.
Hemp Bedding - Harder and thicker than flax. Absorbs odors well. Also works well in blends with other bedding (e.g., flax).

Wood pellets, gravel, large chips, dusty sawdust are not recommended for mice.

- EXERCISE WHEEL -

Recommended diameter - minimum 20 cm. For large, purebred individuals - more than 20 cm (e.g., 23, 28 cm). Plastic exercise wheels work best. They are easy to clean, although they can be noisy. Wooden exercise wheels will quickly become soiled by mice, so it's recommended to coat them with child-safe clear varnish. Exercise wheels with rungs, metal ones, or those with scissor effects (which can lead to crushing rodents) are not allowed.

- ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS IN THE ACCOMMODATION -

Mice love to climb. Any hideouts, tunnels, thick ropes, hammocks, shelves, bridges, toilet paper rolls without prints, PVC pipes, cardboard... Only your creativity limits you. It's best to varnish wooden elements. I highly recommend cocoons and bridges from the "Gryzonie w Kokonie" brand. They are inexpensive, and thanks to their breathable structure, urine doesn't cause a strong odor. Mice love climbing on them and sleeping together. Prohibited products: Exercise balls (unless converted into a cage hideout), leashes, cotton, "blankets," exercise wheels with a too small diameter.

Article written by Karolina Patalan and Kalina Koriat.