Mouse Diets

Wild mice eat just about anything they can get their little paws on. They are omnivores. Pet mice or fancy mice still retain this instinct, so it only makes sense to make sure all that the pet mice can eat are nutritious foods and chew toys. Pet mice seem to be hungry all of the time, but they only need about 16 grams or a half ounce of food per day to stay healthy, according to Sharon Vanderlip, DVM.

  1. Basic Diet

    • Pet mice are carefully bred to be social, outgoing and friendly.

      The main core of a fancy mouse's diet should be commercially made mouse or rat food. This may appear as compressed blocks, pellets or a mixture of pellets and seeds. Pet rats have little opportunity to eat protein, so choose a commercial pet mouse food that contains about 20 percent protein. Check the milling date on the food. Buy only food less than six months old because it will still be fresh and retain nutrients. Leave the food in a bowl for the mouse to eat at will throughout the day.

    Treats

    • People who love mice are called "musophiles."

      Treats should be given sparingly, but can be given daily. If they are cut up into small pieces, than the treat can be used to help with training. Good treats include leafy green vegetables, peas, carrot slices or pieces, apple pieces, unsalted nuts, uncooked oatmeal, wheat, bran and unsweetened cereal made from whole grains. Any vegetables or fruit needs to be washed to remove any traces of pesticides.

    Water

    • The life expectancy of a pet mouse is one to three years.

      One pet mouse drinks, on average, one half ounce or 15 milliters of water per day, according to Sharon Vanderlip, DVM. Mice drink more if their enclosure's temperature is hot, if they are pregnant or fighting an illness. But since pet mice are commonly kept in pairs or small colonies, they need as large a water bottle as can be provided or two smaller bottles to ensure that all of the mice get adequate water. Water should be changed daily and water bottles cleaned weekly or whenever they appear discolored.

    Warning

    • Never feed your pet mouse sugary pastries or cheese. Contrary to popular belief, mice do not like cheese.

      Foods that should never be fed to pet mice include salty snacks, any sugary pastry, chocolate, any other candy, fried foods, spicy foods, onions, garlic or peppers. Never feed sticky foods like jam or peanut butter. Never fill the water bottle with alcoholic beverages or carbonated fizzy drinks, even if it is sugarless. Mice cannot belch and the gas produced would be extremely painful. Despite popular misconception, mice are not fond of cheese.