What should a cage for pet mice contain so that the little rodents can stay healthy, happy and safe?

Just as you would not be comfortable sleeping on a bare floor, but would like at least a mattress, pet mice should have soft bedding materials.

Good pet shops stock soft wood shavings that can be used as bedding. The shavings should not be scented or oil-producing (like cedar). Scented wood irritates the delicate eyes and nasal membranes of your pets, and could even poison them. Mice can also use tissue paper or clean pieces of old cloth as bedding.

Whatever material you provide, remove it every few days and put in a fresh lot, because it will quickly get soiled by waste matter and natural secretions. Dirty bedding means dirty pets, and you don’t want grubby mice!

For toys, cardboard rolls left over from toilet-paper rolls, an old tissue paper box or any other cardboard box will give your mice loads of entertainment.

Put in a chew block so your pets can keep the growth of their teeth in check. Remember that rodent teeth never stop growing, and if they aren’t worn down, your pets could suffer pain, discomfort or injury, and be unable to eat properly.

They need exercise, so include a running wheel. Look for one where the running surfaces and closed side are solid and continuous, or have only tiny openings too small to trap a rodent’s delicate toes or tail in.

Avoid wheels with spokes, because at high speed, these can literally rip off a mouse’s toes or tail. Also avoid those with poorly fitting joins or sharp, stiff parts, as these could do equally serious damage.

A 24-hour source of clean drinking water is essential.