Can Mice Eat Blueberries? [A Science-backed Answer]

by

Have you ever wondered if mice can eat blueberries? You’re not the only one! Mice are tiny little omnivores, meaning that they can benefit from eating meats as well as plants. However, while it’s true that mice can eat a large variety of different kinds of food, there are several things that they should absolutely not eat. As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to find out which foods are safe for our furry little friends to eat and which ones should be avoided.

can mice eat blueberries

The short answer is this: Mice can definitely eat blueberries in small quantities and they can actually be beneficial. As long as you keep the precautions mentioned in this article in mind before you feed there should be no problem at all.

Can and should mice eat blueberries?

To find out whether mice can and should eat blueberries it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what exactly a blueberry contains. 3.5 ounces (around 100 grams) of blueberries contains the following macro-nutrients:

  • 57 calories
  • 84% water
  • 0.7 grams of protein
  • 14.5 grams of carbs
  • 10 grams of sugar
  • 2.4 grams of fiber
  • 0.3 grams of fat

As you can see, blueberries are very low in calories and fat. That’s good news because mice don’t need a whole lot of fat and calories in their diet. However, these juicy little berries are also quite rich in sugar which means that they should not eat too many of them.

But that’s not all. Blueberries are also a great source of vitamins and minerals! They’re especially rich in vitamin K1, vitamin C, and manganese while containing smaller amounts of vitamin E, vitamin B6, and copper. Furthermore, blueberries are an amazing source of antioxidants.

On the whole, blueberries do not contain anything that’s toxic to mice so they can definitely eat them. In fact, they contain several essential nutrients that your mouse can benefit from having in its diet.

Benefits of blueberries for mice

Studies have been done that show that mice benefit from having blueberries in their diet. For instance, this study has shown that blueberries can significantly improve your mouse’s memory.

Furthermore, another study performed by the Laval University in Quebec discovered that blueberries can help prevent obesity in mice because it somehow increases their activity levels!

Precautions when feeding blueberries to mice

So, now you know that blueberries are beneficial for your mouse to have and you might be tempted to rush to the fridge, grab some blueberries and feed them to your mouse. Hold up a moment and read these precautions before you feed.

  1. Do not overfeed. While blueberries are good for your pet mouse in moderation you should be careful that you do not overfeed them. As previously mentioned, blueberries are high in sugar and too much sugar is not good for your mouse. Not only that, but mice need a varied diet that consists of many different kinds of foods to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
  2. Introduce slowly. It’s a well-known fact that mice can get an upset stomach by sudden changes in their diet. Therefore, it’s important that you introduce them to new foods slowly. Start by giving them a small amount of the new food to see how they react to it. If they’re all good you can increase the amount you give them next time.
  3. Wash before feeding. It’s a sad reality that most of the produce in our modern world is contaminated with pesticides. These pesticides aren’t good for our pets so it’s recommended to wash the berries before feeding. Science shows that the ideal way to get rid of pesticides is by soaking the berries in a mixture of water and baking soda and then rinsing them with tap water.

Do mice like blueberries?

Most mice are huge fans of blueberries. They’re attracted to the sugar in the fruit and will absolutely devour them if given the chance. Nevertheless, no two mice are the same and it’s very possible that your particular mouse is not very interested in eating them. The best way to find out if your mouse wants to eat them is by simply offering it some.

If your mouse isn’t interested in blueberries, don’t worry. There are plenty of other fruits and veggies they can safely eat.

Alternatives

If your mouse doesn’t like blueberries or if you’re simply looking for some other feeding ideas, here are some alternative fruit and vegetables that are mouse-approved:

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Walnuts
  • Tomatoes
  • Grapes
  • Cherries
  • Apples (without seeds)
  • Pears
  • Bananas
  • Melons
  • Beans
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Celery

FAQ

Can mice eat blueberry yogurt?

Yes, in small quantities mice can eat blueberry yogurt. Make sure to choose a low-fat, low-sugar option.

Can mice eat frozen blueberries?

Frozen blueberries are totally fine for rats to eat. They contain the same nutrients as their fresh counterpart and can be a refreshing snack on a warm summer day.

How about dried blueberries?

Those are also okay, but in smaller quantities because they’re higher in sugar and calories.

ThePetFaq Team
Latest posts by ThePetFaq Team (see all)