Bitten by a Mouse? Skip the Rabies Panic and Do This Instead

Quick Take

• Mice can technically carry rabies, but the real disease risk from a bite is something most people never see coming. See the rabies reality →
• Skipping the doctor after a "minor" mouse bite could be the exact mistake that turns a small wound into a serious problem. Check the real bite risks →
• One common household material people use to seal mouse entry points is completely useless because mice chew right through it. Find better sealing materials →
• Pet mice bite for a reason most owners never suspect, and that reason has nothing to do with aggression. Discover why pet mice bite →

Has a mouse bitten you? Maybe you handled a friend’s pet, or you are worried about an infestation in your home. Knowing what to do in these situations can be challenging, especially with rabies being such a deadly disease. In this article, we’ll discuss whether mice can carry rabies, a few other risks to consider, and what you should do if a pet or wild mouse bites you.

Mice Can Carry Rabies, but Can They Give It to Humans?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), wild mice and other rodents can contract rabies. Fortunately, rabies infections in rodents are rare, and recent studies show cases are decreasing. Researchers have found it is typically spread through cross-species transmission (CST), with raccoons believed to be the primary source of CST. However, interactions between mice and larger animals are less likely due to the size difference.

In fact, of the 401 cases of rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pika) reported by health officials from 2011 to 2020, none involved rabid house mice. There are also no documented cases of mice transmitting rabies to people. Pet mice that live indoors and don’t interact with wildlife have an even lower chance of having rabies.

What to Do if You’re Bitten by a Mouse

You’re unlikely to need a rabies vaccine if a mouse bites you. However, there are some other things to worry about, such as infection and other diseases. Animal bites carry a serious risk of infection since the teeth create puncture wounds, which go deep into the skin and heal over quickly. This can trap bacteria beneath the skin. Infections that can be transmitted via mouse or other rodent bites include rat-bite fever, hantavirus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis, among others.

If you’re bitten by a mouse and the bite breaks skin:

• Clean the wound immediately with soap and water.
• See a doctor, even if the bite is minor. They’ll likely prescribe antibiotics and ensure you’re up to date on tetanus shots.
• Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, fever, vomiting, or a bad odor coming from the wound.

Tetanus isn’t necessarily caught from the bite itself, but the wound can become infected with the Clostridium tetani bacteria, which is what causes the disease. Tetanus causes muscle spasms and stiffness, especially in the jaw. Severe allergic reactions to mouse bites are rare but possible. If you develop hives, itchiness, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or other symptoms of anaphylaxis, go to the hospital for immediate treatment.

Keeping Mice Out of Your Home

Mice in your home can bring quite a few risks to you and your family. As we’ve discussed, these can include mouse bites, parasites, and diseases. If a wild mouse in your home has bitten you, consider humane removal options such as live traps.

To keep the mice out permanently, seal off any openings in your home. Remember, mice can fit into very tight spaces. According to the Humane Society, the most common ways mice get into our homes are through damaged foundations and siding, and utility pipe and wire entries.

They recommend sealing off entry points with quick-dry cement or expanding foam insulation. Avoid wire mesh alone, as mice can chew through wire and plastic, making it ineffective for keeping them out. You’ll also want to remove mice’s motivation for entering your home in the first place. Keep your home clean and place food in airtight containers. The CDC has many resources on controlling wild rodent infestations.

Handling Pet Mice

If your pet mouse has bitten you, you should also clean the wound immediately with soap and water. Even if your pet mouse is not carrying any diseases, bite wounds can still get infected. Consult your doctor, especially if you have signs of infection.

You may also want to learn some handling tips to prevent future bites.

• Support their entire body with your hands. Do not pick up a mouse by their tail, as this can be very painful for them.
• Stay quiet and calm. As prey animals, mice are easily startled by loud noises and sudden movements.
• Let them come to you. When possible, allow your mouse to interact on their terms. Forcing interaction makes them feel threatened, which can lead to biting. Of course, sometimes you’ll need to handle your mouse for medical reasons, even if they don’t like it.
• Respect their boundaries. It can be easy to force things on small animals since they can’t stop us. However, this is a good way to get bitten. The more respect you show to your mouse by handling them on their terms, the better relationship you’ll develop with them and the less likely they’ll be to bite.
• Wash your hands thoroughly or wear gloves. Remember that mice have poor eyesight, so they rely primarily on scent. If you have lingering food scents on your hands, don’t be surprised if your pet takes a little nibble. Wash your hands or wear gloves as you handle your pet mouse, especially if you’re doing something they don’t like, such as getting them out to go to the vet.