Pet Wiki

Long-haired Mouse

Mus musculus

Also called Long Hair mouse, Longhaired fancy mouse

VarietyShort profile

From A coat variety of the domestic fancy mouse; recognised by mouse clubs including the AFRMA in the United States.12

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 8 cm32
Lifespan1.5 to 3 years324
Sizetiny
Soft, fluffy long coat
Available in any colour and marking
Curious and fun to watch
152

Coat and looks how to spot one

Long hair: long, dense, fine and silky

A fancy mouse whose fur grows noticeably longer than the usual coat, giving a soft, fluffy look. Show breeders aim for hair that is as long as possible while still thick, with a fine, silky feel. The long coat can be paired with satin for extra shine.12

Coloursany recognised colour or markingblackbluechocolatefawncreamsilverwhiteagoutitanfoxbandedbroken markedDutchHerefordvariegated51

Personality what they are like

Coat type has no effect on character, so these are typical fancy mice: lively, curious and happiest with mouse company. With calm, gentle handling close to the ground they settle well and seldom nip, and the AFRMA expects every show mouse to be easy to handle.245

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Busy and quick, most active at night and around dusk and dawn. Offer a solid-surface wheel, ropes, branches, tubes and tunnels, and scatter part of the food so they can forage.467

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Mice groom themselves, so brushing is not needed. A clean, dry cage with fresh bedding helps the longer coat stay neat; spot-clean daily and fully clean every one to two weeks.61

Home where they are happiest

A roomy, escape-proof cage with bar gaps under 5 mm, at least 2 cm of dust-free bedding plus paper or hay for nesting, hides with more than one exit, a solid wheel and climbing items. Keep it well ventilated, out of draughts and away from heat.6

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Complete mouse nuggets as the main food, with small portions of vegetables and fruit counted into the daily amount. Scatter some of the ration for foraging and provide fresh water from a bottle, checked daily.7

Company who they like around

Sociable animals that do best in stable, same-sex groups. Females usually live together easily; males are best kept with brothers they grew up with. Avoid swapping members in a settled group.82

The story where it all began

Long-haired mice are one of the coat varieties developed by mouse fanciers alongside the standard and satin coats. The AFRMA recognises both the Long Hair and the Long Hair Satin as separate show varieties.21

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    The show ideal is a coat as long as it can grow, but it must also stay dense, not thin and wispy.1

  2. 2

    Combine long hair with the satin gene and you get the Long Hair Satin, a variety with its own AFRMA standard.1

  3. 3

    Curly-coated Frizzie mice can carry long hair too.1

  4. 4

    Long-haired mice can be standard or satin-coated underneath, just with longer fur.2

Recognised by the official bits

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA)
Recognised varieties 'Long Hair' (coat as long as possible, dense, fine and silky) and 'Long Hair Satin' (the same with satin sheen).1

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Long-haired Mouse. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Hamster and Gerbil Fresh Veggie and Herb Mix

A simple, safe daily supplement that provides essential vitamins, hydration and enrichment for hamsters and gerbils.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut the carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer a total of 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons of this mix per day, depending on the size of your pet.

How much: 1.5 to 4.5 teaspoons per day for hamsters and gerbils

Recipe from Oxbow Animal Health

Rat-Friendly Veggie and Egg Treat

Rats are omnivores and enjoy a varied diet. This treat provides protein and enrichment, and encourages natural foraging behaviour.

You need

  • 1 small slice of carrot (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small floret of broccoli
  • 1 small slice of cucumber (about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small slice of apple (without seeds, about 1cm thick)
  • 1 small piece of cooked egg (about the size of a pea)

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into small pieces (about 1cm cubes).
  3. Cook an egg until hard-boiled, then cool and peel. Take a small piece about the size of a pea.
  4. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  5. Offer this as part of your rat’s daily food allowance, not in addition to it.

How much: A small amount as part of daily food allowance for rats

Recipe from RSPCA

Small Furries Safe Snack Plate

A selection of safe, low-sugar vegetables and herbs that can be offered as occasional treats to hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice.

You need

  • 1 small piece of carrot (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of broccoli (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of cucumber (about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small piece of apple (without seeds, about the size of a pea)
  • 1 small leaf of basil or parsley

How

  1. Wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly.
  2. Cut carrot, broccoli, cucumber and apple into pieces no larger than a pea.
  3. Tear the herb leaf into tiny pieces.
  4. Arrange on a small plate or scatter in the cage for foraging enrichment.
  5. Offer only in small amounts alongside their regular pelleted food.

How much: A small amount as an occasional treat for hamsters, gerbils, rats and mice

Recipe from Burgess Pet Care

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Long-haired Mouse?

Feed your Long-haired Mouse daily with complete mouse nuggets as the main food, plus small portions of vegetables and fruit. Scatter some of the ration for foraging and always provide fresh water from a bottle, checked daily.7

What should a Long-haired Mouse eat, and which foods are dangerous?

The main diet should be complete mouse nuggets, with small portions of vegetables and fruit. Dangerous foods include chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and many others listed by the ASPCA; avoid these entirely.79

Should I bathe a Long-haired Mouse?

No, you should not bathe a Long-haired Mouse; they groom themselves and bathing can cause stress. Keep the cage clean and dry with fresh bedding to help the long coat stay neat. Furry Diary's starting plan includes spot-cleaning the cage every 2 days and a full clean every 7 days.61 Pet Wiki plan

Does a Long-haired Mouse need brushing?

Brushing is not needed as mice groom themselves. A clean cage with fresh bedding keeps the long coat in good condition.61

How do I look after a Long-haired Mouse's nails and teeth?

Nail and teeth care for a Long-haired Mouse varies; consult an exotic-pet vet for guidance. Furry Diary's starting plan includes a yearly vet check to monitor overall health. Pet Wiki plan

How much space and exercise does a Long-haired Mouse need?

Provide a roomy, escape-proof cage with bar gaps under 5 mm, at least 2 cm of bedding, and a solid wheel for exercise. Add ropes, branches, tubes, and tunnels, and scatter food for foraging to keep them active.467

Should a Long-haired Mouse live alone or with friends?

Long-haired Mice are sociable and do best in stable, same-sex groups. Females usually live together easily, while males are best kept with brothers they grew up with; avoid swapping members in a settled group.82

How long does a Long-haired Mouse live?

A Long-haired Mouse typically lives between 1.5 and 3 years.324

Is a Long-haired Mouse a good pet for children?

With calm, gentle handling close to the ground, Long-haired Mice settle well and seldom nip, making them suitable for gentle children under supervision. They are lively and curious, happiest with mouse company.245

How do I hold a Long-haired Mouse?

Hold your Long-haired Mouse gently and calmly close to the ground to prevent injury if they jump. They settle well with this approach and rarely nip.245

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.

  1. AFRMA - Fancy Mice coat varieties afrma.orgused for Long Hair and Long Hair Satin standards, recognition, Frizzie note
  2. Fancy mouse - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for weight, length, lifespan, temperament, social needs, coat variety overview
  3. MSD Veterinary Manual - Description and Physical Characteristics of Mice msdvetmanual.comused for weight, length, lifespan
  4. RSPCA - Mice rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, activity, handling
  5. AFRMA - Fancy Mice (standards and colours) afrma.orgused for general mouse standard, show length, variety list, colours, temperament requirement
  6. RSPCA - Mice environment rspca.org.ukused for housing, bedding, cleaning
  7. RSPCA - Mice diet rspca.org.ukused for diet, foraging
  8. RSPCA - Mice company rspca.org.ukused for social needs
  9. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.