In my second year of university here in Spain, living in the dorms started to feel a bit lonely, and I always wanted a small pet for company. My apartment doesn’t allow cats or dogs, and space is limited. Just when I was about to give up, I stumbled upon a unique and adorable creature native to Spain—the garden dormouse! It was love at first sight. After some research and preparation, my little dormouse, ‘Paco,’ has been with me for over a month now. Today, I’m here to share my experience with everyone.
First, the Most Important Question: Legality and Sourcing
This must be said upfront! Wild garden dormice are protected by law, and it is strictly forbidden to capture or keep them
! Therefore, the only legal way to get one is to purchase from a licensed, reputable breeder. You can find information on local Spanish pet forums or specialized websites, but always make sure to verify their credentials. I got mine from a breeder near Madrid who specializes in small rodents. The price was reasonable, and it guaranteed the animal’s health and sociability.
Setting Up the Habitat
The unique needs of keeping a garden dormouse at university
mean their habitat is crucial. They are excellent climbers and nocturnal, so you must choose a tall cage, not a wide one. I use a modified reptile terrarium that is 60cm high. The inside must be filled with plenty of enrichment, such as branches of various thicknesses, hemp ropes, vines, and a completely dark hiding box. For bedding, I use corn cob, which is quite dry. And remember, they are true escape artists, so the gaps in the cage can’t be too wide, or you might find yourself on a house-wide search the next morning.
Diet Checklist: You Can’t Go Wrong with This
Their diet is quite varied, but primarily vegetarian. To make it easier for you, I’ve created a simple table that I generally follow for daily feeding. They have a small appetite; a small handful each day is enough. Just leave their food out in the evening.
| Recommended Foods | Forbidden Foods |
|---|
| Various fruits | Chocolate, sugary snacks |
| Nuts and seeds | Citrus fruits |
| Dried insects | Milk and dairy products |
| High-quality hamster food | Human processed foods |
Some Personal Thoughts and Tips
My experience with my dormouse is that it’s more like an ‘observable roommate’ than a pet you can pick up and cuddle anytime. They are very shy and need a lot of time to get used to you. Usually, when I’m studying at night, it will be climbing around in its cage, and watching its nimble movements is very therapeutic. Also, garden dormice have a hibernation period; their activity level will decrease significantly in the winter, and they may even stop eating and drinking. This is a normal phenomenon, so don’t worry too much. Overall, for international students like us, keeping a garden dormouse in a university dorm is a great pet option. They don’t take up much space, are inexpensive, don’t require too much interaction, but still bring a lot of joy. Is anyone else keeping one? Let’s connect and share experiences!
