Wild mice are omnivorous, often eating grasses, seeds, grain, and occasionally invertebrates. Fortunately for the owners of pet mice, the nutritional requirements of mice are well established from work done in mice kept in laboratories (the same species as those we keep as companions). This means that there are formulated diets available for mice that meet their nutritional requirements. These formulated diets can be used as the basis for a healthy, well-balanced diet based which can be supplemented with small amounts of fresh foods (e.g., vegetables and fruit) as treats and for variety and interest.
Seed mixes are not a good choice of diet for mice as the mice tend to selectively feed on the bits they like the most (usually high-calorie foods, such as sunflower seed) and ignore formulated pellets, resulting in dietary imbalance. The most common adverse outcome from this is obesity which can negatively affect the health of mice.
As nocturnal species, food and water consumption occurs mostly during the night. They locate food by sniffing, grasping food with their mouths, sitting on their haunches to eat, using their elbows to grasp food, and manipulate their food with their front feet as they are eating, even if the food is too large to be held in their paws.
It is essential that the diet of your mice provides them with ample opportunities to chew/gnaw. This is an important behavioural need for mice, and the diet you select for your mice should reflect that and allow them to express this important behaviour.
You should feed:
- Good quality pellets or cubes formulated for mice – these should be the foundation of their diet (ensure they have a protein content of approximately 14-16% and a fat content of approximately 5%; note that animals who are breeding will need higher protein levels). Feed the amount recommended by the food’s nutrition guide and in consultation your veterinarian to make sure your mice are getting enough food but not too much (too much food can lead to obesity).
- Small amounts of fresh dark greens and non-starchy vegetables as part of their daily food allowance (not in addition to it); for example: bok choy/other Asian greens, parsley, kale, beet greens, broccoli, green beans, carrots, and zucchini.
You can feed treats, but these should be given infrequently in small amounts (no more than 10% of the total calories the mice need); for example, fruits like apples, berries, and kiwi. Reserve treats for rewards during training and special occasions.
Avoid feeding seed/grain mixes, sugary and high fat foods (e.g., sweets and dairy products), and potentially harmful foods/plants (in general, if plants or foods are considered harmful for cats and dogs, it is advisable to avoid these for mice; e.g., chocolate, grapes/raisins, avocado, garlic, onion, coffee, tea, alcohol, sticky foods that could be a choking hazard).
Provide clean fresh water at all times. It is preferable to provide water in good-quality water bottles rather than bowl (as bedding, droppings etc will end up in water bowls and soil them). It is important that water bottles are checked and tested to ensure that the bottles are functioning normally (i.e., not leaking or blocked). Have more than one water bottle in the enclosure in case one malfunctions. The water should be changed daily to keep the water fresh.
Note: A normal behaviour for mice is re-ingesting their own faeces and those of other mice (called coprophagy – from the Greek “to eat dung”). Although modern diets mean that coprophagy is unnecessary for survival, it is an innate behaviour.
References
Bullen LE (2021) Nutrition for Pocket Pets (Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents). Veterinary Clinics of North America – Small Animal Practice 51:583–604
Evans E (2006) Small rodent behaviour: mice, rats, gerbils, and hamsters. In: Bays TB, Lightfoot T, Mayer J (eds) Exotic Pet Behavior. W.B. Saunders, pp 239–261
Frohlich J (2020) Rats and mice. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, Carpenter JW (eds) Ferrets, rabbits and rodents, 4th ed. W.B. Saunders, pp 345–367
Lennox A, Bauck L (2012) Small Rodents – Basic anatomy, physiology, husbandry, and clinical techniques. In: Quesenberry K, Carpenter J (eds) Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Third. Elsevier Health Sciences, pp 339–353
Parsons JL (2024) Nutritional Physiology and Feeding of Companion Rodents. Veterinary Clinics of North America – Exotic Animal Practice 27:1–12
FAQs
You should feed: Good quality pellets or cubes formulated for mice – these should be the foundation of their diet (ensure they have a protein content of approximately 14-16% and a fat content of approximately 5%; note that animals who are breeding will need higher protein levels).
What is the best thing to feed a mouse? ›
In order to stay healthy and well-nourished, a mouse's diet should contain:
- A commercial mouse feed.
- Fresh vegetables.
- Fresh fruit.
- Protein sources, including certain meats, chickpeas, beans and eggs and mealworms.
- Fresh water, made readily available throughout the day and night.
House mice are omnivorous but prefer to consume grains, fruits and seeds. Consequently, they may cause severe damage to crops and domestic gardens. Although it is commonly believed that mice are attracted to cheese, they tend to prefer foods that are higher in carbohydrates.
What food does a mouse need? ›
In their food, mice need a minimum level of fiber (18%) and protein (16%) to stay healthy. Additionally, fat content should be limited to a maximum of 4%. Paying attention to these levels will help your mice stay fit. Supplements and Snacks: In addition to their commercial food, your pets will enjoy a daily treat.
What foods are poisonous to mice? ›
Grapes, raisins, rhubarb and walnuts are poisonous to mice and lettuce can cause them to have diarrhoea. Wild mice find food by foraging and so a portion of daily food that is provided for pet mice should be scattered in a cage to encourage this foraging behaviour.
Can mice eat peanut butter? ›
What food is irresistible to mice? People often think cheese is the best food to catch mice, but there is an even better option. Peanut butter is the most cost-effective food that rodents seem to love. Its strong nutty aroma and sweetness make it the perfect mouse trap bait.
What do mice hate the most? ›
13 scents that mice hate and can help you to keep them away
- Cinnamon. This has a strong and spicy aroma that mice probably hate. ...
- Vinegar. Mix some water and vinegar in a spray bottle to mist any areas where they have been seen more often.
- Dryer sheets. ...
- Cloves/clove oil. ...
- Peppermint oil. ...
- Teabags. ...
- Mint toothpaste. ...
- Ammonia.
Cereals, seeds, grains, biscuits, sweet food, bread, pasta and rice should only be fed as treats in very small amounts. Avoid feeding mice grain and seed mixes, as these are very high in sugars and fats and can lead to mice becoming overweight and obese.
What is bad for mice? ›
Avoid feeding seed/grain mixes, sugary and high fat foods (e.g., sweets and dairy products), and potentially harmful foods/plants (in general, if plants or foods are considered harmful for cats and dogs, it is advisable to avoid these for mice; e.g., chocolate, grapes/raisins, avocado, garlic, onion, coffee, tea, ...
How long can mice go without food? ›
Mice can only survive for about 2-4 days without a meal, despite their ability to go a month or more without directly consuming water (since they absorb a lot of the moisture that hydrates them through their food). However, mice will eat almost anything (i.e. seeds, flowers, grass, paper, soap).
Their all-time favorite? Grains, like oats and wheat. That's because they can hold onto them, nibbling their way through cereal pieces like corn on the cob. The fix: Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and chip-clip closures can still lure mice in for a cereal meal.
Will mice eat uncooked rice? ›
Rice, grains, seeds, and oats are all favorites of mice. These are especially ripe pickings for mice because they're typically stored in plastic bags and cardboard boxes or tubes. They can chew a small hole and sneak in and out without leaving an immediately noticeable opening.
How to make homemade mouse food? ›
The food mix is made up of the following parts:
- 10 scoops of base mix.
- 5 scoops of processed grains.
- 2 scoops of protein source.
- 2 scoops of dried herbs and vegetables.
- 1 scoop of healthy seeds.
Mice can find direct water in the wild in streams, lakes, and puddles. They can also drink water captured on plants through rain and condensation. When mice move into homes, they find water sources near sinks or bathroom or kitchen cabinets. They will drink condensation around pipes and in sinks.
What is the best way to feed mice? ›
Scatter their daily amount of pellets around their cage instead of feeding them from their bowl. Your mice will have to sniff out their meal. This is a really useful trick if you have one mouse that's over-protective of the food bowl and won't let your other mice have their fair share of the food.
What food catches mice the best? ›
The rodents are primarily nut and seed eaters, so the mouse trap bait they are most strongly attracted to is peanut butter or hazelnut spread. Their hunger for calories also entices them to try chocolate.
What is the best food to attract a mouse to a trap? ›
THE MOST EFFECTIVE BAITS TO USE IN A MOUSE / RAT TRAP
- PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE. Mice love eating seeds and nuts, which makes the flavor of peanut butter attractive for them. ...
- PET FOOD. ...
- SEEDS AND NUTS. ...
- MARSHMALLOWS AND GUMDROPS. ...
- DELI MEAT. ...
- FRUIT JAM. ...
- SOFT CHEESE.
Some common mouse favorites include fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, chocolate, cheese, processed meats, and high-fat pet food. Mice are also known to enjoy water and will drink from any available source.
How do you keep mice happy? ›
Your mice will enjoy:
Plastic or card tunnels and tubes. Some tunnels allow you to build big mazes with them and even a loop-the-loop! Card boxes such as shoe and cereal boxes. Children's toys, such as mini dollhouses and early learning toys, can offer great hiding places and nesting opportunities.
