Keeping Mice as Pets, Including Homemade Organic Mouse Food

This blog entry is meant to be helpful for people who keep mice as pets. This info is from my experience keeping mice and tips that I have found along the way. Also, I am including info on how to feed your mice an organic diet. Each mouse is different, so it is difficult to generalize, but I hope you will find something that will benefit you and your mouse/mice. If in doubt, please consult a small animal vet, as I am not an expert. Also, please note that as I am in California, the only mouse legal as a pet is the domestic house mouse, so if you live somewhere else and have other types of mice as pets, their diet and behavior may be different.

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First of all, the most common question seems to be, "How many mice should I get?" The general consensus is to get multiple (female) mice. However, I have found this to be problematic at times. Female mice can also be very territorial and possessive of their stuff. They will sometimes become bullies and also may "barber" each other; this is when a mouse removes the fur and/or whiskers from the muzzle of the other mice. This is done by the dominant mouse or mice in the group. (You'll know who the dominant mouse is, because she will be the only mouse with whiskers and fur on her muzzle.) Some people say barbering is harmless, but I disagree. I have seen this take place and the barbered mice are abused mice. Mice need their whiskers and it is uncomfortable for them having their fur removed. I in no way mean to discourage a person from getting multiple mice, but do keep an eye on your mouse group and be prepared to separate your mice if need be. I had this happen and had to set up separate cages, but the work and expense was worth it as I saw the subordinated mice recover their whiskers, fur, and confidence. And the dominant mouse seemed delighted that she had finally gotten rid of those other mice! I have successfully kept mice alone and they have been very happy (just be sure to spend time with them and give them fun things to play with and do, which is important whether they're kept alone or not). Another factor to consider is that sometimes when female mice are in heat, they will mount and try to mate with each other, which causes a lot of upset among them. They can smell each other in heat and in the absence of a male will sometimes do this. (They know something should be happening!)

​Whether you have one mouse or multiple mice, they need attention from you and you need to spend time with them and make sure they have plenty of toys and things to do, as they can get bored quickly.

Another common question is what kind of cage to get. I have tried pretty much every kind of cage over the years and every cage has its pros and cons. CritterTrail by Super Pet and Critter Universe by Ware are fun, because you can expand them and connect them, creating a huge and fun play area. BUT, it is a lot of cleaning with the tubes and accessories. Another common set-up is a 10 gallon aquarium with a high rise cage topper on top. This does create levels and also looks nice. My only problems with this set-up are: cleaning it is awkward, as the aquarium is heavier and bulky. Also, the toppers make it difficult to reach in and handle your pet. Another set up I have used is a large plastic bin. (I put the wire cage part from one of my cages inside to hang the water bottle and wheel on. I either remove the door or wire it open.) The fun thing with this is that you can get a really huge bin and have all sorts of space and play things in it. It's pretty easy to clean (I use a dog food scoop to take out the old bedding) and you can easily reach in to interact with your mice and reach everything. Also, there are various plastic base/wire bar cages to pick from. Just try to get the biggest possible habitat that you can keep up on cleaning and maintaining.

​Keep in mind that it is well worth spending $100 or so dollars on a cage up front to get a good one. I ended up spending more than that on inferior smaller cages trying to find a proper one. I've linked my favorite one below.

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Now to the question of food. I have never found any organic mouse food, so I make my own food for my mice. This does take time and effort, but I feel it is important. Genetically modified food is very common and that includes in pet food. Corn and soy are some of the most commonly genetically modified foods and they are usually the top ingredients in mouse food. Below you will find my Mouse Biscuit recipe and other foods to use to be sure your mice get all the nutrients they need. You may have to play with the Mouse Biscuit recipe, as each mouse can have different tastes.

It is important to note that the Mouse Biscuits alone aren't enough for a mouse's diet; please read all the way through on to the other foods to include along with the Mouse Biscuits.

Here is the recipe I call "Mouse Biscuits". Of course, all the ingredients are organic...you can find a lot of what you need in the bulk bins at a health food store or even at some regular markets.

• 1/4 cup flour (you can use various kinds...wheat flour, oat flour, or mix them).
• 1 tbsp. wheat germ or ground flaxseed.
• 1 tbsp. brewer's yeast or organic baby cereal
• 1 1/4 tsp. oil (any healthy oil or you can use a nut butter...there are many kinds...sunflower seed butter, almond butter, etc.)
• 2 tbsp. liquid of your choice (you can get creative here...I usually use Rice Dream Original Rice beverage (NOT the one that says "unsweetened, because it has xanthan gum), but you can also use another non-dairy milk or I've even used pureed pumpkin or sweet potato. You can also add some molasses or other sweetener to rotate the flavor.)
• pinch of sea salt (optional)

-Mix the dry ingredients together and then add the wet ingredients. Mix and knead.

-Then make the dough into small balls and flatten them with your hands. Place them in a lightly oiled baking dish.

-Bake at 400 degrees for 10 mins. Then turn off the oven, but leave the biscuits inside with the door closed for 1 1/2 hours.

​-Then take them out and let them cool. Store in the fridge. When serving them, I break the biscuits up in small pieces to put in their food bowl.

You can double the recipe if you want. I make this size, because my mice like variety, so I rotate the flavor each time. Feel free to play with the ingredients, just using the amounts as a base to build on.

I sometimes take a break from making the mouse biscuits and just sprinkle the wheat germ or flax powder in with their food; they eat it and it works out well.

Also, I sometimes mix a non-dairy, gum-free milk with baby cereal. The mice will even lick it from my fingers; they like it so much.

Other ideas to supplement with the Mouse Biscuits, as they alone aren't not enough for a mouse's diet:

Again in the bulk bins, you can buy small amounts of organic rolled oats, barley, wheat flakes, rye flakes, etc. You can mix these together raw for them to eat. Also, you can get small amounts of organic nuts and seeds to add in small amounts to the mix. (I break the nuts up to use for treats.)

Also, organic freeze dried fruits and veggies. My mice love these, as they are crisp and crunchy. I add these to their bowl in small amounts (too much fruit and veggies will upset their tummy balance).

I also cook up brown rice, quinoa, green lentils, bulgur wheat, black eyed peas, and millet that I keep in the freezer. I then take out a little (and let it thaw) and put it in a separate bowl for them to eat. They go wild over the green lentils and quinoa and those are full of protein and vitamins.
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I also buy organic baby crackers or biscuits here and there...I keep them in the freezer and break up pieces for them.

My mice love organic brown rice crisps. I eat those, too, which is good, because it would take them forever to go through a whole box. I also give them organic hay (Oxbow sells organic meadow hay).

I don't eat meat, but I occasionally give my mice little pieces of cheese whenever I have cheese. Some of them like it and some don’t. House mice, like humans, can live well without meat. Many of my mice have turned down meat when it was offered to them. They have all lived long and healthy mouse lives on this diet.

Organic salad greens (spring mix, spinach, kale) in small amounts about 3 times a week are great and zucchini squash as well. (Rinse all fresh veggies and pat dry). Also, small amounts of cooked, unflavored broccoli or cauliflower are other ideas. Small amounts of fresh fruits (rinsed and pat dry) about once week are also good. My mice like fresh mango and papaya especially. Be sure to only give very, very small amounts (even if they beg for more) of fresh fruits and veggies so that your mice won't have their stomach balance upset.

Also, the Wet Noses organic dog biscuits can make a nice treat for mice.

You can find organic bulk herbs at most natural foods stores. I mix red clover tops, dandelion leaf, chamomile flowers, and hibiscus flowers in a bowl for an herb forage bowl for them. However, I don't do this all the time, as herbs can be potent. I just rotate them in now and then.

I started buying Oxbow’s non-GMO mouse food to supplement their diet. They don’t eat a lot of it, but enough to help fill in their nutritional needs.

And, Oxbow also makes organic barley biscuits. My mice will nibble on them occasionally. Again, it provides extra nutrition and variety.​

​I hope these tips help you to keep happy and healthy mice!

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