What Do Mice Eat?

If you’re wondering what mice eat, a better question might be to ask: what don’t they eat?

These little pets are opportunists who’ll munch on anything tasty that comes into their enclosure. However, just because mice like to eat all sorts of savory snacks and treats doesn’t mean you should share just any bite of your lunch with them.

Like other small mammals, mice have specific dietary needs that must be met to ensure their health and well-being. Knowing what to feed your pet mouse (as well as what not to feed them) is a critical part of keeping them happy and healthy.

Your curious little nocturnal buddies need a balanced diet designed to meet their nutritional requirements. Healthy foods for mice include fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality pellets.

They’ll munch on crackers, popcorn, nuts, and seeds too. But these should be considered treats (not meals) and only offered as a supplemental snack to enrich their diet, or as a training reward when you’re teaching them new tricks.

Mice are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant- and animal-based foods.

While pet mice may not need to scavenge for meals like their outdoor cousins, they still need to eat a varied diet made up of several foods to ensure they get the nutrients they need.

Nuggets/Pellets

The foundation of your mouse’s diet should come from a commercially made mouse food in the form of a rodent block or pellets.

This type of food has all the nutritional elements your pet mouse needs in their diet and is designed so they’re not able to pick and choose only their favorites (like they do with seed blends or other mixes).

“Even when combined with better ingredients, seed mixes are similar to handing a toddler a mixed bag of broccoli and cookies,” says María Juárez Byrd, DVM. Stick with the pellets, and offer a small portion for your mouse daily. Follow the recommended serving size on the container, based on your mouse’s weight, to prevent overfeeding.

Treats

Though they may want to eat more, Dr. Byrd says mouse treats should make up less than 5% of your pet’s diet and are offered no more than two to three times a week. “While the volumes look small, 10 sunflower seeds to a mouse are like a child eating cupcakes for lunch,” she says.

Other treats that are OK to share, in small amounts only, include:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Brazil nuts
• Yogurt (in treat form)

Used as tools for training and enrichment, a few treats each week is fine. But Dr. Byrd says that too many can contribute to health issues like vitamin deficiencies, tooth and jaw disease, heart failure, and a shorter lifespan.

Veggies

Fresh vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli can be added to your pet mouse’s diet to provide essential vitamins and minerals. Offer a small number of vegetables daily to supplement their diet.

Dr. Byrd recommends that vegetables make up 10 to 40% of your mouse’s balanced diet. She lists the following as safe vegetables you can share with mice:

• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Zucchini
• Pumpkin
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Peas
• Corn
• Green beans

Fruit

Fresh fruits can also be offered a few times per week, but these amounts should be limited, says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Eddington, Maine. Offer small pieces of fruit once or twice a week to add variety to their diet and satisfy their sweet cravings.

Safe fruits for pet mice include

• Apples
• Berries
• Bananas
• Bits of melon (watermelon without the seeds, honeydew)

Human foods that are sweet or contain lots of salt or sugar (like cookies, ice cream, potato chips) should not be fed to your mouse. Dr. Mitchell says these junk foods don’t offer them anything of nutritional value, contain a lot of empty calories, and may even make them sick.

Never feed your pet mice the following foods, as these can be toxic or lead to digestive issues:

• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Onions
• Garlic
• Rhubarb
• Citrus
• Uncooked potatoes

When choosing a food for your mouse, look for pellets that are formulated to meet their specific nutritional needs (and keep them from being selective eaters that only go for the sweet snacks, like they do with seed blends).

Mice need a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Commercially made pellets are the best way to ensure they get the right balance of nutrients.

Dr. Mitchell says to avoid any foods with seeds, nuts, dried fruits and vegetables, or artificial colors or flavorings added. She recommends offering a rodent pellet (sometimes called block), which is often very well-balanced.

Dr. Byrd recommends finding a pellet blend that contains 16 to 23% protein, around 5% fat, and a minimum of 18% fiber.

If you have questions about the dietary needs of your pet mice talk to your vet or nutritionist, because they can help you determine what a healthy menu looks like for your furry friend.

Mice should have round-the-clock access to clean, fresh water.

A sipper bottle attached to the cage will prevent spills and keep them from accidentally contaminating it with their little paws.

Be sure to monitor their water intake and refill the bottle regularly to ensure they have an adequate water supply. It’s also important to clean the water bottle daily, including the spout, to prevent buildup of bacteria in the container.

Can you feed your mice cheese?

While cartoon versions of these furry friends are known for their love of cheese, it’s not good for them to eat, aside from a tiny nibble as an occasional treat.

Like other high-fat foods, Dr. Mitchell says that too much cheese can lead to obesity and other health issues if they have too much.

How often do pet mice need to eat?

Mice like to graze, eating little bits here and there throughout the day. Offer a small number of pellets in their enclosure each day, along with fresh fruits and vegetables as occasional treats.

Keeping your mice well-fed means offering a balanced, nutritious diet. Offer a variety of foods, limit treats, and provide 24-hour access to clean water to ensure your mouse leads a happy and healthy life.

Expert input provided by exotic and small animal veterinarian Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP; and exotic and small animal veterinarian Maria Juárez Byrd, DVM, of Jefferson City, Missouri.