What should I feed to a wild mouse?

Question

My cat bought back a baby mouse tonight. It's a bit ruffled so we're keeping it for the night to make sure its ok before releasing it back in the field. What can I feed it, that I'd have at home (ie not rodent/hamster food).
And would it be safe to release it in the field - will it find its mother/family?

Answer 1

just give it water for the night and let it go in morning will be fine my 3 cats used to bring me loads of "prezzies"

Answer 2

it will most likely be dead by morning!
I always hoped to see those critters alive as adults the next day and they never were!!!
Its more than likely going to die!!
If not, its OK to keep it or find it a home if it has no fur yet then you should turn it into a animal shelter you can even do it in the morning IF ITS ALIVE!!
BTW, U can try to feed it sunflower seeds, or any kind of small rodent food...that is what they live off of and meal scraps...what exactly of those I have no clue!
if it is refusing to eat it knows its going to die so kill it!

But I have had about 10 mice 3 birds all die by the next morning!!
Sorry if it hurts you! but that is life and that is the main reason Cats have been domesticated!!!

Answer 3

Take bread and add a little milk to soften it. Keep it in the dark, rodents are nocturnal. Depending on where you live, don't worry too much of hanta virus. I rescue wild deer mice and have done so for 15 years!! I get them before the ferrets do. Mice will actually eat anything. Regular oatmeal, uncooked (not instant); cereal, etc. But if it is young use the bread and milk. Don't handle it too much if you plan on returning it to the field.

Answer 4

Just give it a little water, it'll be fine. If you really want to feed it something, some kind of cereal is good, especially grain/whole grain cereals. Eg Cheerios. It probably won't find its family again but mice have to fend for themselves pretty early anyway, it'll make a new home.

Answer 5

feed the mouse vegetables and fruits. that should be fine. can the mouse see/ walk? if it can see where its going and seems like it can survive on its own, then you should be able to release it. however it will not be able to find its mother/family, and if it does, the mother will probably abandon it because it has yours and the cats scent on it, so the mom doesnt recognize it has its own. but if you do release it when its older, it also might not be able to survive on its own because it has been relying on you for food and water, and will not be able to find them on its own in the wild.

Answer 6

DeCon

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection

Answer 7

If you must feed it, try maybe oatmeal or dry cereal without sugar or something similar. It's probaly a better idea not to. You probably should release it right away as close to the place where it was captured as possible. They don't tend to thrive in captivity.

Answer 8

Just release it in the field it will look after itself it's parents have probably kicked it out which they do at 2 weeks old ,It will soon find another home for it'self.!

Answer 9

offer a wide range of foods, include fruits, grain, nuts and meat and see what the mouse eats. When you work out what it likes, you can feed it more of its favourite food. Please be careful to avoid giving a diet rich in sugars and fats, as this may harm the mouse.

Answer 10

You shouldn't keep it. It will be denied by the family if it does find them again because it has human scent on it.

You should have released it right away.