Proteus hauseri is a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium.

Similar to other members of the Enterobacterales order, Proteus hauseri is oxidase negative, catalase positive, glucose fermenting, and nitrate reducing.

P. hauseri shares a similar biochemical profile with Proteus vulgaris but can be differentiated by its ability to produce acid from trehalose.

Most strains of P. hauseri demonstrate swarming motility, often covering the entire plate onto which it is inoculated.

Biogroup 3 was characterized by positive indole production but negative for salicin and aesculin.