What should I feed a field mouse in captivity? - briefly
A balanced diet includes commercial rodent pellets enriched with grains, fresh vegetables such as carrots and leafy greens, and occasional protein sources like mealworms. Clean water should be available constantly, while sugary or fatty foods are excluded.
What should I feed a field mouse in captivity? - in detail
A captive field mouse requires a balanced diet that mimics natural foraging while meeting nutritional needs for growth, reproduction, and health. Protein sources should constitute 15–20 % of the diet; options include mealworms, crickets, boiled eggs, and commercially available mouse or rodent pellets formulated with animal protein. Insects provide essential amino acids and fatty acids; offering 2–3 g of live or dried insects three times weekly satisfies this requirement.
Carbohydrate and fiber intake can be supplied with small portions of whole grains such as oats, barley, and wheat, as well as seed mixes containing sunflower, millet, and canary seed. Fresh vegetables contribute vitamins and minerals; suitable choices are carrots, broccoli, kale, and spinach, each trimmed to bite‑size pieces and refreshed daily to prevent spoilage. Fruit should be offered sparingly because of high sugar content; examples are apple slices, berries, and banana, limited to no more than 5 % of total intake.
Water must be available at all times in a clean bottle or shallow dish. Mineral supplementation can be provided with a calcium block or a powdered supplement mixed into dry food, ensuring adequate calcium‑phosphorus ratio (approximately 1.5 : 1). Monitoring body condition and fecal consistency helps adjust portions; weight loss or soft stool indicates the need for dietary modification.
A sample weekly schedule:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 2 g of live insects + 5 g of mixed grains
- Daily: 10 g of pellet or seed mix, 5 g of fresh vegetables
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 5 g of fruit, 5 g of boiled egg
- Sunday: Rest day with only water, pellets, and vegetables
Regular cleaning of feeding containers prevents mold and bacterial growth. Rotating food items reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies and keeps the mouse engaged in natural foraging behavior.