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Housing
Degus enjoy large, multi-tiered cages, so they can jump and climb.
The larger the cage, the happier your degus will be. Placing
branches in their cage will be much appreciated, as they love to
climb. Degus should not be housed in aquariums, as they do not
allow for proper air circulation or climbing. A degu cage should be
made of metal mesh, with a plastic bottom. They should not be
housed on a metal bottom, as their feet are quite sensitive. Make
sure your cage has a tightly closing lid, as they can jump quite
high.
WARNING:
Degus can not tolerate high
temperatures. Never leave their cage in the direct sun. While
they do better tolerating cold than heat, they should not be housed
near a draft. Keep their cage in a spot where you will be
frequently.
Bedding
Pine or cedar
shavings should not be used, as the phenols in them can cause severe
respiratory problems. Degus can be bedded on aspen shavings, Care
fresh bedding, hay and shredded paper. A thick layer of
bedding is recommended, as degus enjoy digging and nest building.
You can give them organic twigs for their nest building as well.
Degus can have dust baths
2-3 times a week, using chinchilla dust.
Cage Accessories/Toys
Hidey-houses are great for degus, they will retreat there to sleep,
or if they are feeling threatened. A large, rat-sized exercise wheel
is essential for a degu. The degu will rely on the wheel for
exercise. Two degus will enjoy running on a wheel together,
side-by-side. A solid metal or plastic wheel is recommended, as wire
wheels can hurt the degus feet or damage their tails.
Bonding
Degus should not be
housed alone. Step one for bonding is to make sure you are starting
with two degus of the same sex! If you have never sexed degus
before, please have a qualified veterinary do it for you, as it can
often be difficult to determine the correct gender! Once you have
determined that your degus are of the same gender, house them side
by side to ‘get to know’ each other. You may switch them around, so
they are housed in opposite cages. When you introduce them to each
other, do it in neutral
territory, not in one cage. Place
both cages on the ground and have both doors open so they are able
to run in and out of their cages. In nature, the weaker degu will
run away. If you place them both in the same cage right away, the
weaker one will not have anywhere to run to, and could get badly
injured. Some small fights are normal as they determine who is
going to be the ‘boss’ or dominant one, but if fighting persists or
if you are concerned they are harming each other separate them right
away. Bonding may take time, so be prepared to allow many short
bonding sessions.
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Nutrition
A
poor diet for your degus can cause them to be overweight, have
patchy fur, liver disease, or other serious health problems.
Providing an appropriate diet is the most important thing you can do
for their health.
Degus are
herbivores and can lack the ability to digest sugar, so do not feed your degu
any fruit of foods high in sugar or they can become diabetic. They can be fed a
mix of chinchilla and guinea pig pellets, or a pellet designed specifically for
degus. They should always have access to fresh hay which aids in their
digestion, and may also be used for nesting. Their diet can be supplemented
with a small amount of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, broccoli and
dandelions. Plain corn kernels, plain sunflower seeds, or a nut in the
shell may be used as treats. Too many sunflower seeds, or other foods high in
fat can lead to liver problems, so use them sparingly!
Degus are susceptible
to mouth diseases. For this reason, degus should receive fresh
water EVERY day. Whether bottles or bowls are used, the water
receptacles must be clean to avoid bacteria growth that will make
the degu sick. If possible, give your degus bottled or filtered
water. Degus love to chew. Dried, untreated apple or willow
branches are safe for them to chew on, and are essential for wearing
down their teeth. Organic willow and apple branches are available
in the Rabbit Rescue shop section.
Further Reading
Degus, A Complete Pet
Owner’s Manual. By Sharon Vanderlip, D.V.M.
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