Pet mouse sounds and noises: what your mice are telling you

This page is about pet mice, not wild mice in a house.

What sounds do pet mice make and what do they mean?

Fewer than you might expect, at least that you can hear. The RSPCA explains that mice hear a wide range of sounds, including ultrasound, which is too high for people. Keeper guides such as the Furry Critter Network describe much of their social chat as ultrasonic too, and say the squeaks you can hear are usually alarm calls, pain signals or protests during a squabble. So a quiet cage is normal, and an audible squeak is worth a look.

The table draws on the RSPCA, Wood Green, the MSD Vet Manual, the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA), Chewy and the Furry Critter Network. Our guide to pet mouse behaviour and body language covers the postures that go with them.

Can mice make sounds we cannot hear?

Yes, and most of the time that is what they are doing. The RSPCA says mice hear a wide range of frequencies, including ultrasound, and asks owners to keep their cage away from high-pitched sounds, ultrasound and sudden bursts of noise. Keeper guides describe mice using ultrasonic calls between themselves, which you will never hear as a keeper. How much each call means is poorly understood outside specialist work, and we do not cover that here. What matters for you is that a silent group of mice is not an unhappy one, and that sounds we cannot hear can still bother them.

• Keep the cage away from TVs, computer screens, speakers and stereos.
• Keep it away from alarms, phones and doorbells.
• Avoid kitchens, where water running into a metal sink makes high-pitched noise.
• Keep vacuum cleaners and garden tools well away from the cage.
• Choose a quiet spot where they can rest undisturbed in the day.

Every item on that list comes from the RSPCA's advice on where mice should live.

Why are my mice squeaking?

Usually because something has upset one of them. The Furry Critter Network describes the squeaks you can hear as alarm calls, pain signals or protests during an aggressive encounter. A single squeak when one mouse steps on another, or when a mouse is startled, is nothing to worry about. A mouse that squeaks again and again, or every time you touch one part of its body, may be in pain and should see a vet.

Why are my mice squeaking and fighting?

Most squeaky scuffles are about rank, and they usually settle. Chewy notes that mice in a squabble tend to be more vocal, while a playful chase is usually a quieter chase. Wood Green lists fighting with high-pitched squeals, wagging tails at each other, and pulled hair or wounds, especially around the rump and tail, as signs that two mice may not get on.

1. Watch first. Short chases and squeaks while a group settles are normal, especially after a cage clean or a new arrival.
2. Time it. Wood Green says if fighting carries on for more than an hour, separate the mice.
3. Check for wounds. Look at the rump, tail and face. Wood Green notes bites here can easily become infected and may need a vet.
4. Rethink the group. Wood Green says groups of three or more does suit most homes, and that males can be introduced to each other, or to more does than males, after neutering. Our guide to male and female mice explains which groups work.
5. Reintroduce on neutral ground. Wood Green advises introductions in a freshly cleaned space, started in the morning so you can watch.

Why does my mouse squeak when I pick it up?

Because it is scared or protesting. Mice are small prey animals, and being lifted feels like being caught. A squeak in the hand is most likely the same kind of protest call keeper guides describe between mice. Let your mouse walk onto a flat hand inside the cage, keep sessions short, and handle low over a soft surface in case it jumps. Our guide on how to tame a pet mouse walks you through it.

Why is my mouse grinding its teeth?

Usually because it is relaxed. Chewy explains that mice usually grind their teeth when they are relaxed, and that because a mouse's teeth grow all the time, grinding helps keep them in check. Some mice grind so hard that their eyes seem to move in and out with the jaw. It looks odd but is a good sign. If grinding comes with eating less, drooling or weight loss, see a vet so they can check the teeth.

Which mouse noises mean you should see a vet?

Chattering, clicking or wheezing as a mouse breathes, and sneezing or sniffling. These are breathing noises, not a voice. The MSD Vet Manual says mice with respiratory disease tend to make a noise called chattering, and lists sniffling, difficulty breathing, discharge from the nose and sneezing as general signs of illness. It advises taking your mouse to a vet if you notice any of them.

AFRMA, the American fancy mouse club, says clicking or chattering is a good indication a mouse has respiratory problems, and that mice can be a good weight, active and healthy-looking and still make these sounds. It recommends a vet experienced in treating small rodents. Our pet mouse health guide lists other signs to watch, and how to find a vet who sees mice.

Why are my mice so noisy at night?

Because night is when they are busy. The RSPCA says mice are naturally active around dusk, dawn and overnight. The noise you hear is mostly behaviour, not voice: digging, nest building, chewing, climbing and running. A healthy, well-set-up cage gives them plenty to do, which means plenty of rustling. If the noise keeps you awake, move the cage to a quiet room, which also lets them rest in the day as the RSPCA advises. Our guide to pet mouse cage setup has ideas for quieter layouts, and our complete pet mouse care guide covers the rest of what they need.