When looking into getting multiple mice, one of the questions you might be concerned with is how many babies mice can have in a litter. Knowing the answer might scare you, especially if you are unsure what mouse gender you get, as some stores can be wrong.

Female mice can have as many as six pups every three weeks. This means that once they have given birth, they can have a second litter as early as 25 days.

Even though mice do not live as long as other rodents, it is still important to note that they can easily become a problem if not taken care of. It is even worse when your home has a pest problem, and you need to eliminate them from your home ASAP!

Hopefully, this will not happen to you, but if you want to own mice, watching them and understanding the difference between a male and a female is essential. In this article, we will discuss whether you can fix a mouse and what to do if your pet mouse has babies, among other things. We highly encourage you to continue reading for more information.

How Many Babies Do Mice Have at a Time?

 

Mice can have up to 6 pups (or babies) at a time. Mice become sexually mature at 6 to 8 weeks, meaning they can reproduce fairly quickly after birth. Because of this, the timeline for when your female mouse has pups and when you can get rid of them is minimal, especially if you do not intend to keep them for breeding purposes.

However, some people might breed their mice for numerous reasons, including but not limited to creating feeders for other animals (like pet snakes), breeding for a hobby, creating companions for other mice, or even scientific research. In this case, this might be a good thing, depending on your situation.

 

How Many Babies Can Mice Produce in a Year?

 

On average, mice can produce between 32 and 56 pups per year. Female mice can also become pregnant as soon as they give birth, making it extremely difficult to control the population if the problem is not immediately solved.

Because of this, it is imperative to separate males and females, especially if they cannot become fixed, which we will get to momentarily. Lastly, it is essential to note that if a mouse lives indoors, it can produce all year long, while wild mice produce mainly during the spring, summer, and fall. This is due to the lack of food that a field mouse can find outdoors.

 

Can You Fix a Pet Mouse?

 

Technically speaking, yes, you can fix a pet mouse. However, you must go to a veterinary care specializing in small rodents, especially since pet mice are tiny. Fixing your fancy mouse also comes with risks. For example, anesthesia can potentially cause an infection. Neutering is much riskier in smaller animals than older ones because they are more delicate.

It is important to note that a veterinarian specializes in neutering small animals because the process is more complicated. Mice would need to inhale the anesthesia instead of being injected because it is considered safer.

If you decide to get them fixed, it is imperative to ensure they receive pain medication (if they prescribe it) and monitor for any complications, such as bleeding. Also, ensure your pet mouse has a quiet and warm environment during its recovery phase.

 

What Should You Do if Your Pet Mouse Has Babies?

 

Suppose you just bought a pet mouse at the store, and within a few weeks or maybe even a few days, they have a litter of pups! You might be surprised that they were unknowingly bred at the store. Alternatively, if you have a male and female mouse and do not realize they bred together, then within a month or so, you might be looking at having multiple babies around the cage.

Whatever the case is for you, it is imperative to remember what to do if your pet mice has babies. First, if you have two mice, the other mouse is a male and should immediately be separated from the female as you do not want to gain more baby mice. It is imperative to keep them separated forever unless you want to go down the route of fixing them instead.

Next, it is essential to leave the mother and her pups alone. Besides providing the mother with food and water, she could abandon and neglect her pups if you mess with them.

However, if you realize she is pregnant early enough, you can place soft, non-scented tissues and toilet paper in the cage. This will help her create a nest for her pups to remain safe and warm.

Also, avoid watching her for long periods. This will cause your female mouse to become uncomfortable, as she will be more aggressive than usual during this time. Knowing that this behavior is normal and you should not be concerned with it is essential.

Lastly, do not clean her cage for at least the first 10 to 14 days. We recommend only spot-cleaning the area if you notice any soiled spots; otherwise, leave it alone until then. Make sure to avoid cleaning the nest as well.

 

How Can You Tell if Your Pet Mouse Is Pregnant?

 

If you are unsure if your mouse is pregnant, there are six vet-approved signs. Let us dive a little deeper into them down below:

 

1. Swollen Belly (or Abdomen)

 

As with any animal or person who becomes pregnant, your female mouse’s belly will become noticeably more swollen. It will occur about 10 days after mating and becomes very obvious. However, this might sometimes be less noticeable than you think, especially if your mouse is not carrying a large litter.  

 

2. Building a Nest

 

Another tell-tale sign that your mouse is pregnant is when she begins to create or build a nest for herself and her young. If you notice this, we recommend providing her with extra toilet paper or small pieces of tissue (unscented) to ensure she has everything she needs. Even if she is not pregnant, it might be a good idea to provide these things inside the cage anyway for whatever needs they are wanting to do.

 

3. Increased Appetite

 

Suppose you give your mouse a regularly balanced diet of 3 to 5 grams daily. However, if you notice that you are filling up their bowl more often than you usually do or should, it might indicate that they are pregnant.

If you provide your pet mouse with food bowls and do not place their food in different spots of their cage, they will also frequently visit the bowl to help create a natural foraging experience.

 

4. Behavioral Changes

 

Mice are innately very social creatures who love to play, dig, seek food, and more. However, a pregnant mouse will behave differently than if she were not pregnant.

These behaviors might include abnormal aggression, especially towards other mice. They will also eat more and become less physical, and their more active activity will be delayed once the lights are off, meaning their circadian rhythms are altered.

Once given birth, your newly found mother mouse will groom, nurse, and continue to nest build, which is essential for their baby’s survival.

 

5. Nipples Become More Projecting

 

You may notice your pregnant mouse’s nipples become more noticeable. This indicates that they will give birth within a few days.

 

6. Semen Plug

 

When a male and female mouse mates, a male mouse leaves behind excess semen. The semen will come together at the end of a female’s vagina and cervix area, helping prevent further mating from happening. This typically lasts anywhere between 24 to 48 hours.

 

Although it does not necessarily mean your female mouse is pregnant, it means mating has occurred. If that is the case and you do not want it to happen any further, we recommend separating the male and female. Of course, this means babies may or may not be near your home within three and a half weeks.

 

What to Do With a Pregnant Mouse?

 

If you know your mouse is pregnant, you do not have to do too much, but knowing a few things beforehand is essential.

 

• Make sure you clean their cage before giving babies, as we do not recommend cleaning it until 10 to 14 days after they have given birth.

 

• Feed them normally, but add extra protein, such as cooked scrambled eggs, tuna, chicken, or soaked bread.

 

• Offer treats like baby food, kitten or puppy kibble, or porridge.

 

• Avoid providing your mouse with foods high in sugars, fats, or a large amount of water content (like cucumbers or melons).

 

Should You Separate a Pregnant Mouse From Other Mice?

 

Whether your pregnant mouse gets along with other mice is a huge determining factor in whether you should separate it from them. The only time your separation should occur is when they are being harassed or bullied by other mice if you have larger groups, as unpredicted behavior can occur or even due to any stressful situations. Ensuring your pregnant mouse feels safe and secure wherever she goes is crucial.

 

Ways to Keep Your Pet Mouse From Getting Pregnant

 

There are two major ways to prevent your pet mouse from getting pregnant:

The first way is to separate the sexes. This can easily be done by checking their genital areas. Males have a longer distance between the anus and genital areas, while females have a shorter distance between the two. Also, females have nipples, which can be visible once they reach two weeks of age.

As mentioned previously, the second way to prevent female mice from having babies is by neutering male mice. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian about the best time to do so. It is also vital to use a specialized vet, as some might not be equipped to care for such delicate creatures.

Final Thoughts

 

To summarize everything, female mice can have up to six pups per litter and give birth multiple times a year, creating an army of mice that you may or may not want! It is important to ensure your pregnant mouse remains in a safe and calm environment.

Overall, we hope this article was helpful for you. If you have any more questions, we encourage you to continue reading more about pet mice on our mice page. If you also know someone who needs help with their mouse endeavors, please share so more people can be the best little pet owners!