Do Pet Mice Need a Running Wheel?

Pet mice need to be able to perform some kind of exercise in their cage. After all, they have nowhere to go and there is not much space for running in a mouse cage. Daily exercise is just as healthy for mice as it is for us. If there is nothing to do in the cage, they are going to become restless and stressed.

Considering that mice can run up to 6 miles (10 kilometers) per day, it is no wonder that they need something for exercise. This, of course, depends on the mouse type, age and sex. With a running wheel, they can run as much as they want to, without having to get out of the cage.

It is a great solution for you and for your mouse as well, as he doesn’t need to run around in the house.

Best Exercise Wheel for Pet Mice

The list of running wheels goes on and on with different brands offering a wide range of models. But which one to choose from this abundance of cool toys? Before you get overwhelmed by what the market has to offer, we are here to help.

Below, you can find the absolute best running wheels that you should buy in our opinion. They are all made of top-quality materials and are silent as well.

– Niteangel Super-Silent Exercise Wheel

This running wheel by Niteangel is one of the simplest-looking and quietest models you can get.

Its running drum provides plenty of space while they have positioned it low enough so that your mouse can easily get in. It can be adjusted at any time in order to achieve the appropriate height.

Although mice tend to chew on running wheels, this one is made of acrylic, which ensures protection against it. It is available in various colors so that you can choose depending on the overall aesthetics of your cage.

– Zacro Silent Exercise Wheel

The design of this running wheel is so minimalistic that they have basically eliminated the chance of your mouse’s tail or fur to get stuck.

Your fancy mouse can run freely without any risk of hurting himself. On top of that, it looks clean and fits well into every possible cage setup.

Its transparency and the fact that its structure is open allows for easy cleaning. It will take a couple of minutes to rinse and wipe this beauty.

The stainless-steel ball bearings guarantee that you are not going to hear a sound while your mouse runs in it all night long.

– Flying Saucer Exercise Wheel by Ware Manufacturing

An exercise wheel does not necessarily need to be vertical. Ware Manufacturing has created an outstanding tilted wheel that your fancy mouse is going to enjoy.

It not only looks awesome but is also quiet so you are not even going to hear any noise while your pet runs on it.

It is available in different colors so that you can choose the one that looks best in the cage. As its name says, it is shaped like a flying saucer.

This way, they have also managed to give a modern appearance to the everyday running wheel.

This design also allows you to see your mouse running without having to lean towards the cage.

Moreover, it is so simple that there is no gap where the tail of your pet can get stuck.

– Can You Put a Mouse in an Exercise Ball?

When looking for an exercise ball for your fancy mouse, space is very important. Your pet has to be able to move around quite a bit while he is busy exercising in the ball.

A good exercise ball starts somewhere at 7 inches in diameter. Before you start looking, we are here to introduce you to the best exercise ball we have found so far.

Just take a look at this Run-About exercise ball made by Kaytee. The whole functionality of this toy relies in its simplicity.

It is easy to open and allows your mouse to conveniently enter and start rolling. Your pet will be able to effortlessly maneuver in it while having a lot of fun.

The best thing about this ball is that you can let your mouse run in it while you are busy cleaning the whole cage. A win-win situation for both of you.

Can Two Mice Run in Same Wheel?

It only depends on the size of the wheel whether two mice can run together or not. Of course, there are plenty of larger wheels to choose from as well. However, the best idea is still to buy another running wheel and place it somewhere near the other one.

This way, both of your mice can enjoy running without disturbing each other in the process. An even better idea is to buy a running wheel and a flying saucer as well so that your mice can have a choice when it comes to running. After all, running in a saucer is a bit different than running in a wheel.

Pet mice always appreciate it when you spice things up. They are excited about every new thing they can interact with within their cage.

Why do Mice Run Mostly at Night?

Mice are nocturnal rodents who sleep during the day and perform all their activities at night. They sleep approximately 14 hours per day. Although you can train them to turn around their sleeping schedule, it is not going to be easy if you decide so.

It requires consistent effort and a lot of time, as you need to reward your pet every time it is awake during the day. Naturally, they are going to use the exercise wheel at night as well. If the mouse is in your room and you don’t want it to be too noisy, you can buy one of the silent exercise wheels.

Each of the wheels that we talked about above are silent, allowing you to sleep well even if the cage is near you. Nighttime is basically when it is playtime for your mouse, as they are full of energy throughout the night.

Wrapping Up

We can conclude that a running wheel is one of the best things you can add to a mouse cage. As we mentioned, mice can run about 6 miles every day. They are more than eager to run if you provide them with the opportunity to do so.

You can even spice things up and buy a flying saucer, which works the same as a running wheel but still provides a different experience. Or surprise your pet with an exercise ball that is mobile, allowing your pet to run not only inside but outside the cage without getting away.