My Dog Ate a Mouse – What You Should Do Now

I never thought I’d walk into my kitchen and see my dog chewing on a mouse. If you’re feeling scared and just typed “my dog ate a mouse” into Google, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Lots of dogs do this, and while it might look gross, it’s important to know what it could mean for their health. In this post, I’ll share what happened with my dog, what the vet told me, and what you should do next. I learned a lot from this—and I hope it helps you too.

Is It Dangerous If My Dog Ate a Mouse?

So, what happens if a dog eats a mouse? It depends—but don’t freak out.
In many cases, your dog might be just fine. Some dogs eat a mouse and act like nothing ever happened. Yep, it’s gross, but dogs do weird things sometimes. Still, there are a few things you should know.
Can dogs get sick from eating mice? Yes, they can. Mice can carry germs, parasites, or may have eaten poison. That’s why it’s important to watch your dog closely. If you’re asking, “my dog ate a mouse, will he get sick?”, here’s the deal: sometimes nothing happens, but sometimes your dog might get sick.
Here’s what could happen:

• Nothing at all – Your dog might feel fine and go on like normal.
  
• Mild symptoms – Some dogs might throw up or have a runny poop.
  
• Serious problems – If the mouse was poisoned or very dirty, your dog could get really sick.
  

If you’re thinking, “what if my dog eats a mouse?”, just stay calm and check how they act. If they seem okay, that’s a good sign. But if they start acting strange, call your vet.
And yes, dogs will eat mice if they find one. It’s natural for some breeds. So, if you’re searching, “my dog ate a live mouse: what do I do” or “what happens when a dog eats a mouse,” know that you’re not the only one dealing with this.
When it happened to me, I was scared too. But after calling the vet, I felt a lot better. My dog ended up fine—but I kept a close eye on him just in case. 

Can Dogs Get Sick from Eating Mice?

Yes, dogs can get sick from eating mice, but not always. It depends on what the mouse had inside it.
Mice can carry harmful things. These include bacteria like Salmonella, parasites like roundworms or tapeworms, and even poison. So if your dog grabs a mouse, it’s not just gross—it could be dangerous.
If you’re wondering, “can a dog get sick from eating a mouse?”, the answer is yes—but not every dog will. Some dogs eat a mouse and seem fine. Others may vomit or feel tired. In rare cases, they can get very sick, especially if the mouse was poisoned.
When my dog ate a mouse, I panicked. I wasn’t sure if the mouse had eaten poison. That’s what scared me the most. Rodent poison doesn’t just kill mice—it can hurt dogs, too. And here’s what stuck with me:

“According to Dr. Karen Becker, a well-known integrative vet, ‘Rodenticides can be deadly to pets. Even a small amount, passed from a poisoned rodent, can harm a dog—especially if left untreated.'” That hit me hard. I’m so glad I called my vet right away.

Another risk? Parasites. Sometimes, your dog might not show signs for days or even weeks. They might get tummy problems later. That’s why many vets suggest a deworming treatment if your dog eats a wild animal.
So, what happens if a dog eats a mouse? Sometimes nothing. Sometimes they get sick. If you’re asking, “my dog ate a mouse, will he get sick?”, the real answer is—maybe. Watch for signs. If they act strange or look ill, call your vet.
If you’re thinking, “my dog ate a live mouse: what do I do?” or “how do I know if my dog ate a mouse?”, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone. It’s more common than you think. Dogs are curious—and sometimes too fast for us to stop them.

What to Do If My Dog Ate a Mouse

If you’re thinking, “my dog ate a mouse what do I do”, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This happened to me too. I walked into my kitchen and saw my dog with a mouse in his mouth. I felt sick, but I took action. Here’s what I did, step by step.

1. Stay Calm

I know it’s scary, but try to stay calm. Your dog needs you to think clearly. Most of the time, what happens if a dog eats a mouse is that they’re fine. Dogs do gross things. Eating a mouse doesn’t always mean they’ll get sick.
Take a deep breath. Your dog might be okay. But you still need to keep an eye on them.

2. Check Your Dog’s Mouth

Next, I checked my dog’s mouth. I wanted to see if he really ate it or just played with it. Sometimes, dogs don’t eat the whole mouse. They just chew it or carry it around.
If there’s fur, blood, or pieces in their mouth, clean it with a soft cloth. You can also give your dog some water to rinse their mouth.

3. Watch Your Dog Closely

After that, I kept watching my dog. He looked fine at first, but I didn’t take any chances. I checked how he acted—was he eating, walking, and playing like normal?
If you’re asking, “what happens if my dog eats a mouse”, the truth is it depends. Some dogs are fine. Others might feel sick. Watch for vomiting, loose poop, tiredness, or strange behavior.
If you think, “can a dog get sick from eating a mouse”, yes—they can. But not always. That’s why watching is so important.

4. Call Your Vet

I wasn’t sure if the mouse had poison in it. That made me very worried. I called my vet right away.
If you think, “what to do if my dog ate a poisoned mouse”, the best thing is to call your vet. Don’t wait. Poison might not show signs right away.
My vet asked me what happened. He wanted to know if the mouse looked dead already or if my dog had any signs of being sick. He gave me advice that helped me feel better and keep my dog safe.
So, what if my dog eats a mouse? Or what happens when a dog eats a mouse? Try to stay calm, check their mouth, watch how they act, and call your vet. Dogs are quick and curious. Will a dog eat a mouse? Yes. It’s natural. But now you know what to do.
If you’re wondering, “how do I know if my dog ate a mouse”, check their breath, mouth, and behavior. That’s how I figured it out too.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

If you are thinking, “what happens if a dog eats a mouse?”, there are some things you should look out for. When my dog ate a mouse, I felt scared. I kept checking him to see if he was okay. These signs helped me know if he was sick.

Vomiting

Your dog may throw up. This means the mouse did not sit well in the stomach. Vomiting can happen soon after eating the mouse. If it happens again and again, call the vet. This can be a sign of something bad.

Diarrhea

Look at your dog’s poop. Is it soft or runny? That’s called diarrhea. This can mean the mouse made your dog’s tummy upset. It might be from germs or poison. If it keeps going, take your dog to the vet.

Lethargy

Does your dog seem sleepy or slow? That is called lethargy. My dog ate a live mouse once. Later, he did not want to move. He looked tired. This was not normal. If your dog acts like this, it could be a sign of being sick.

Tremors or Seizures

If your dog shakes or has fits, that is very bad. These are called tremors or seizures. They can mean the mouse had poison inside. Take your dog to the vet right away. Do not wait.

When to Go to the Emergency Vet

If you see vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, or seizures, go to the vet fast. Even if your dog looks okay at first, signs can come later. You may be thinking, “my dog ate a mouse, will he get sick?” The answer is: maybe. Watch your dog closely. If anything feels wrong, get help.
Dogs do eat mice. So if you’re asking, “what to do if your dog eats a mouse,” now you know. Look for these signs. Help your dog fast if you need to. It can make a big difference.

Can Dogs Get Parasites from Eating Mice?

Should You Be Worried?

Yes, but not always. A single mouse might not harm a healthy dog, but there are several real dangers to consider:

1. Rodenticides (Rat Poison)

If the mouse was poisoned before your dog ate it, your dog could get secondary poisoning. Symptoms might not show up immediately but can include:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Bleeding disorders

Call your vet immediately if you suspect the mouse may have ingested poison.

2. Parasites and Diseases

Mice carry:

• Roundworms and tapeworms
• Leptospirosis
• Salmonella
• Toxoplasmosis

Some of these can also infect humans (zoonotic diseases).

3. Choking or Blockages

If the mouse was eaten whole (especially bones), it could cause:

• Choking
• Digestive obstruction
• Gastrointestinal upset

What to Do Next:

• Monitor for symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or behavioral changes
• Contact your vet: Especially if your dog is young, old, or immunocompromised
• Bring a stool sample to the vet if they recommend testing for parasites

Prevent It from Happening Again:

• Keep your yard mouse-free
• Don’t use poison—opt for pet-safe traps instead
• Supervise your dog outdoors

What If the Mouse Was Poisoned?

This was my biggest fear. I kept thinking, what happens if my dog eats a mouse that ate poison? That thought alone made my stomach twist. My dog didn’t show signs at first, and that’s what scared me more. Poison doesn’t always work fast. Sometimes, it sneaks up later.
If the mouse had poison inside, it can pass to your dog. This is called secondary poisoning. It means your dog didn’t eat the poison directly—but they ate something that did. And yes, my dog ate a mouse, and I didn’t know if it was poisoned or not. That’s why I had to be extra careful.
Some poisons take hours or even a day before showing signs. So even if your dog looks okay right now, they might not be fine later. That’s why watching them closely is super important. If you see shaking, bleeding, or they seem really tired, it’s time to get help. My dog ate a mouse, will he get sick? The answer is maybe—especially if the mouse had poison.
When I called the vet, he said to bring my dog in right away just to be safe. I’m so glad I did. Even though my dog turned out fine, I didn’t want to take a chance. If you’re asking, what to do if your dog eats a mouse, especially a poisoned one, the best thing is to call your vet fast.
Poison in mice is made to kill, and it can hurt dogs too. It’s not something you wait on. If you’re thinking, what if my dog eats a mouse that was already dead, be extra careful—that dead mouse might’ve died from poison.
So, can a dog get sick from eating a mouse that had poison? Yes. It’s rare, but it can happen. And the scariest part? The signs might not show up right away.
If you ever think, my dog ate a live mouse: what do I do, or you saw them eat one outside, try to remember what the mouse looked like. Was it moving fast? Was it slow or already dead? A slow or still mouse could mean it was poisoned.
Now, I always check for mouse traps and poison around my yard. I also tell my neighbors not to use poison because we have pets around. That small talk could save a life.
If your dog eats a mouse and you’re scared, trust that feeling. Better to be safe than sorry. Will a dog eat a mouse? Yes, they will. But now you know what to do next.

How to Prevent Dogs from Eating Mice

If you’re wondering how to prevent dogs from eating mice, you’re not alone. When my dog ate a live mouse, I felt shocked—and honestly, a little grossed out. But I learned that stopping it from happening again starts with making your home less interesting to mice.

Keep Pet Food Sealed

Mice love dog food. If you leave the bag open, they’ll sneak in for a snack. That’s how it started at my house. I didn’t know mice were getting into the food until I saw tiny chew marks. Now I keep all dog food in a sealed plastic container. This helps keep the mice away and makes it less likely that your dog eats a mouse later.

Secure Garbage

Garbage can be a big reason mice come near your home. I used to leave bags by the back door, and my dog would sniff around. One day, I saw a mouse run out of the trash! After that, I got bins with lids that shut tight. Keeping garbage sealed keeps mice away, which means your dog is less likely to eat a mouse.

Use Pet-Safe Mouse Traps

When my dog ate a mouse, the scariest part was not knowing if the mouse had eaten poison. That’s called secondary poisoning, and it can hurt dogs badly. I threw away all the poison traps and got pet-safe mouse traps instead. They catch the mice without using anything harmful. If you’re thinking, “what happens if a dog eats a mouse that was poisoned?”, using safe traps can help stop that from ever happening.

Watch Your Dog Outside and Teach Basic Commands

Some dogs love to chase small animals. Mine is one of them. I used to let him run free in the yard, but after he ate a mouse, I started watching him more closely. I also taught him simple commands like “leave it” and “drop it.” These helped a lot. Once, he grabbed something, and I told him to “drop it”—and he did. That might’ve saved him from eating another mouse.

Try Natural Deterrents

Mice don’t like strong smells like peppermint. I didn’t know this at first, but now I use cotton balls with peppermint oil under the sink and in the garage. It keeps the mice away without using poison. I even planted peppermint in my backyard. It smells nice, and it helps keep mice from coming near where my dog plays.

My Vet’s Advice: What I Learned from My Dog’s Mouse Mishap

When my dog ate a live mouse, I didn’t know what to do. One second he was sniffing near the pantry, and the next, there was a mouse in his mouth. I stood there in shock. I kept thinking, “what happens if a dog eats a mouse?” Is he going to get sick? Is it dangerous? I felt scared and confused, so I grabbed my phone and called my vet right away.
She told me I did the right thing. She said dogs can sometimes get sick after eating a mouse, but not always. It depends on things like if the mouse was poisoned or had parasites. That made me feel a little better because I thought something bad would happen right away. If you’re asking, “my dog ate a mouse will he get sick?”, the truth is—sometimes yes, sometimes no. But it’s very important to watch them closely.

Here’s What My Vet Told Me

She told me to check for things like vomiting, soft poop, acting sleepy, or not wanting to eat. She also said that if my dog ate the whole mouse, I needed to be extra careful. That’s because what happens if your dog eats a mouse that had poison inside can be serious. Poison doesn’t always make dogs sick right away. It can take hours or even a full day.
She also told me about worms. I didn’t know this, but mice can have tiny bugs in their bodies—called parasites. If a dog eats a mouse, those bugs can get inside the dog’s tummy. That’s why she gave my dog a pill to kill any worms, just to be safe. So yes, a dog can get sick from eating a mouse, even if they look okay at first.

What I Changed After That Day

After that scary moment, I made a lot of changes at home. I stopped leaving dog food bags open. I started putting all the food in plastic bins with lids. I threw away the old poison traps and got ones that are safe for pets. That helped keep mice away, so my dog wouldn’t find one again.

I also began watching him more when he played outside. If he sniffed too much in one spot, I’d check it. And I taught him a new command: “drop it.” That way, if he ever picks up something weird again, I can tell him to let it go. When people ask, “will a dog eat a mouse?”, the answer is yes—some dogs will. They’re quick and curious.
I even talked to my neighbors. I asked if they used poison for mice. Some of them said yes. I explained what happened to my dog, and they agreed to try safer ways. That small chat made me feel like I was helping more than just my own dog.

So if you’re wondering, “what if my dog eats a mouse?” or “my dog ate a mouse what do I do,” here’s what I learned: stay calm, call your vet, and keep watching your dog for any changes. Just because they look okay doesn’t mean they are okay.Now I know what to do. I feel more ready. And my dog? He’s doing great.

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The MyPawSafe Team

We’re the dedicated team behind MyPawSafe.com, with over a decade of combined experience in veterinary care, pet emergency response, and animal behavior. While we prefer to let our work speak for itself, our mission is clear: to provide science-backed, vet-approved advice that helps pet owners prevent accidents and save lives.