Mice remain an underrated small pet, and they deserve the best possible care, just like any other animal. But keeping pet mice is quite different from keeping other small pets like hamsters and gerbils.
One example is that they have unique needs when it comes to the type of cage you use and the size requirements of a mouse cage. So what are the best mouse cages in 2023?
Here, we’ll be looking at the best mouse cages available, based on real mouse owner tips and our own in-depth research.
Note: This is not just a list of the top-selling mouse cages on Amazon. Instead, we’ve done thorough research on what mice really need and want and matched this with products that are available in the US, UK, and Canada.
We’ll also discuss using tanks for mice, as well as some DIY mouse cage options and what to put inside your mouse cage.
Mouse Cage Requirements
First, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for in a good mouse cage.
If you want to learn more about what mice need when it comes to their cages, visit our complete mouse cage size guide.
Here are the basic minimum requirements of a mouse cage (note that these are the UK requirements, but we recommend using them as a guide in the US and Canada, too):
- Minimum height: 19.5 inches (50 cm)
- Minimum floor space/footprint: 31.5 x 19.5 inches (80 x 50 cm); 614 square inches (4,000 cm squared) for two mice (add at least 120 square inches for each additional mouse)
- Minimum gallons (if using a tank or terrarium): 20 gallons for two mice
- Minimum base depth: 5 inches (13-14 cm)
- Maximum bar gap: 6mm for small mice; 9.5 mm for large mice
What Are the Best Mouse Cages?
Most of the best cages for mice aren’t actually marketed toward mice, so they can be quite hard to find. Below, we’ll list the best mice cages we’ve found in the US, Canada, and the UK.
Do you have a favorite mouse cage that we haven’t listed here? Please let us know using either the comments or our contact form!
Best mouse cages in the US and Canada
Unfortunately for us Americans and Canadians, there just aren’t as many appropriate cages for mice available in North America. In some cases, you can order a larger or higher-quality cage from the UK, but you’ll pay some hefty shipping fees.
Luckily, there are still a few mouse cages that you can find without leaving the US or Canada. Here are our picks.
As usual, you’ll want to do your own additional research to make sure you’re choosing the best cage for your particular mice.
Savic Hamster Metro
Dimensions: 31.5″L x 19.69″W x 19.69″H
Floor space: 620 square in.
Bar gap: 9.5 mm
The Savic Hamster Metro is a great choice for a pair of mice or even three mice, as long as they’re relatively large. The bar gap size is 9.5 mm, which is on the high end of the recommended size range. However, it has plenty of height and some accessories included.
You’ll want to make sure that the accessories are suitable for your mice before using them. The wheel is likely too small, and you’ll want to eventually provide some higher-quality hides and climbing toys. The plastic ledges are easy to clean, as opposed to wooden ledges.
Make sure that your mice are comfortable using the plastic tubes that come with this cage, or you may want to remove them and block off access to their connection points. Many mouse owners dislike this type of tube because pets can potentially get stuck in them.
Prevue 528 Small Animal Home
Dimensions: 32.5″L x 19″W x 17.5″H
Floor space: 618 square in.
Bar gap: 9.5 mm
The Prevue 528 is a favorite choice for mouse owners and hamster owners alike. It has a simple but practical design with a tubby base and wire sides and top. It doesn’t come with the unnecessary bells and whistles that many other cages come with; all it has is the cage itself and one large, plastic ledge.
Again, the bar gap size on this cage is on the larger side for mice, so if you choose this cage, you’ll need to use your best judgment to determine if it’s suitable for the size of your mice. Always keep an eye on your mice for a while when you move them to a new cage to make sure they don’t immediately try to escape.
PawHut Small Animal Cage Habitat
Dimensions: 31.5″L x 19″W x 22.75″H
Floor space: 599 square in.
Bar gap: 7.9 mm
With a small bar gap size of 7.9 mm and a great height for mice, plus an adequate footprint and two solid plastic ledges, this cage is a great choice for mice.
There’s plenty of room to attach more climbing toys and place hides and plenty of enrichments. The tubby base is 6.25 inches deep, providing lots of room for burrows.
If you want even more depth for burrowing, the added height of this cage means you can block off a few more inches at the bottom with some plexiglass.
Best mouse cages in the UK and Europe
The available mouse cages in the UK and Europe have, for a long time, been much better than those in the US and Canada.
However, many of the cages most loved by small pet owners in the UK are no longer available.
This may be due to supply chain issues or other reasons. But the fact is that many of the mouse cages you see recommended on posts older than about a year are no longer available.
Here are the best mouse cages we’ve found that are available in the UK and Europe as of 2023.
Ferplast Cage for Hamsters and Mice KARAT 80
Dimensions: 78.5L x 45.5W x 52.5H cm
Floor space: 3.6 square meters
Bar gap: 8.8 mm
This cage is similar to a tank with a tank topper, but it doesn’t have as deep of a base. Still, the base provides enough depth for burrowing and digging for two mice. It also comes in three sizes, with the size listed above being the smallest.
One note with this cage is that you’ll need to replace the wheel that it comes with, as it’s likely too small for your mice. You’ll also need to treat the wood ledges with a non-toxic finish or eventually replace them since they’re made of wood. Urine will damage them at some point, so plastic ledges might be a better choice.
Another complaint with this cage is that the access door is very small, and it can be hard to access your pets quickly.
Tip: For protecting wood safely, we recommend PlastiKote or ModPodge.
Savic Hamster Plaza Cage
Dimensions: 100L x 50W x 50H cm
Floor space: 5 square meters
Bar gap: 9.5 mm
The Savic Hamster Plaza cage provides a great footprint and plenty of height for hanging climbing toys. It also has one plastic ledge, which is easier to keep clean than a wooden ledge system.
A drawback of this cage is that the bar spacing is quite wide at 9.5 mm. This is still within the recommended spacing of 9.5 mm or less, but small mice may be able to squeeze through. If you have larger mice, this cage should suit them.
Another point to consider is that the base is deep but not very deep, which means your mice will be kicking bedding out of their cage when they burrow.
This is another cage that comes with some accessories that you may not want to use. Make sure you’re using the appropriate sized wheel for your mice. It’s unclear what size the wheel is that comes with this cage, but it may be too small.
Little Friends Ritz Rat and Hamster Cage
Dimensions: 100L x 54W x 39H cm
Floor space: 5.4 square meters
Bar gap: 8 mm
The “Ritz” Rat and Hamster Cage has a great footprint at more than 5 square meters. It also has a lower profile than the others on this list, which may be good for you if you don’t have a lot of vertical space for your cage. However, if your mice are skilled climbers, they might get more enrichment out of a taller cage.
The Ritz also has the smallest bar gap of all the cages on this list, making it great for medium mice as well as large mice. For very small mice, you’ll want to stick with a wire mesh setup or a tank, at least until they grow bigger.
Ferplast Large Plastic Cage
Dimensions: 99L x 51.5W x 36H cm
Floor space: 5.01 square meters
Bar gap: 8 mm
This cage by Ferplast is unique in that it has fully plastic sides with a wire net lid. This means that your mice can have more burrowing space, and you still have the ability to attach hanging toys from the top.
The cage also comes apart into the top and bottom tray, making it super easy to completely clean.
It’s not completely clear what the bar gap size is on this cage, but some pet owners have stated that it’s 8 mm. The gap isn’t listed by the company, and we’ve not had a chance to try out this cage ourselves and measure.
Tanks or Terrariums for Mice
Another great option you have for housing mice is a standard tank or a reptile terrarium. A tank can work well for two to four mice, but a cage with bars would be preferred if you can find one that’s the right size.
This is because, in a tank, ammonia quickly accumulates at the bottom. Ammonia doesn’t accumulate as quickly in a cage because it has better ventilation all around.
However, as you can see from the limited list of cages above, finding a cage with bars that’s large enough and tall enough for mice can be difficult.
Mouse tanks
A tank is a great option for mice because it keeps things neat and can provide plenty of space. A tank is often the same price or less expensive than a large cage, too.
If you choose a standard tank enclosure, stick a 40-gallon tank for up to four mice. Some people use a 20-gallon tank for two mice, but in our opinion, this is too small. A 10-gallon tank is also recommended by many sites, but this is too small for mice and everything that they need.
- 20-Gallon Long Tank: 30.5″L x 13.13″W x 13″H
- 40-Gallon Breeder Tank: 36.19″L x 16.94″W x 18.25″H
Any tank that’s deeper than a 40-gallon breeder tank (18 inches) may pose too much of a ventilation risk for mice. A cage allows you to provide more height without worrying about efficient ventilation.
Tip: If you buy a tank from Petco, it’s wise to wait until a sale day. Tanks often go on sale for up to half off, which can save you $60 or more! You can often find tanks for sale in local marketplace groups, as well.
Mouse terrariums
A terrarium is an option that can be great for mice because many of them have the security of a tank with some added ventilation at the sides.
These can, however, be quite expensive when purchased new, so we recommend looking for a used terrarium in your local area, first.
Here are some examples of terrariums that can work for mice:
- REPTI ZOO Large 34 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank (US)(UK)
- Exo Terra Glass Terrarium Tank – 24 x 18 x 18 Inches (US) (UK)
- OIIBO 50 Gallon Reptile Terrarium 36″ x 18″ x 18″ (US)
DIY Cages for Mice
One of the most popular methods of housing mice for experienced mouse owners is creating a DIY cage.
If you already have the necessary tools, this can be a money-saving option as well as an opportunity to create exactly what you want for your mice. Below are the most common types of DIY cages for mice.
DIY bin cages for mice
Bin cages are great for hamsters and mice, as they can be inexpensive and provide the right amount of space. The challenge can be finding a storage bin that is large enough and secure enough, as well as clear.
Here are three appropriate bins for making a DIY bin cage:
1. Sterilite 50-Gallon Stacker
2. IKEA Samla (largest size) and Lid
Once you have one of these, you’ll need to cut out the middle of the lid and fasten ¼-inch wire mesh over the opening. Drill holes around the perimeter and attach the wire mesh using zip ties.
You can also use the same method to cut out pieces of the sides and cover them with mesh for additional ventilation. This also allows you to attach more climbing toys and enrichment from the sides.
IKEA cages for mice
Many people use pieces of furniture to create mouse cages. However, a typically wooden cabinet isn’t suitable because they can’t stand up against urine. A popular choice is creating mouse cages out of IKEA furniture that lends itself to this project.
There are several pieces of IKEA furniture that you can turn into a mouse cage:
IKEA Detolf mouse cage
The Detolf is a tall glass cabinet that you turn on its side to create a long, narrow enclosure with over 1,000 square inches of floor space Some mouse-owners find this suitable, but many believe it doesn’t provide enough depth or height for their mice.
The Detolf is usually only $99, but you’ll need to create a DIY mesh topper to secure the enclosure, which adds to the cost.
IKEA Linnmon mouse cage
Creating a Linnmon mouse cage is a slightly more advanced project, and it requires more materials and tools. However, it creates a mouse cage with about 877 square inches of floor space and a good amount of height for climbing, burrowing, and enrichment.
IKEA Billy cage for mice
The Billy storage unit is another piece that’s commonly used to create small animal enclosures. It provides about 434 square inches of floor space and a good height.
You’ll need these materials to create a cage using a Billy unit:
- IKEA Billy Extension Unit
- IKEA Billy Glass
- Aquarium silicone
- Mesh
- Nails
- Wood planks or strips
You can find the instructions for building this DIY mouse cage here.
Ikea Kallax mouse cage
Finally, some small pet owners create a cage plus storage unit using the IKEA Kallax cube shelving systems. This is a more complicated design and requires some ingenuity and creativity, but many pet owners find it worth it for the customizability and storage space it can provide.
The Kallax comes in various sizes, so you can choose which one you think is right for you, your home, and your pets.
Mouse Cages FAQ
If you’re wondering about a popular cage that you don’t see listed above or still have questions about mouse cage size, your question might be answered below.
Is the Kaytee CritterTrail Super Habitat good for mice?
While the Kaytee CritterTrail “SUPER Habitat” fits the size requirements for mice, we haven’t recommended it here because of the materials it’s made out of and its build.
The bars of this cage are more flexible than they should be, and a small mouse may be able to squeeze between them.
Additionally, the top door does not always fit snuggly into its frame, which gives additional escape opportunities. Finally, the habitat is currently too high-priced for what it provides. You can get the same (or larger) size and higher quality for less.
Is the Omlet Qute Cage good for mice?
Many people want a mouse cage that can look good in a living room or family area.
After all, we want to spend time with our small pets, and we don’t want an eyesore of a cage drawing our eye at all times of the day. One answer to this problem has been the Qute Cage by Omlet.
But even though this cage looks large enough at first glance, and it’s certainly modern enough to blend in with many people’s furniture styles, it’s just not appropriate for small pets, including mice.
The Omlet Qute Cage offers only 8.6 gallons of burrowing space on the bottom, with a footprint of just 15.6 x 12.2 inches (39.5 x 31 cm). That’s a little over 190 square inches (1,228 cm squared) of floor space.
This is barely above the established minimum for one mouse of 120 inches, and below the recommended minimum for two mice of 600 inches.
Do mice need a tall cage?
Mice don’t need as tall a cage as rats or ferrets, but they do enjoy climbing. The difference is that mice also really enjoy burrowing, so it’s more important to provide a deep burrowing space than a lot of vertical height.
The minimum height for a mouse cage that we recommend is 15 inches (38 cm), but 18 inches or more is even better.
Do mice need to burrow?
Yes! Mice are naturally burrowing creatures, and it’s important to support that instinct.
Provide at least 5 inches of bedding or substrate for your mice, and ideally 6 inches or more. You’ll find that, in time, they’ll start making intricate burrows and tunnel systems in their bedding.
Mouse Care is an Evolution
If you started out your mouse-owning journey with a less-than-ideal mouse cage, you’re far from alone.
Many of the most informed and ethical mouse owners started with a mouse cage that was too small or not right for their pets. After all, large pet stores and pet blogs actively promote cages for mice and other small pets that aren’t actually suitable for those pets.
Mouse care is an ever-evolving process, and you’ll continue to improve upon the care you provide as you learn more about your pets.
Sources:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/mouse/wellbeing-and-care/pet-mice-care
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