Atiny mouse has become a viral TikTok sensation after being discovered on the floor of a grocery store and adopted by a kind-hearted shopper.
The video shows the moment a woman behind the camera scoops up the mouse using a face mask as a makeshift carrier, followed by a series of heartwarming clips revealing the mouse’s unexpected journey.
These touching moments show her hand-feeding her new furry friend tiny pieces of cheese and even capturing Mostaccioli cozying up in her partner’s armpit.
While many TikTokers are enchanted by the unconventional adoption story, others are raising concerns about potential health risks, specifically relating to toxoplasmosis.
One comment with 13,200 likes says: “A lil toxoplasmosis baby mouse got me too. It was the cutest thing [I’ve] ever seen and just waddling towards me like it needed comfort.”
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, which typically infects warm-blooded animals, according to the CDC. The parasite can be transmitted to humans through various means, such as handling infected animals or consuming undercooked, contaminated meat.
Although rodents are not commonly a direct source of transmission to humans, concerns arise primarily from potential contamination in a store environment, where mice may come into contact with other carriers of the parasite.
As the conversation on the TikTok footage unfolds, viewers are divided on whether this heartwarming story is an endearing tale of rescue or a potential health risk. Regardless, it’s clear that the pint-sized pet has captured hearts worldwide—and the video’s view count is still climbing.
TikTok Reacts
The video currently has over 618,000 likes and nearly 2,000 comments—one of which alone has received 82,800 likes. It reads: “Thank you for showing him kindness. He’s so [little].”
“[I don’t know] how people don’t think mice are the cutest little babies ever,” commented one user, while another wrote: “I would give that little baby the world, he deserves everything good that life has to offer.”
The woman has continued to spoil her new furry friend and explained in an update that the mouse didn’t run away and seemed terrified when it approached her in the store.
They’ve now set up an enclosure at home, showing footage of the mouse sleeping on a sock filled with warmed rice. Another clip captures the moment they fed him kitten formula using a paintbrush, as a bottle would have been too big.
She also noted that some users warned against feeding the mouse cheese, which, while popular in cartoons, isn’t a natural part of a mouse’s diet. A 2006 study led by Dr. David Holmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, and reported by BBC News, found that mice would likely avoid cheese because of its strong smell and rich taste. Instead, they’re more inclined toward grains and fruits, which are more commonly found in their natural environment.
Newsweek reached out to @mostacciolimouse for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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