How long can a mouse live at home without food? - briefly
Typically, a mouse can survive without food for about two to four days. Under optimal temperature and with water available, survival may extend to roughly one week.
How long can a mouse live at home without food? - in detail
A mouse kept indoors can survive without food for a limited period, typically ranging from three to five days under normal conditions. Survival time depends on several variables:
- Body reserves: Small mammals store limited glycogen and fat; depletion occurs rapidly.
- Ambient temperature: Cooler environments reduce metabolic rate, extending the window by 1–2 days; warm settings increase energy demand, shortening it.
- Hydration: Access to water dramatically lengthens survival; a mouse without both food and water usually expires within 24–48 hours.
- Age and health: Juvenile or ill individuals have lower reserves and may perish sooner than healthy adults.
During starvation, a mouse will exhibit sequential signs:
- Initial 24 hours: Restlessness, increased foraging attempts.
- 24–48 hours: Lethargy, weight loss, reduced body temperature.
- 48–72 hours: Muscle wasting, impaired coordination, susceptibility to infection.
- Beyond 72 hours: Organ failure, eventual death.
Exceptions occur when a mouse conserves energy by entering torpor, a state that can add a day or two to survival but is not typical for domestic rodents. Providing fresh water can sustain life for up to a week, though severe weight loss and health complications will still arise.
In practice, ensuring continuous access to both food and clean water prevents the rapid decline described above. If a mouse is found without nourishment, immediate provision of a balanced diet and hydration is essential to avert fatal outcomes.