Pet Wiki

Hairless Mouse

Mus musculus

Also called Hairless fancy mouse

VarietyShort profile

From A coat variety of the domestic fancy mouse, kept and shown by mouse fanciers; in the AFRMA it is one of the eight recognised mouse coat types.12

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 8 cm34
Lifespan1.5 to 3 years35
Sizetiny
Striking, unusual look
Bright eyes and big ears
Shows off skin colour and markings
1

Coat and looks how to spot one

Hairless (hr gene)

The show ideal is a mouse with as little hair as possible and thin, glossy, slightly see-through skin that is smooth and unmarked. Some wrinkling of the skin is allowed, the ears are large and smooth, and the whiskers can be very short or absent altogether. Pups are born with a coat and shed it quickly in their third week.1

ColoursAny AFRMA-recognised colour or marking, visible in the skin1

Personality what they are like

Shares the typical fancy mouse character: quick, curious and busy, best handled calmly and close to the ground.5

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active, mostly at night and around dawn and dusk. Offer a solid running wheel, tubes, ropes and climbing items, and scatter some food to encourage foraging.567

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No brushing needed. The AFRMA standard asks for toenails to be kept short, trimmed if necessary. Spot-clean the cage daily and check the water bottle every day.16

Home where they are happiest

An escape-proof, well-ventilated cage with dust-free bedding, paper or hay for nesting, hides with more than one exit and climbing items, kept out of draughts.6

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Complete mouse nuggets as the main food, with small amounts of fruit and vegetables and fresh water available at all times from a bottle.7

Company who they like around

A sociable animal that should live with other mice in a stable, compatible single-sex group; females usually settle together more easily than males.8

The story where it all began

Hairless mice come from the hairless (hr) gene, which has been studied by scientists as well as kept by fanciers. Fancy breeders took it up as a show coat, and today the AFRMA lists Hairless among its eight standard coat types.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Hairless mice are born with fur and lose it fast: hair starts thinning around the eyes at about two weeks, and the coat is gone within a few days.1

  2. 2

    Their whiskers can be very short or missing completely, which the show standard allows.1

  3. 3

    Because there is no fur in the way, the mouse's colour and markings show directly in its skin.1

  4. 4

    Hairless is one of only eight coat types the AFRMA officially standardises for mice.1

Recognised by the official bits

American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA)
Hairless is one of the eight standardised AFRMA mouse coat varieties; it may be shown in any recognised colour or marking.1

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Hairless 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 Hairless Mouse?

Your Hairless Mouse should always have fresh water from a bottle and complete mouse nuggets available. Offer small amounts of fruit and vegetables daily, and follow the food label for portion guidance. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a full cage clean every 7 days and a vet check once a year.7 Pet Wiki plan

What should a Hairless Mouse eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Feed complete mouse nuggets as the main diet, plus tiny bits of fruit and vegetables. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and xylitol, as these can be harmful. Always ask your vet if you are unsure about a specific food.79

Should I bathe a Hairless Mouse?

Bathing is not needed for a Hairless Mouse. Their skin is delicate, so spot-clean the cage every 2 days and do a full clean weekly to keep them healthy. If you have concerns about their skin, consult an exotic-pet vet.16 Pet Wiki plan

Does a Hairless Mouse need brushing?

No brushing is needed for a Hairless Mouse. Their grooming care focuses on keeping toenails short and trimming them if necessary. A clean cage and daily water check are more important.16

How do I look after a Hairless Mouse's nails and teeth?

Keep your Hairless Mouse's toenails short by trimming them if needed, as per the AFRMA standard. Their teeth wear down naturally with a proper diet of mouse nuggets and chew toys. For any issues, ask your vet.17

How much space and exercise does a Hairless Mouse need?

Provide an escape-proof, well-ventilated cage with dust-free bedding, hides, and climbing items. They are very active, especially at night, so offer a solid running wheel, tubes, and ropes, and scatter food to encourage foraging.567

Should a Hairless Mouse live alone or with friends?

Hairless Mice are sociable and should live with other mice in a stable, single-sex group. Females usually settle together more easily than males. Always introduce them carefully and ask a good breeder for advice.8

How long does a Hairless Mouse live?

A Hairless Mouse typically lives between 1.5 and 3 years. With good care, a proper diet, and regular vet checks, you can help them enjoy a full, happy life.35

Is a Hairless Mouse a good pet for children?

Hairless Mice are quick, curious, and busy, so they are best for calm, gentle handling close to the ground. They can be good for older children who understand their delicate nature. Always supervise interactions.5

How do I hold a Hairless Mouse?

Handle your Hairless Mouse calmly and close to the ground to prevent falls. Cup them gently in your hands, supporting their body. Their skin is delicate, so be extra careful. Ask a vet or breeder for a demonstration if needed.5

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? [email protected].

  1. AFRMA - Mouse coat varieties afrma.orgused for recognition, coat description, gene, hair loss timing, nails, whiskers, colours
  2. AFRMA - Fancy Mice afrma.orgused for list of standard coat types
  3. MSD Veterinary Manual - Mice msdvetmanual.comused for general fancy mouse weight, length, lifespan
  4. Fancy mouse - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for general weight and length
  5. RSPCA - Mice rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, activity, handling
  6. RSPCA - Mice environment rspca.org.ukused for housing, enrichment, 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.