Dormouse information – all about the dormouse as a pet

Dormouse information – care, housing, feeding & hibernation

The dormouse (also known as the seven-dormouse, Glis glis ) is a dormouse and therefore not a "normal" mouse. They are clever, agile climbers that are primarily active at dusk and night. This comprehensive information page explains how to keep dormouse responsibly: behavior & socialization, habitat & design (climbing & hiding places), bedding & nest, diet (including controlled variation), hibernation/winter rest, handling & taming, and health. DRD Rodent Shop® has been a specialist since 2011 and helps you choose based on well-being, safety, and a logically designed habitat.

Directly to the Mouse shop:Mouse (all) · Mouse cages & enclosures · Mouse bedding · Mouse food

Mouse species – information pages

Species, temperament, and size determine what makes sense for housing, feeding, and furnishing. That's why DRD offers species-specific information pages:

• Colored Mouse – Information
• African Harvest Mouse – information
• Dormouse (Seven-dorsum) – information
• Spiny mouse – information
• Field mouse – information
• Vole – information

Dormouse as a pet – who is it suitable for?

Dormice are animals that are both eye-catching and engaging : you'll especially enjoy their climbing, foraging, and nocturnal activity. They're less suitable if you're looking for an animal to handle frequently during the day. For children, it's best to observe and hand-feed under supervision, and gradually increase handling to a limited extent.

Good to know: dormice are relatively large for "mouse size" (roughly 13–19 cm body, with a bushy tail). With proper care, they can live for several years . A calm, consistent routine and a well-stocked habitat make all the difference.

Behavior & keeping together

The dormouse is naturally nocturnal and prefers to live with plenty of hiding places and climbing routes. During the day, they rest in a nest (preferably dark, dry, and safe), and in the evening they become active: climbing, sniffing, foraging, and gnawing.

Keeping them together: dormice can be sociable, but group cohesion depends entirely on space , multiple hiding places , and more than one of each (nesting site, food, and water). If you want to keep several animals together, provide extra space and carefully build up the group. Always ensure you know the sexes to prevent unwanted litters.

Stress signals include excessive hiding, aggression toward food, chasing, squealing, and biting. When anxiety is present, the first step is almost always: more space, more routes, more hiding places , and more food and water points.

Accommodation & facilities (climbing, grip & safety)

A good dormouse habitat is high , safe , and logically laid out. Consider climbing routes (branches, ropes, platforms, ladders), with shelters and "crossing points" along the way. Avoid slippery, open areas where an animal could slip or fall.

Escape-proof: dormice are clever and can squeeze through small openings. So choose an enclosure with sturdy locks and check grilles/mesh and connections (including around doors).

Practical starting points: Mouse cages & enclosures · Cage accessories · Platforms & ladders · Tunnels · Hammocks · Play & foraging · Gnawing materials

Water & feeding: Check daily. Use sturdy bowls and place multiple feeding stations to reduce competition: Food bowls Drinking bottles & water bowls

Ground cover & nest (dust-free, absorbent, nest-building-proof)

Choose a substrate that is dust-reducing and absorbent . Dormice use their roosts for foraging, nesting material, and creating nesting zones. A thicker layer often helps keep the roost fresher, especially if you clean it carefully.

Choose your route here: Mouse ground cover · Mouse nesting material

Nesting material: Provide plenty of material that is easy to work with (papery/natural fibers) and avoid long, strong fibers that can entangle their legs. A nest box/house that can accommodate the entire flock, plus additional hiding places, provides peace and quiet.

Be smart about hygiene: it's better to regularly "spot clean" (wet areas/food scraps) than to replace everything completely every time. Leave a small amount of dry, clean nesting material for identification and group calm.

Food & snacks (basic + controlled variation)

In the wild, dormice primarily eat energy-rich plant-based foods (nuts/seeds/fruit, depending on the season), supplemented with buds/flowers and occasional animal protein. For housing, this translates to a good basic diet (suitable for mice/omnivores), with small portions of variety .

Useful categories: Mouse food · Hay, herbs & seeds · Mouse snacks · Dried fruit & vegetables

Practical feeding tips:

• Foraging: Hide some of the food throughout the enclosure or in feeding toys. This provides exercise and mental stimulation.
• Nuts & seeds: incredibly popular, yet energy-rich. Use as a treat and give in moderation.
• Fruit: small portions, not too often. Too much (sweet/moist) can disrupt bowel movements and promote spoilage.
• Animal protein: some dormice do well with an occasional small source of protein (e.g. insects), appropriate for the animal and its condition.

Extra enrichment: Playing & foraging .

Hibernation & seasonal rhythm (rest, routine and monitoring)

The dormouse is known for its distinct seasonal rhythm . In the wild, they can hibernate for extended periods. This behavior can (partially) recur in housing: more sleeping, less eating, and less activity during a period.

Important: Don't "burn" or force an animal to keep it awake. Provide a quiet, safe nesting area with plenty of dry nesting material. Monitor weight/condition, and if in doubt (e.g., sudden significant weight loss, shortness of breath, lethargy, or not drinking), consult a rodent veterinarian as soon as possible.

Taming & Handling (gentle step-by-step plan)

Dormice can become curious, but they remain prey. Build trust with calmness, predictability, and rewards. Avoid quick movements and "grabbing" from above.

• Week 1: Get used to the smell/sound. Talk quietly around the enclosure; don't grab.
• Week 2: Reward with the hand (mini snack) and place your hand quietly in the enclosure.
• Then: let the animal step into a tube/hand. Lift briefly, support it, and then return safely. Build up slowly.

Very important: never lift a dormouse by its tail. Dormice can damage their tail (skin) if pulled. Always support the body.

Handy for quiet travel or a visit to the vet: Mouse transport boxes .

Health & prevention

Dormice can hide symptoms for a long time. Therefore, daily observation is important: appetite, drinking, activity, breathing, fur/eyes/nose, and feces.

Pay extra attention to: shortness of breath/sneezing (dust/environment), runny nose/eyes, puffy stomach, rapid weight loss, diarrhea/wet bottom, wounds or bumps, sudden aggressive behavior (pain/stress). Keep the enclosure free of dust, well-ventilated (draft-free), and prevent fall risks by providing stable climbing routes.

Practical categories: Mouse health · Mouse care

For general background information on rodent care, you can also consult the LICG .

✓ Carefully selected range for responsible farming
✓ Selection assistance and in-depth information from a specialist since 2011
✓ Practical tips for a rich, safe and escape-proof interior