In this post, we’ll look at some of the best mice cages that prioritize space and well-being of its tenants. The most important aspects I considered when making this list are suitable cage size, small bar spacing to prevent escapes, deep base for burrowing and overall build and satisfaction from mice owners.

While there are many mice cages on the market, when we cross over all the unsuitable ones, we’re left with a not-so-wide array of cages – especially in the US. As you’ll see, Europe has a much better selection of cages. Hopefully, this list will help you narrow down suitable options and find something nice and cozy for your mice!

Cage Requirements

Let’s quickly go over the requirements so you know what to look for when buying a cage for your mice.

  • Size matters: A cage with a footprint of at least 80 x 50 cm (31.5 x 19.5 inches) and a minimum height of 40 cm (16 inches) allows mice to express their natural behaviors like burrowing, foraging, and climbing.
  • Bar spacing considerations:
    • Bar spacing of 6-7 mm (1/4 in): Suitable for small and young mice over 15g.
    • Bar spacing of 9-9.5 mm (3/8 inches): Suitable for average adult mice.
    • Bar spacing of 10-12 mm (1/2 inches): Might be suitable for large mice but best avoided.
  • Deep base for digging: Mice love to burrow, so the cage should have a base deep enough for substrate digging and tunneling. A base of at least 15 cm (6 inches) is ideal, though 13–14 cm (5–5.5 inches) is acceptable. Cages with bases of 8–12 cm (3–4.5 inches) are less suitable, as they limit digging and increase mess. A deep base not only satisfies your mice’s natural instincts but also helps contain the substrate, preventing it from being scattered around.
  • Wire cages beat aquariums: As enthusiastically peeing animals, mice need lots of ventilation to prevent ammonia buildup in their cage. This is why wired cages are healthier than glass enclosures that don’t always provide enough airflow.
See also  Tori Spelling Heads Back to Work For Mystery Project As Actress Continues Living in RV Camp With Five Kids
Mice Cage Size Requirements

Best Mice Cages

Here are some of the best available cages for pet mice. The first list contains cages that can be found in both the US and Europe, and the second one lists cages only available in Europe. Unfortunately, the US has a much smaller selection of suitable mice cages compared to Europe.

Note: some of these cages come equipped with a wheel that might be too small for your mice so you’ll have to remove it or switch it for a larger one. The recommended wheel size for mice is 8 inches although this also depends on how big or small your mice are. The wheel should be big enough for them to run without arching their backs which can cause health issues long term.

Cages Available in the US & Europe

Prevue Pet Products 528

Prevue mice cage
  • Dimensions (inches): 32.5 x 19 x 17.5 in
  • Dimensions (cm): 83 x 48 x 44 cm
  • Bar spacing: 3/8 inches / 9.5 mm
  • Base depth: 6.25 inches / 16 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.com (US), Chewy.com (US) and Amazon.co.uk (UK)

Savic Hamster Plaza

Savic Hamster Plaza
  • Dimensions (inches): 39.37 x 19.69 x 19.69 in
  • Dimensions (cm): 100 x 50 x 50 cm
  • Bar spacing: 3/8 inches / 9.5 mm
  • Base depth: 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.com (US), Amazon.co.uk (UK) and Zooplus.com (Europe)

Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage

Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
  • Dimensions (inches): 31.5 x 19.69 x 19.69 in
  • Dimensions (cm): 80 x 50 x 50 cm
  • Bar spacing: 3/8 inches / 9.5 mm
  • Base depth: 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.com (US), Amazon.co.uk (UK) and Zooplus.com (Europe)

PawHut Hamster Cage

PawHut Hamster Cage
  • Dimensions (inches): 31.5 x 19 x 22.75 in
  • Dimensions (cm): 80 x 48 x 58 cm
  • Bar spacing: 0.31 inches / 7.8 mm
  • Base depth: 6.25 inches / 16 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.com, Homedepot.com, and Aosom.com
See also  How Many Types of Labradors Are There? Really Only One, But Here's Why They May Look Different

Cages Only Available in Europe

Savic Zeno 3 Empire

Savic Zeno 3 Empire
  • Dimensions: 100 x 50 x 116 cm
  • Bar spacing: 9.5 mm
  • Base depth: 16 cm
  • Sold on: Zooplus.co.uk (UK) and Zooplus.com (Europe)

Savic Zeno 2 Knock Down Animal Cage

Savic Zeno 2 Knock Down

Savic Freddy 2 Max Rat/Ferret Cage

Savic Freddy 2 Max
  • Dimensions: 80 x 80 x 50 cm
  • Bar spacing: 9.5 mm
  • Base depth: 16 cm
  • Sold on: Petsathome.com (UK)

Little Friends Ritz Cage

Little Friends Ritz cage
  • Dimensions: 100 x 54 x 39 cm
  • Bar spacing: 8 mm
  • Base depth: 15 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.co.uk (UK)

Petgard Carlos Sky Cage 2 Levels

PETGARD Carlos Mouse and Hamster Cage 2-story
  • Dimensions: 98 x 52 x 89 cm
  • Bar spacing: 7 mm
  • Base depth: 16 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.de (DE)

Petgard Carlos Sky Cage 3 Levels

Petgard Carlos Sky Mouse cage 3-story
  • Dimensions: 98 x 52 x 129 cm
  • Bar spacing: 7 mm
  • Base depth: 16 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.de (DE)

Borneo XL Mouse and Hamster Cage

Borneo XL Mouse and Hamster Cage
  • Dimensions: 119 x 59 x 57 cm
  • Bar spacing: 8 mm
  • Base depth: 18 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.de (DE)

Borneo L Mice and Hamster House

PETGARD Borneo L cage
  • Dimensions: 99 x 54 x 56 cm
  • Bar spacing: 8 mm
  • Base depth: 18 cm
  • Sold on: Amazon.de (DE) and Amazon.co.uk (UK)

Skyline Rodent Cage Barney

Skyline rodent cage Barney
  • Dimensions: 100 x 56 x 46 cm
  • Bar spacing: 7 mm
  • Base depth: 17 cm
  • Sold on: Zooplus.com (Europe)

Wire Cages vs Tanks

As you can see, I mostly listed wired cages. This is because a wired cage is a healthier option considering it has all four sides open to allow air to flow. Mice have very sensitive respiratory systems, so it’s better for them to live in a well-ventilated area. Here are some of the main pros and cons of wired cages vs tanks to consider.

Wired Cages

Pros:

  • Provide better air flow as all four sides are open
  • Easier to attach accessories to the cage
  • You can reach your pets from the side which is less stressful for them
  • Good for climbing

Cons:

  • Can be hard to find in a suitable size
  • Need to be taken apart for deep cleaning
See also  Nicolas Cage's Son Wants The Mother of His Two Daughters to Pay Legal Fees

Tanks

Pros:

Cons:

  • More ammonia buildup as there’s less opportunity for air flow with only the top allowing air in
  • Can’t attach accessories to the sides, only the top
  • You need to reach for your pets from above which can seem predatory to them
  • Needs DIY-ing to create a mesh lid for ventilation

The fact is that wired cages can be hard to come by in suitable sizes, so a tank might be your only option. Here are some alternative options.

Alternative Solutions

If no suitable cages are available in your location, instead of compromising with a smaller cage, consider these alternative options. While tanks and aquariums are not as good of an option as wired cages due to limited air flow, there are some options that can work well.

IKEA Detolf

IKEA Detolf is a glass cabinet that many people use as a home for their mice. Since it’s 64 inches long, it can provide more air flow than an average tank. This will require some DIY as you’ll need to make a mesh lid for the cabinet.

Bin Cage

bin cage for mice

A bin cage is another option that might work – if you can find a big enough storage bin (which can be quite a task). You want a bin that has a floor space of at least 615 square inches (4000 sq. cm).

This option will require a use of tools and invested time as you’ll have to mesh all sides and a lid to ensure proper air flow. I personally don’t like the look of bin cages so avoid them but they are a suitable option if nothing else works.

I hope this list helped you in the search of a suitable home base for your pet mice. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

Source link