Toys can provide mental stimulation and physical activity, and can encourage mice to exhibit natural behaviours such as foraging for food. It also prevents unwanted behavioural problems like chewing at its fur, obesity or self-mutilation.
There are many different cage designs available for mice and many include tunnels, slides or a wheel, but you can add toys like these, even if your mouse’s cage is plain.
Some great enrichment ideas for mice are:
- Tunnels – or anything they can hide in or crawl through
- A wheel – this encourages exercise and most mice find it fun
- Structures for climbing – you can purchase small ladders that are designed for bird cages
- Mouse specific toys – usually toys they can hide in or crawl through
- Rodent treats – mineral treats that you can attach to the side of the cage for your mouse to lick and chew at
- Offering different food treats – like corn on the cob, seeds, savory biscuits, peas, carrots, dried pasta etc (the treats you give will depend on your mouse’s taste)
- Food for foraging – we often make it too easy for mice, dishing them up their food in a bowl. Encourage a bit of extra activity by hiding food in other areas of the cage, like inside tunnels/toys or scattering some on the floor.
- Mouse ball – a small ball that you enclose your mouse in so that it can run/roll around on the floor
- Free run (under supervision) – only recommended if there is an area you can let your mouse wander free and sniff thing where it can’t escape into any nooks or crevices, and can’t fall off. And always keep other pets away!
- Rotate toys and fixtures – every time you clean the cage, swap toys around so that your pet has something new to climb over/under/through
- Toilet rolls - mice toys aren’t usually too expensive but if you’re on a budget, a toilet roll is a great tunnel. Your mouse may chew it up and make a mess, but what fun!
- A companion - a personal choice but a companion will provide enrichment. It is not advisable to have two males house together as they tend to fight. Females get along better. And unless you want a mouse zoo, avoid mixing males with females
Providing stimulation for your mouse is not too difficult, and the toys don’t always need to be mouse toys. Bear in mind that mice like to chew when selecting non-mouse toys. Handling your mouse or talking to it is enriching too so try to spend a bit of time everyday bonding with your tiny pet.
Like with any pet, always make sure your mouse has food and water.
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