The Best Pet-Safe Mousetraps

You're seeing the signs. You know, "those" signs: little nuggets left in hidden places, holes in bags of food, and maybe even some chewed-up wires around your home. You hope it isn't true, until one night, you see a mouse scampering across the hallway in the darkness. And what's worse, too, is that everyone knows there is never just one. If you see one, there are more, and it can be tough to get rid of them. When you have pets, sticky traps, and snap traps can lead to broken toes or hurt noses. So what can you do? Choose one of these pet-safe mousetraps.

What to Look For

Researching pet-safe mousetraps, we found the best ones are humane, affordable, and reusable. With these things in mind, our top pick is the Tomcat mousetrap. This trap holds poison blocks that can be used on up to 12 mice. And it has a clear lid, so you can keep an eye on what’s going on inside the trap. Since it is reusable, this mousetrap is an affordable option to use in your home. If you are looking for a humane option, we like the Avantina mousetrap. This clear plastic box has space for food to lure a mouse or larger rodent into the trap. There are breathing holes to keep them alive, so you can release them away from your home without killing them. Keep reading to discover a pet-safe mousetrap that works for you.

Tomcat Mouse Killer Disposable Station

Tamper-resistant

Keep your pets and family safe with this tamper-resistant mousetrap.
Best Overall

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It can be hard to find a good bait trap that can effectively keep your pooch out. Many traps include spaces big enough for paws and noses, especially for those belonging to toy breeds. That is not a problem with this mousetrap from Tomcat. This pet-safe mousetrap is designed to be safe to use around pets due to the small entrances and hidden poison bait blocks. Mice can’t drag the blocks out, so they are forced to go inside and eat them. That means your dog won’t be able to get to the bait and make themselves sick (or worse). What’s more, these poison blocks are used by exterminators and have been proven effective against mice and rats. Get rid of those pests permanently and keep your dog safe by choosing these traps.

Pros:

  • The lid is clear, so you can see when the bait is running out
  • Each bait block kills up to 12 mice
  • Affordable option

Cons:

  • When you use poison for mice, you need to be very careful that your dog doesn’t find a dead mouse and eat it

Kat Sense Bait Station Traps

Effective and secure

Keep pets out with this locking mousetrap.
Runner Up

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It gets frustrating when you have to continuously buy more mousetraps, which happens often with disposable bait traps. The Kat Sense mousetraps can be refilled with new bait blocks every time they run out, so you aren’t wasting time and money buying entirely new stations all the time. These bait stations are built to be the Fort Knox of bait stations. The bait blocks are held in with metal bars, and the cover of the entire thing is held in place with two locks, each needing a key to open. That ensures your pets and kids stay out and safe from the harmful effects of the poison, while the small opening allows rats and mice to enter and eat the poison. You will appreciate how well-made they are and how effectively they get rid of your mouse problem.

Pros:

  • It has mounting brackets, so it can’t be carried away or picked up by your pooch
  • These bait stations are cleaner and safer than snap traps and glue traps
  • They save you money over time

Cons:

  • Requires a larger up-front cost

Victor Electronic Mousetrap

Quick and convenient

Kill and remove mice quickly and easily with this electric mousetrap.
Best Electric

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Poison can lead to dead mice strewn around your home, while snap and glue traps can be dangerous. So what do you do if you want the mice gone for good but don’t want to deal with any of that? You get the Victor electronic mousetrap. This mousetrap kills mice through a quick electric shock. They are killed instantly without suffering, while your pets are kept safe from other, more dangerous trap options. You won’t have to see or touch the dead rodents at any point. Simply open it up and dump it out. The beveled columns don’t let mice out once they go in, and the bait cup sits conveniently in the back, so the mice have to go all the way in. Once killed, an indicator light blinks so you can get dump it.

Pros:

  • This trap has a 100% kill rate, and each set of AA batteries can kill 100 mice
  • Once there is a dead mouse inside, there is a light to let you know, so you aren’t stuck smelling dead mouse or physically checking
  • The built-in safety switch protects your dog from any accidental shocks

Cons:

  • It can be hard to open up the trap to place the bait inside

CaptSure Original Humane Mousetraps

Don't break the bank

Get control over your rodent problem without spending an arm and a leg.
Best Value

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Some of us don’t want to kill any mice – we just want them gone. Killing them might seem like an unnecessary act of cruelty; after all, it’s easy enough to find a faraway field to drop them off in so they live to see another day. If that is the case with you, you will appreciate the CaptSure mousetraps. These humane mousetraps are designed to safely trap a mouse inside using a simple design that involves the mouse stepping in and the spring door closing. All you need to do is add bait and set it. The see-through exterior makes it easy to see when you have a guest inside, so you can take it to your designated release site and let them go. There is no poison, no pain, and no risk to your pets with this method. You also never need to touch the mouse or any mouse poop.

Pros:

  • This trap comes in a variety of sizes to catch mice, rats, chipmunks, or even moles
  • Pet and child-friendly
  • It is easy to use and takes seconds to set up
  • Once you release a mouse, simply clean it and reuse it as many times as you want

Cons:

  • It can be hard to clean under the closing mechanism

Avantina Mouse Mansion Humane Trap

Have a heart

Trap and remove mice without getting hurt or risking injury to your pets with this mousetrap.
Most Humane

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If you prefer humane traps but dislike how small the competing units can be, you will appreciate this one for its extra features. The Avantina mousetrap is spacious and easy to use. This mousetrap is big enough to fit mice, rats, and even moles. You never have to worry about the mouse’s tail getting caught or a closing mechanism hitting them. It also offers plenty of ventilation and space for the mouse to ensure it stays healthy inside. When you’re ready to release it, simply take it a couple of miles away and let it go. You won’t have to worry about your pup eating a poisoned mouse, getting caught in a glue trap, or being injured by a snap trap when you use a humane trap like this one.

Pros:

  • This reusable trap is easy to empty and clean without needing to touch a mouse or its poop
  • It is affordably priced and lasts for a long time
  • Your dog will be safe from injury when you use this type of trap
  • Installation is quick and easy

Cons:

  • If you do not release your little furry friend fast enough, it can chew through the plastic

How far away do you need to release a mouse from a humane trap?

To prevent mice from returning to your home, you should release them at least two miles away from your home. Some good options include local nature preserves, parks, and forests. You could also release them near rivers and lakes because there is usually a good food source surrounding water sources.

Are poison bait traps safe?

Poison bait traps are safe for the most part. You would not want to feed the poison to your dog or let them eat a poisoned mouse; however, if they did chomp a bit by accident, they would probably be fine. Of course, you will need to call your vet to make sure, but in general, the small amount of poison it takes to kill a little mouse is not nearly enough to make your dog sick.

About the Author

Chelsia is the proud owner of two long-coat Chihuahuas and an 11-year-old pit mix. She and her five kids enjoy roaming the rivers and forests surrounding her North Carolina home — and so do her dogs. Taking care of multiple pets can be a challenge, which is why Chelsia seeks to help fellow dog owners find the right products for their furry family members.

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