Do mice really have a fondness for cheese?

Despite what many believe, mice aren’t particularly fond of cheese. Sure, if there's nothing else available, they might munch on it – a hungry mouse can't afford to be picky – but it's far from their preferred snack.

Even though mice aren’t all that keen on cheese, the iconic image of a mouse hunting for a chunk of cheese is ingrained in popular culture, from Shakespeare's works to the 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons. It's unclear exactly when this myth started, but it likely dates back to medieval times, before refrigeration was invented. During that era, food storage was more complex than simply putting things in the fridge. Families would hang meats from hooks, store grains in bags or bins, and leave large wheels of cheese exposed, covered only by wax or a layer of cloth.

During this time, it's likely that hungry mice simply ate whatever food they could find. Meat hung from the ceiling would be harder to reach, so mice probably went for grains and cheese. A few bites from a bag of grains often leave no trace, but nibbling on a chunk of cheese leaves visible teeth marks. This might have led to the idea that mice have a special love for cheese, even if they were only eating it because it was within easy reach [source: Mirsky].

Another possible explanation for the mouse-cheese link is purely visual. There's something inherently appealing about depicting a mouse next to a perfectly triangular slice of cheddar, complete with holes for decoration. This image works much better than showing a mouse with a dab of peanut butter or a handful of rice. Perhaps this image simply resonated well with animators and cartoonists, who have helped keep the myth alive over the years [source: Mirsky].

So if mice aren’t fans of cheese, what do they prefer to eat? Think sweet! Mice tend to favor sugary treats, such as fruit, grains, or even chocolate if it’s available [source: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]. If you're setting a mousetrap, sweet foods are far more likely to attract them than any variety of cheese. The selective mouse is likely to reject cheese because of its strong odor and taste [source: BBC News].

If you own a pet mouse, keep in mind that giving them cheese could be harmful, as it's not a natural part of their diet. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables along with high-quality mouse pellets for optimal nutrition, occasionally offering sweets and grains as a treat.