Mice can be very cute and lovely as pets. They’re extremely sociable creatures that tend to bond closely with their owners. Having a pet mouse is also entertaining and doesn’t demand time-consuming care. 

However, a lot of people don’t know the expected lifespan of these little pets. So, we’re here to tell you how long pet mice live and what you can do to make them live longer and happier. 

Short Answer

Mice typically live 2-3 years. However, you can keep them around for longer by providing proper healthcare, companionship, a good environment, a healthy diet, adequate exercise, and eliminating stressful conditions. 

What Affects the Lifespan of Pet Mice

Pet mice are more likely to survive longer than wild mice, thanks to the abundance of food and security and the absence of predators. However, as with any other pet, the lifestyle you create for them determines how long they live. 

Environment

When you give your pet a clean environment, you’ll protect it from illnesses, such as respiratory and skin infections. The good news is mice are self-cleaning pets, just like cats. But your mouse might end up getting too dirty, so it won’t hurt to give it a little bath every now and then. However, avoid using water excessively as this may scare your pet.

You also need to make sure you’re offering your mouse proper housing. For example, its bed should be made of safe materials, such as corn cob, shredded paper, or newspapers. And remember to change the bedding often to keep the cage fresh and clean.

Companionship

As we mentioned above, mice are extremely sociable creatures. They value companionship, pretty much like us. The company of another mouse will definitely make your pet happier. So, if you’re thinking of owning a pet mouse, try making it two. 

Diet 

What you choose to feed your pet will affect its health and, eventually, its lifespan. A healthy diet will obviously give your pet mouse a better life.

For an ideal diet plan, try feeding your mouse high-quality pellets. You can also feed it boiled or scrambled eggs and small amounts of vegetables and fruits, such as broccoli, bananas, blueberries, and peas. Avoid fat-rich diets since you don’t want to have an obese pet.

Health Conditions

There are a few health conditions that affect the lifespan of mice. However, if you keep an eye on those conditions and provide proper healthcare, you can lengthen the life of your beloved pet.

Mites and Ticks

Mites, ticks, and fleas are common in mice. They lead to balding and cause great irritation and discomfort. To detect them, inspect your pet’s fur. If you find bald spots, scaly skin, or black spots, you need to visit your vet. But don’t worry; once noticed, they can easily be treated.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory illnesses are often caused by bacterial and viral infections. So, if you notice your mouse is sneezing, has nasal discharge, rattling while breathing, or wheezing, take it to the vet as soon as possible. 

Cancer 

Sadly, cancer in mice is fairly common. Although not every lump is cancerous, you should still take your mouse to the vet whenever you feel a lump on it. 

Exercise

To help maintain a healthy lifestyle for your pet, add an exercise wheel to its cage. Mice need regular activity to prevent them from getting overweight. You can also let your pet out of the cage for a few fun activities, such as playing in a kiddie pool. But remember to only let your mouse out of the cage in secure areas where they won’t run away or get lost. 

Stress

Avoiding stressful conditions plays a huge role in maintaining your pet’s happiness. Inadequate food, unclean environments, unhealthy diet, and poor healthcare can lead to enormous amounts of stress in mice. So, if your pet is raised in a non-stressful house, it’s much more likely to be around for a long time. 

Final Words 

All in all, a mouse’s lifespan is 2-3 years. However, many factors can affect it, such as environment, healthcare, companionship, diet, exercise, and stress.

So make sure to eliminate stress, provide a high-quality diet, integrate an exercise routine, keep a clean environment, and do regular checkups to monitor the health status of your pet. This way, you’ll raise a healthy mouse that’d probably live a long, happy life.