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. Most cages marketed toward mice are too small, have bar spacing that’s too wide, or don’t provide enough depth for burrowing. I learned this the hard way and have tried several setups for my own group of four mice before settling on a 40-gallon breeder tank and an IKEA Detolf.
In this article, we’ll share the best mouse cages we’ve found in the US, UK, and Canada, including what we actually use and what to avoid.
For the full picture of mouse care beyond enclosures, see our fancy mouse care guide.
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.
Jump ahead:
Mouse Cage Quick Reference
- Minimum floor space: 614 sq in (31.5″ × 19.5″) for 2 mice
- Minimum height: 19.5 inches
- Minimum tank size: 40-gallon breeder for 2 mice
- Maximum bar gap: 6mm (small mice) / 9.5mm (large mice)
- Base depth: At least 5 inches for burrowing
- What I use: 40-gallon breeder tank and IKEA Detolf
Mouse Cage Requirements
First, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for in a good mouse cage.
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): 40 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
For a deeper dive into sizing, see our complete mouse cage size guide.
What I Use
I keep my current group of four female mice in a Detolf tank with a DIY tank topper. It provides over 1,000 square inches of floor space, plus the climbing space of the topper. However, if you’re just starting out, a 40-gallon breeder tank is the simplest, most reliable option for up to four mice. I have a 40-gallon on-hand that I use when I have a second group of mice, and during the mouse introduction/bonding process.
If you want to get creative and have the tools, the Detolf is worth considering once you’re more comfortable with mouse care.
Mouse Cage Comparison
| Enclosure | Type | Dimensions | Floor Space | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40-Gal Breeder Tank | Tank | 36″ × 18″ × 17″ | 648 sq in | See Price → |
| IKEA Detolf | DIY | 64″ × 17″ × 15″ | 1,000+ sq in | Discontinued; check your local marketplace |
| BUCATSTATE Cage 3.0 | Acrylic cage | 39.3″ × 19.7″ × 20.4″ | 774 sq in | See Price → |
| OIIBO 50-Gal Terrarium | Terrarium | 36″ × 18″ × 18″ | 648 sq in | See Price → |
| Sterilite 50-Gal Stacker | DIY bin | 34.25″ × 18″ × 17.4″ | ~617 sq in | See Price → |
| Prevue 528 | Wire cage | 32.5″ × 19″ × 17.5″ | 618 sq in | See Price → |
| Little Friends Ritz | Wire cage | 39.4″ × 21.3″ × 15.4″ | 837 sq in | See Price → |
| Savic Hamster Plaza | Wire cage | 39.4″ × 19.7″ × 19.7″ | 775 sq in | See Price → |
All enclosures listed meet or exceed the minimum 614 sq in floor space recommendation for a pair of mice. See what to avoid for enclosures that don’t.
Tanks and Terrariums
A tank or terrarium is what we recommend for most mouse owners. A tank keeps things neat, prevents escapes entirely, holds deep bedding for burrowing, and is often less expensive than a large wire cage.
The trade-off is ventilation. In a tank, ammonia accumulates at the bottom where your mice live. You’ll need to stay on top of cleaning and make sure your lid is secure mesh, not solid. Any tank deeper than a 40-gallon breeder (18 inches) may pose too much of a ventilation risk.
However, as you’ll see from the limited list of wire cages below, finding a cage with bars that’s large enough and tall enough for mice can be difficult. For most owners, a tank is the most practical option.
40-gallon breeder tank
- Dimensions: 36″L x 18″W x 17″H
- Floor space: 648 sq in
A 40-gallon breeder tank (36″ x 18″ x 17″) isn’t marketed as a mouse cage, but it’s what many experienced mouse owners use, including us. It provides 648 square inches of floor space, holds deep bedding without kickout, and there are no bars for mice to escape through.
You’ll need to buy a mesh lid separately. Reptile screen lids in the 36″ x 18″ size fit standard 40-gallon breeders. I use this mesh lid for my 40-gallon breeder.
Tip: Petco regularly runs dollar-per-gallon sales where a 40-gallon tank drops to around $40. Check their sale schedule or look for used tanks in local marketplace groups.
If you choose a standard tank enclosure, stick to 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 recommended by many sites, but this is far too small. We use a 10-gallon only as a temporary bonding enclosure during mouse introductions, never as a permanent home.
BUCATSTATE Cage 3.0 (US/UK)
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- Dimensions (smaller size): 39.3″L x 19.7″W x 20.4″H
- Floor space: 774 sq in
- Bar gap: N/A (acrylic panels)
The BUCATSTATE Cage 3.0 is a metal-framed cage with acrylic panels that’s become popular in the hamster community and also works well for mice. The acrylic sides mean there are no bars for mice to escape through, and the deep base holds up to about 8 inches of bedding for burrowing.
It also comes in a larger size (47″ x 23.6″ x 25.5″, 1,109 sq in) for around $280 if you want even more space.
The main advantages over a standard tank are the front door for easier access and the overall sturdiness of the metal frame. The trade-off is ventilation: like a tank, the enclosed sides mean ammonia can build up, so you’ll need to stay on top of cleaning. Assembly can also be frustrating, as the instructions aren’t great.
At around $190 for the smaller size, it’s more expensive than a 40-gallon tank on sale, but it’s a good ready-made option if you don’t want to deal with DIY or bar spacing concerns.
We haven’t used this cage ourselves. It’s primarily popular with hamster owners, but BUCATSTATE lists mice as a target species and the dimensions and escape-proof design make it suitable.
Mouse terrariums
A terrarium is an option that can be great for mice because many of them have the security of a tank, often with some added ventilation at the sides. Many terrarium tanks have doors that open at the front, which can make accessing and bonding with your mice easier. You can fill one side with deep bedding and have the other door free to open and close.
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:
OIIBO 70 Gallon Reptile Terrarium (US)
- Dimensions: 40″Lx20″Wx20″H
- Floor space: 800 sq in
REPTI ZOO 50 Gallon Reptile Glass Terrarium Tank (US)
- Dimensions: 36″L x 18″W x 18″H
- Floor space: 648 sq in
MECESOR 50 Gallon Glass Bearded Dragon Tank (US)
- Dimensions: 36″L x 18″W x 18″H
- Floor space: 648 sq in
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 cage
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.
- Exterior dimensions: 39.75″L x 21.5″W x 17.9″H
- Interior bottom dimensions: 34.25″L x 18″W x 17.4″H
- Floor space (interior): ~617 sq in
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 Detolf diy 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. It’s one of the most popular enclosures among experienced mouse owners, and it’s what I use for my mice alongside a 40-gallon tank.
Unfortunately, IKEA discontinued the Detolf storage shelf in 2024, but you can often find one secondhand because they were so popular. You’ll also need to make a DIY mesh topper to secure the enclosure, which adds to the cost.
The main drawback is that the Detolf is narrow (about 15 inches wide when on its side), which limits how you can arrange enrichment. It also doesn’t provide great depth for burrowing compared to a tank. Still, for the price and floor space, it’s hard to beat if you can find one. If you’re handy enough to build a mesh top, the Detolf is an excellent option.
I created a wire tank topper that sits on top of the Detolf, so that they can have most of the Detolf itself filled with bedding on one side.
Wire Cages
If you prefer a wire cage over a tank, your options are limited. Most wire cages marketed toward mice don’t meet minimum size requirements, and bar spacing is a constant concern. That said, wire cages do provide better ventilation than tanks, which helps with ammonia buildup.
Most of the best cages for mice aren’t actually marketed toward mice, so they can be hard to find. Below are the wire cages we’ve found that meet or come closest to meeting the needs of pet mice.
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!
Prevue 528 Small Animal Home (US/Canada)
- 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.
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.
Ferplast Karat 80 (UK/Europe)
- Dimensions: 78.5L x 45.5W x 52.5H cm
- Floor space: 3,571 sq cm
- 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 (UK)
- Dimensions: 100L x 50W x 50H cm
- Floor space: 5,000 sq cm
- 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 (UK)
- Dimensions: 100L x 54W x 39H cm
- Floor space: 5,400 sq cm
- Bar gap: 8 mm
The “Ritz” Rat and Hamster Cage has a great footprint at more than 5,400 square cm. 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.
What to Avoid in a Mouse Cage
Finding the right enclosure for mice is as much about knowing what to avoid as it is about knowing what to buy. Many of the cages you’ll see recommended online or sold in pet stores don’t actually meet minimum size requirements for mice, and some pose safety risks. Here are the most common ones to steer clear of.
Cages marketed as “mouse cages”
Most cages sold specifically for mice at pet stores are too small. If a cage says “mouse cage” on the box, measure the floor space yourself before buying. Anything under 450 square inches is not suitable for even a single mouse.
A few specific products to watch out for:
- Ware Chew Proof Small Animal Cage. This cage looks appealing because it’s all metal and chew-proof, and it’s frequently recommended by other sites. But the floor space is only about 217 square inches, which is a fraction of the 614 square inch minimum. It’s not appropriate for mice.
- Ferplast Favola. Another cage that shows up on recommendation lists, but at 23.6″ x 14.4″ it provides only about 340 square inches of floor space. Too small for a pair of mice.
- Omlet Qute Cage. This cage looks modern enough to blend in with your furniture, but it offers only about 190 square inches of floor space. That’s barely above the minimum for a single mouse and well below what a pair of mice needs.
CritterTrail and tube-based cages
Standard CritterTrail cages are far too small, poorly ventilated, and the tubes can trap mice. Skip them entirely.
The Kaytee CritterTrail “SUPER Habitat” technically fits the size requirements for mice, but we still don’t recommend it. The bars are more flexible than they should be, and a small mouse may be able to squeeze between them. The top door doesn’t always fit snugly into its frame, which creates additional escape opportunities. It’s also overpriced for what it provides. You can get the same or larger size and higher quality for less with any of the cages listed above.
10-gallon tanks as permanent homes
A 10-gallon tank provides only about 200 square inches of floor space, which is a fraction of what mice need. We see this recommended frequently online, and it’s not enough for even one mouse to live in comfortably. We use a 10-gallon only as a temporary bonding enclosure during mouse introductions.
Wire or mesh flooring
Any cage with wire mesh floors or shelves will damage your mice’s feet over time. This can lead to bumblefoot, a painful infection. All surfaces your mice walk on should be solid.
Wood enclosures
Mouse urine will soak into wood and create ammonia buildup, even with protective coatings. Mice can also chew through wood and escape. Prolee and similar wooden hamster cages with acrylic panels are trending on Amazon right now, but they’re not a good choice for mice specifically. Stick with glass, metal, or hard plastic.
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.
Can mice live in a 10-gallon tank?
Not as a permanent home. A 10-gallon tank only provides about 200 square inches of floor space, which is far below the recommended minimum of 614 square inches for a pair of mice. A 10-gallon can work as a temporary bonding enclosure during introductions, but not for everyday living.
Is a 20-gallon tank big enough for mice?
A 20-gallon long tank provides about 360 square inches of floor space, which is well under the recommended minimum of 614 square inches for a pair of mice. We recommend a 40-gallon breeder tank as the minimum tank size.
Do mice need a wire cage or a tank?
Either can work. Wire cages provide better ventilation, which helps with ammonia buildup from urine. Tanks hold deep bedding better and prevent escapes entirely. Many experienced mouse owners, including us, use a 40-gallon breeder tank successfully. The key with tanks is staying on top of cleaning.
How big should a mouse cage be?
At minimum, 614 square inches of unbroken floor space (about 31.5″ x 19.5″) for a pair of mice. Add at least 120 square inches for each additional mouse. A 40-gallon breeder tank meets this minimum. Bigger is always better.
Can mice escape through cage bars?
Yes. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm. If you’re using a wire cage, check the bar spacing carefully. For small or young mice, 6mm or less is safest. For larger adult mice, up to 9.5mm can work, but watch them closely when you first set up the cage.
What’s the best cage for mice on a budget?
A 40-gallon breeder tank during a Petco dollar-per-gallon sale (around $40) plus a mesh lid ($15-20) is the most affordable option that meets minimum size requirements. A DIY bin cage using a large Sterilite container is even cheaper if you have the tools to modify the lid.
Is the IKEA Detolf good for mice?
Yes, it’s one of the best enclosures for mice in terms of floor space (over 1,000 square inches) and price ($99). The trade-off is that you need to build a mesh topper, and it’s narrower and harder to clean than a tank. It’s a great option for experienced owners who are comfortable with a small DIY project.
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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