Fancy mice make ideal pets for young and old alike although young children will require supervision and help in caring for a pet mouse. Mice are ideal for those at work or school during the day as they are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and waking in the evening.

Their intelligence and tameness, their ease of care and the wide range of coat types, colours and varieties make them a popular pet in many countries today.

Apart from the initial expense of the cage and equipment mice are cheap to keep and require relatively little care. However, as with any pet, keeping a mouse requires commitment to caring for it whilst it is with you, including veterinary treatment if it becomes ill.

Mice take up little room only requiring a cage in which to be kept and so are ideal for those living in apartments for small houses

Mice are sociable and so will prefer the company of another, rather than to be kept on their own. Male mice tend to have a musky smell, so unless there is a specific reason for wanting a male mouse (ie for breeding) most people prefer to keep female mice.