Owning a degu as a pet can be both fun and challenging. Many people believe they are difficult to care for, but provided you do your research, degus can make wonderful pets.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about degus!
- DEGUS ARE CLEAN ANIMALS
Unlike some caged pets, degus like to keep themselves clean. You can help your degus to stay clean by providing them with a sand bath. Simply fill a shallow bowl with chinchilla or degu sand, about 4cm deep.
The bowl should be big enough for them to lie down and roll in. Place the sand bath in your degu’s cage two or three times per week for 15-20 minutes. Remember to clean it once a week as some degus like to use their sand bath as a bathroom!
- DEGUS LOVE COMPANY
Degus are very social and should not be kept alone unless advised by a veterinarian due to health reasons. In the wild, degus live in groups and a single degu can quickly become stressed without company. They will snuggle together to sleep and groom each other’s fur.
To prevent unwanted pregnancy, keep same-sex pairs or groups. Never keep more than one male with females as they will fight, which can cause serious injury.
- DIET IS KEY
A degu’s diet must be carefully managed as they cannot regulate their blood sugar levels quite as well as other animals. They can also be quite greedy, so portion control is important.
A degu must have access to hay as the bulk of their diet, which provides plenty of fibre. Chinchilla or degu pellets are also good options, but ensure they do not contain molasses.
Adding fresh veggies like leafy greens will give your degus a treat, as well as other key nutrients to keep them healthy. Always keep fresh water in the cage and refresh it daily.
- DEGUS EAT DUNG
This one may seem a little out there and quite disturbing, but degus will eat their own droppings to take in any nutrients that may have been lost during digestion. This is normal behaviour and nothing for you to worry about.
- THEIR TEETH GROW CONSTANTLY
Like other rodents, degus grow their teeth continuously. To prevent overgrown teeth, you must provide your degus with plenty of items to gnaw on or chew. This could be cardboard boxes, gnaw treats, or rodent toys.
Degu teeth are naturally yellow in colour. If your degus have white teeth, this could be a sign that they are not feeling quite right. See your vet if you notice a change in your degu’s teeth.
- THEY DON’T LIKE LIVING LOW
As degus are prey animals, they do not like being on the ground. This means finding a suitable raised place to keep their cage. The best option is a sturdy table or desk, roughly waist height.
Choose a cage that has a secure, solid roof to help your degus feel safe and protected. It can be stressful if things are constantly passing over the top of their cage, as this can mimic the same behaviour as birds of prey.
- DEGUS LOVE TO PLAY
You should provide plenty of enrichment items for your degus to keep them entertained. A bored degu is an unhappy degu! Give them time out of the cage in a secure room with all electrical wires out of reach.
Give them cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes, tunnels, and running wheels to play with. They will enjoy having an open space to run around in as well as toys to play with.
Ensure there are at least 2 hiding spots while your degus are having playtime out of the cage. This could be a simple small box or the hides from their cage.
- DEGUS ARE NOT NOCTURNAL
Many people assume that degus are active at night, but this is a myth. Degus are most active during the day and prefer their environment to be dark during the night.
To prevent your degus from getting stressed or confused, you should turn the lights out at the same time every evening. During summer when the days are longer, you can close the curtains or blinds to block light from entering the room.
Do not cover the cage as they need a well-ventilated area. Degus are prone to respiratory issues and covering the cage reduces airflow.
- DEGUS NEED A LOT OF HOUSEWORK
They may like to keep themselves clean, but degus are messy eaters and they toilet a lot. You should do a spot check daily to clean any toilet and food areas. A more thorough cleaning should be done once per month.
You will need to remove everything from the cage, spray it with a rodent-safe disinfectant then wipe the cage down to remove any excess liquid. Check the cage for signs of chewing or cracking to ensure they cannot escape or injury themselves. You can then place fresh bedding into the cage and replace any hides, food, and gnaws.
- DEGUS LOVE BEING HANDLED
If you take the time to settle your degus in gently and slowly, they can quickly become accustomed to being stroked and handled. Encourage your degu to step on your hand for a treat and gradually progress to picking them up.
Never pick your degu up from above as this is how predators would catch them in the wild. Degus love cuddling, so they will enjoy spending time snuggling on your lap or napping in the crook of your elbow.
Do not pick your degu up by its tail as this can cause pain and injury. It can also be very stressful and make them avoid human contact.
So there you have it, 10 fascinating facts about degus to help you provide the best home for your pets. Remember to keep an eye on their diet and their teeth so you don’t end up with an unexpected vet bill!