Posted on by Barky Boy

What Spots Do Pet Mice Like to Be Petted? (Guide With Infographic)

Mice are small, fun, and cute pets. They are entertaining to watch and can enjoy being in the company of their human owners. Every mouse is different and while most prefer not to be held, many do at least tolerate being handled. If your mouse likes being petted, it will most likely enjoy being stroked around the back of the head, gently at the top of the nose.

Because mice are prey animals in the wild, and they naturally retain some of the instincts that keep them alive in a wild setting, they don’t like to be startled by their owners and may not like being petted around the bottom or on the back. Most mice do not like having their bellies tickled, either.

Best Places to Pet a Mouse Infographic
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Mice In the Wild

Wild mice can be found in many countries across the world. They live in fields and grassland, and many live close to humans, making their homes in the walls and under the floors. They are omnivores, which means that they eat a combination of insects and plants.

Mice are prey to a whole host of animals, primarily depending on the type of location where they live. Field mice are preyed on by birds, snakes, and a host of cats and dogs, including domesticated pets, for example. House mice have many of the same predators, as well as rats.

Mice As Pets

As is true of most prey animals, mice can be a little skittish even when kept as pets. They prefer the confines and safety of their enclosure to being handled, and they can get very nervous if they feel threatened. This means that you should try and give them a warning before bearing down on them. Many mice prefer not to be handled or petted, but they may enjoy sitting on your hand, especially if it contains a food-based treat, or perching on your shoulder.

mice eat lettuce
Image Credit: VH-studio, Shutterstock

Spots To Pet Mice

Although a lot of mice don’t like being petted, some do. If you want to try petting your pet mouse, try gently rubbing the top of its head or at the top of its nose. Some mice may enjoy having their sides stroked, but you should try to avoid the bottom and belly areas.

Mice Handling Tips

Even if you don’t regularly handle your pet mice, there will come an occasion when you might need to pick them up. Follow these simple tips to help prevent injury and reduce stress in your mouse.

1. Don’t Scare Them

Try to avoid picking a mouse up when it is sleeping or if it doesn’t know you’re nearby. Speak to your mouse as you approach and if it is friendly, let it sniff your hand before reaching under to grab it.

pet mice on human hand
Image Credit: Sergey Bezgodov, Shutterstock

2. Be Very Gentle

Mice are tiny and it doesn’t take much to injure one when picking it up. If the mouse is large enough, you can pick it up with one hand, shaped like a claw, and place it under the mouse’s body. Otherwise, you should cup your hands together and scoop the mouse up.

3. Keep Your Hands Low

Once you have picked the mouse up, it is best to keep your hands low and ideally above a soft surface. If a mouse gets nervous, it might try running or jumping from your hand and this can easily cause injury. Better it gets away and you have to hunt for it under the sofa than it falls from your chest height.

Small silver domestic mouse (Mus musculus) held in hand
Image Credit: Furiarossa, Shutterstock

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Do Mice Get Attached to Humans?

While mice do not necessarily enjoy being petted or stroked, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t affectionate and don’t enjoy the company of their human beings. Mice are social animals and they will form a close bond with other mice in their cage and potentially with you and other family members. Yours might like to be carried in your hands, perch on your shoulder, or rest in your top pocket. The more affection you show a mouse, the more it will return that affection.

Do Mice Recognize Their Owners?

Surprisingly, mice can recognize their owners as they approach. This is typically through a combination of sight and smell. They can get excited when they see their favorite human approaching, making them great pets that can potentially lift the spirits of their owners.

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Conclusion

Mice can make appealing pets. They are small and cute, and they have some interesting habits that make them a great addition to a home. However, most mice do not particularly enjoy being petted and may not enjoy being handled at all. If you want to pet your mouse, take it slowly, and concentrate your gentle petting on the top of the head and the top of the nose area. But, if the mouse flinches or backs away, don’t push it.

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