Caring for degus

The degu is a small caviomorph rodent, native to Chile. They are closely related to both the Guinea pig and the chinchilla, and have become popular as pets in recent years. They are inquisitive, friendly animals and enjoy lots of interaction with people once tamed. They are entertaining to watch, and love to play and explore their environment.Degus usually live for six to eight years in captivity.

How many to keep?

Degus are easily bored and like lots of stimulation, so it's better to keep them in pairs or groups of up to six than to keep one alone. It's best to buy your pair or group of degus together so that they will already be used to each other and get along well, as introducing additional animals to an established group later on can be difficult.

Equipment

Degus need to be housed in a solid wire cage. They are prolific chewers, and so need to live in a well made enclosure without wooden components which they could gnaw through. It's important that their enclosure is made of sturdy thick wire rather than thin mesh, as they love to climb, and thin mesh can damage their paws.Their ideal cage should be relatively tall, with several levels to explore, and walkways and ladders in between to facilitate climbing. Degus need to live in a fairly consistent ambient temperature, so make sure that the cage is located away from direct sunlight, radiators and other heat sources, damp areas and draughts. They will need a nesting box in the cage to rest and sleep in, with soft hay for bedding. Gnawing blocks, cuttlebones and wooden toys will help to keep your degus entertained, and provide surfaces for gnawing in order to keep the growth of their teeth under control.Degus, like chinchillas, use a dust bath to clean their thick, dense fur, and so you will need to make provision for a dust bath dish and chinchilla dust for them to use.

Feeding

The best way to ensure your degu receives a balanced diet is to feed a complete food such as degu nuggets or pellets, which provide all of the essential nutrients your pet needs. Mineral treats and vitamin supplements are also recommended, in order to keep your degus in tip top health. Soft hay such as timothy hay should be readily available to satisfy their grazing requirements. Fresh fruit in small quantities can be fed as an occasional treat, but be careful not to feed treats high in sugar or treats containing honey, as these can lead to the development of diabetes in your degus. You'll need to ensure that the feeding bowl is relatively heavy and sturdy, so that it does not get knocked over in the midst of play. Any unfinished food should be disposed of and replaced daily. A sturdy water bottle should be attached to the side of the cage, with fresh clean water available at all times.

Handling and playtime

Degus are fun loving creatures to love to play! Kept in pairs or groups, they will entertain each other with the toys and equipment provided in the cage. It's important to add new toys, change the contents of the cage and rearrange the layout on a regular basis, in order to keep them engaged and active and to prevent boredom. Degus can move quickly when the urge takes them, so when you let your degus out of the cage for playtime, make sure that the room is secure and safe for them and with no means of escape. Degus will chew wiring and electrical cables in the home, so make sure that there is nothing chewable within their reach! You may want to invest in a small pet playpen for a change of scene and safe enclosed play outside of the cage. Also a runner ball can be a good way of keeping your pet busy and exercising them safely without fear of escape!When you first get your degus into their new home, do not rearrange the cage or handle them unduly for the first few days, in order to allow them time to acclimatise. Degus, like chinchillas, will come to recognise your voice (and associate it with playtime or food!) so you should talk to them regularly in order to get them used to your presence. When picking a degu up, move slowly to avoid startling them, and always handle them gently. Never pick a degu up by the tail- scoop them up under the stomach and support the weight of their body. Degus tend to be fairly fidgety and wriggly, and generally prefer to be out and running about than being held- although once they become comfortable and confident with you, they may enjoy flumping out on your lap after a play session.

Care

Degus tend to be fairly sturdy, healthy animals, and do not suffer particularly with illness. However, sugary foods can lead to diabetes, so you should always be mindful of your degu's diet and access to treats. Degus are also very clean animals, who tend to toilet in one specific area of the cage, and so a litter box can be provided to assist with easy clean ups. It is important that their cage and environment is kept clean at all times in order to keep them happy and to prevent potential health problems.

Time to shop

Here's a quick tick list to use to ensure that you have everything that your degu will need.

• Suitable sturdy cage
• A pet-safe disinfectant for cleaning the cage
• Nesting box
• Degu- suitable litter
• Degu food- nuggets or pellets
• A heavy, sturdy bowl for food
• A water bottle and bottle brush to clean it with
• A mineral stone
• Soft hay such as Timothy hay
• Vitamin supplement and probiotic supplement
• A dust bath
• Chinchilla dust
• Tubes, ladders and wooden toys
• Gnawing sticks, cuttlebones, wooden blocks and chews
• Suitable treats