The Best Mice Cages for an Ethical Living Environment

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 out 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.

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

Cages Only Available in 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.

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

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!