Mice are fairly independent and can entertain themselves for extended periods of time, but a happy, well-adjusted mouse is one who receives daily handling and interaction.

A mouse’s aquarium or cage needs to be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week. Housing for male mice is likely to require more frequent cleaning because of their strong scent.

Mice are small, nimble and fast-moving. It can be very frustrating for children to handle them because mice are often more interested in exploring their surroundings than sitting in a hand or a lap. Young children lack fine motor control and may inadvertently drop a mouse, squeeze him, or scare him into biting. A mouse can also suffer serious injury if he is dropped or picked up by the tail incorrectly.