How to handle your mice

Mice are the acrobats of the mammal world, full of energy and eager to learn and investigate. If you follow our advice, your mice will become very friendly and easy to handle. They’ll even enjoy coming out of their cage for an hour or more each day!

 

Be patient with your mice

As much as you’ll want to get to know your new mice straight away, avoid handling them for a day or two to allow them to settle in.

Mice can feel very threatened at the sight of a hand suddenly hovering above them while they’re resting. Ideally, handle them during their active periods. This will reduce the stress of waking them up, as they can have sporadic sleep patterns.

 

How to pick your mice up

When you’re ready to pick your mice up:

• Ensure they’re alert and aware of your movements. Quietly talking to them can make them aware that you’re there.
• Cup your hands under them and gently lift them towards your body, letting them sit on your hands.
• Alternatively, place a tube or tunnel in front of them for them to walk into, lift it carefully out, and let them walk out onto your hand in their own time.

Never try to pick mice up by their tail. This is very painful and can result in damage to, or even loss of, the tail.

Mice can make sudden movements, which could lead to injuries if they fall while you’re standing up. For the first few weeks, sit on the floor and allow your mice to walk over each hand or sit in your lap.

 

Free-roam time

With the right things in place, your mice will love their cage environment. But they’ll also enjoy having extra space to run around and explore each day.

To do this safely, either:

• Place them in a dry, empty bath (with the plug in) and lay some towels across the bottom.
• Or, use a pop-up fabric or Correx play pen.

Place lots of toys and hiding spaces in the chosen space for them to explore. You could also sit in there (carefully!) with them. This is a great way for them to get used to you, and it also provides a safe place for handling.

Never allow predators in the room while your mice are having free-roam time, and always supervise young children with them.

 

How to transport your mice

Always have a suitable pet carrier available in case you need to rush your mice to the vet – or to use while you clean out the cage. To keep your mice relaxed and happy, place some of the bedding in the base of the carrier along with a little house or tunnel. Lastly, scatter a small amount of food inside the carrier for your mice to enjoy.