The Mouse Diet: A Guide To Feeding Your Pet

Mice are omnivores, meaning they eat plants, seeds, grains, and insects. In the wild, they would spend most of their time foraging for food, so it's important to provide a variety of foods to keep your pet mouse happy and healthy. A good diet for a pet mouse should include a mix of commercial rodent food, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the occasional treat.

Commercial rodent food, such as mouse pellets or blocks, provides the necessary vitamins, minerals, protein, and other essential nutrients that mice need. These should make up the majority of your mouse's diet—around 75% according to some sources. It's best to avoid seed mixes, as mice tend to selectively feed on their favourite (usually high-calorie) seeds, leading to dietary imbalance.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are also an important part of a mouse's diet and should be offered in small amounts daily. Good options include dark leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, and fruits like apples, bananas, and berries. It's important to remove seeds from apples and avoid feeding your mouse citrus fruits.

In addition to their regular diet, pet mice can also enjoy occasional treats such as boiled or scrambled eggs, lean meat, beans, peas, and other pulses. It's important to only give treats infrequently and in small amounts, as overeating can be harmful to mice.

What to Feed a Pet Mouse

Commercial rodent food

When choosing a commercial food, it is important to pay attention to certain nutritional facts. Mice need a minimum level of fibre (18%) and protein (14-16%) in their food to stay healthy. Additionally, their fat consumption should be limited to a maximum of 4-5%.

Fresh fruit and vegetables

Some good fruit options include apples, pears, bananas, melons, peaches, plums, berries, and kiwis. Be sure to remove the seeds from apples before feeding them to your mouse. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit should be avoided, as they are acidic and can be harmful to mice.

Mice can eat a variety of vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, celery, bok choy/other Asian greens, parsley, kale, beet greens, green beans, zucchini, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, endive, corn, peas, and tomatoes. Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and celery contain a balance of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates that are essential to keeping your pet mouse healthy.

Mice in the wild spend most of their time searching for food. To recreate this natural behaviour, scatter their food inside their cage instead of feeding them from a bowl. This will also help prevent one mouse from hogging all the food if you have multiple mice. You can also hide fruits and vegetables in a plastic bag or cardboard box to give your mouse some entertainment as it looks for its food.

Pellets or cubes

It is also important to note that mice need opportunities to chew and gnaw, so harder treats can be given once a week to help wear down their teeth. Overall, it is important to provide a balanced diet for your pet mouse and ensure they have access to fresh food and water at all times.

Treats

Some healthy treats for mice include:

• Fruits and vegetables: These should be given in small portions, such as 1/4 tablespoon or a portion the same size as the mouse's ear. Good options include parsley, bananas, pears, tomatoes, peas, melons, berries, carrots, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, avocados, apples, grapes, and strawberries.
• Pulses and low-sugar cereals (less than 5% sugar): Pulses are a good source of protein and fibre, while low-sugar cereals can provide some carbohydrates and nutrients.
• Boiled eggs: Eggs are a good source of protein, and mice will also enjoy nibbling on the eggshell for extra minerals.
• Fresh or dried mealworms: Mealworms are a good source of protein and can be given one or two at a time, unless your dry food already includes them.
• Apple wood or other fruit tree wood: Chewing on wood helps to wear down your mouse's teeth and provides an opportunity for them to express their natural chewing and gnawing behaviour.
• Dried herbs: There are many dried herb mixtures available from pet stores that can add some variety to your mouse's diet.
• Dog biscuits: Dog biscuits, such as gravy bones, can be given as an occasional treat, but be sure to choose a healthy option with limited added sugars and fats.

It is important to avoid giving your mouse unhealthy or harmful treats, such as water supplements, fatty or colourful chew sticks, mineral and salt blocks, peanuts, corn, cabbage, onions, chocolate, rhubarb, and raw potatoes. Always err on the side of caution and consult a veterinarian if you are unsure about a particular food item.

Water

Fresh, clean water should be available for your pet mouse at all times. It is best to provide water in a water bottle, as it stays clean and free of bedding and droppings, which can soil water bowls. You should also have a water dish in the enclosure until you are sure your mouse knows how to use the bottle. Change the water daily to keep it fresh.

It is a good idea to have more than one water bottle in the enclosure in case one malfunctions. Water bottles should be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning normally and not leaking or blocked.

You can also add a vitamin and mineral supplement to your mouse's drinking water, according to the bottle's directions. This will ensure your mouse gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs, as it is unlikely to be able to choose the foods its body requires in the wild. Salt will also encourage your mouse to drink enough water, and the water will aid in digestion.

Frequently asked questions