Care Advice for your Degu
Responsibilities for pet owners
All pet owners have a responsibility to their pets, and to buy a pet means a lifetime commitment to its care. Make sure you know everything you can about your chosen pet species before you buy. Try buying a book and asking our staff. All animals should be provided with fresh food and water, adequate housing, and a friend, if suitable for that species. All animals should also be taken to a vet as soon as possible, if required. Your style of life and household should also be considered when choosing a pet. If you can provide a pair of degus with all of these things, then read on……
Am I the right pet for you?
Degus make good pets for older children or adults. They are easy to look after, and with plenty of time and attention become very tame, being friendly and inquisitive. They are very intelligent and love to play and explore. They usually live for 6-8 years with the correct care, which means they are quite a long term commitment.
Do I like company?
Degus should be kept in same-sex pairs or groups – they thrive in this social situation. They tend to be happier and healthier when kept together, and this way they have a play mate and someone to snuggle up with to sleep! You should buy degus together if they are to live together, so they are already friends. It can be very hard to introduce them later in life.
Where do I like to live?
Degus are part of the rodent family and love to chew everything; it is therefore essential their cage is made of wire mesh to ensure it is escape proof. With a suitable top glass fish tanks can also be used. They need a lot of space because they can be very active, like to climb and need room to exercise. The cage should ideally have several levels or shelves as degus easily bound around the cage from level to level! Keep the cage in a place out of direct sunlight and damp spots, and away from anything which may cause rapid temperature fluctuations such as radiators or draughts. Degus do not like high temperatures, and therefore should not be kept in an overly warm room.
A large wooden nesting box full of hay should also be provided. This gives your degus somewhere to sleep and feel secure in. Clean branches cut from stone-less fruit trees, such as apple, and gnawing blocks can be added to add interest and act as a chew toy. Cuttlebone can also be added to chew on and provide calcium. Wooden and woven toys made from natural materials will also be appreciated - see our range of small animal toys!
What do I eat?
There are a few specific diets for degus but PAH guinea pig nuggets (not muesli) and chinchilla pellets are suitable. It is important to feed them what they are used to as this will prevent any stress a change of food may cause at the same time as a change of their surroundings. Good quality hay, such as Timothy hay, should always be available, as should fresh water in a sturdy bottle. There are also a selection of small animal treat sticks available in store which they may be given occasionally.
Vitamin supplements are useful to ensure your degu is in optimum health, and mineral treats can be popular.
Feeding bowls should be made of heavy earthenware or stainless steel to avoid them being tipped over. Uneaten food should be removed, bowls and bottles cleaned and refilled daily.
Enrichment
Your degus’ lives can be enriched by providing toys and stimulating natural behaviour, for example hiding treats around the cage keeps them amused and stimulates natural feeding. Providing branches, levels and tubes allows hidey-holes for food, as they would have in the wild. Degus also love to chew, so providing wooden blocks or toys is ideal. Regular playtime out of the cage is essential, but build it up slowly as they get used to you, and start to enjoy handling and playtime with you. Do not allow them out in kitchens and bathrooms, where there are many hazards. A small animal playpen may be useful. Many parrot toys are excellent for degus, especially if they are wooden and chewable! Keeping more than one degu together is also more natural, providing them with companionship. All of these ideas can make your degus really happy, by simulating a slightly more natural environment.
How to handle me
When you first get your degus home they should be introduced to their cage as soon as possible. After that they should be allowed to get used to their new surroundings for the first day or two with a minimum of interference. You should then start to develop a relationship with them by talking quietly so they get used to your voice. The next step is to introduce your hand into their home and perhaps offer a treat. Soon you can begin to gently pick them up. It is important to hold a degu firmly but gently, so that he feels secure. Hold him close to your chest, facing you, with one hand over his back and one hand supporting his bottom and holding the base of his tail gently but firmly. After that it is important that you handle him regularly to develop his confidence and maintain the relationship with you. Degus can be very wriggly, but soon learn that you are their friend, and may sit on you, and allow you to stroke them.
Keeping me clean
Degus are usually very clean creatures. Your degus’ cage and toys should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week using a pet safe disinfectant.
Keeping me fit and healthy
Given the correct care and attention degus are usually problem free. As with all animals the emphasis should be on maintaining clean and hygienic conditions and correct feeding regimes.
Like all rodents your degus’ teeth are constantly growing and it is important to provide him with wooden toys, mineral stones or treats to gnaw on or the teeth can become overgrown, requiring veterinary treatment.
Several times a week a dust bath filled with chinchilla sand should be placed in the cage so it may be used as a bath. This stimulates grooming, keeping the coat clean and shiny. Dust baths should be removed after about half an hour, to prevent them becoming soiled. Light grooming with a rabbit brush will help to build up their trust in you.
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Care Leaflet
Click here to download the degu care information leaflet: