Degu care
The essentials to ensure your degu remains in good health. Always seek veterinary advice if you are concerned about your pet.
Degus are clean and quiet pets. These shy rodents are more appropriate as a companion for adults, rather than children, as they can be tricky to handle.
They can live between 6 to 7 years and sleep in short intervals during the day but longer at night. These patterns can change over time however between diurnal, nocturnal and crepuscular. They are more active around dusk and dawn becoming incredibly energetic when scavenging for food and treats.
Being social animals, degus are not happy alone, pairing or same-sex groups should always be considered. Housing two same-sex degus from the same litter is the most common way to prevent upset, however, later bonding can be achieved.
Housing and bedding
Degus should always be housed indoors, especially with our UK climate! Degus like to live at temperatures between 18-21°C. Anything warmer than this can make them distressed and they’re prone to heatstroke this means their cage should not be placed near a window, direct sun or a radiator.
Degus are quite adventurous and love lots of room so will need plenty of space to explore and forage around in. A minimum cage size of 1m x 1m x 50cm will be suitable for a pair or small groups of degus, with shelves and different heights for them to explore as well as a nest box for them to sleep in during the day. Wooden boxes are ideal for these as degus like to nibble! The overall enclosure should be made from metal due to degus being able to chew through plastics.
Bedding materials such as shredded paper, towels and blankets should be used to bed the bottom of the cage as well as dust-extracted bedding. In nest areas and in baskets hay can also be used for bedding and a hammock can be added between levels.
Cleaning
Accommodation hygiene is very important not just to keep the space clean but also to not compromise the health of the degu. Whilst degus are quite hygienic daily checks (spot-cleans) should be done regularly with any spoiled bedding removed and replenished. A full clean of the accommodation should be carried out at least once a month, depending on cleanliness and should be done using a safe disinfectant spray and fresh bedding supplies.
Diet
Degus should be given a commercial degu food daily as a basis of their diet but should also be given regular hay, fruits, and veggies to help make sure they get all the vital nutrients they need. The dry mix can be either given in a ceramic bowl or scattered throughout the degu’s accommodation to help them express another natural behaviour of foraging. Degus will also need a constant supply of fresh water which should be provided in a free-access water bottle fixed to the tank and not in bowls as the degus will likely tip the over.
Below is a list of some of the suitable vegetables, fruits and herbs degus can consume and those you should avoid:
| Safe to eat weekly | Safe to eat monthly | Safe to eat occasionally |
| Butternut squash | Peas | Cabbage |
| Pumpkin | Carrots | Broccoli |
| Marigold flowers | Sweet Potato | Swede |
| Dried herbs | Apple | Green beans |
| Red and green peppers | Cucumber | Fresh grass |
| Radish | Cherry Tomato | Dandelions leaves |
| Spring onions | Sweet Corn | Fresh herbs |
| Beetroot | Cauliflower |
Did you know? Degus can become diabetic so their diet to be specially maintained!
Handling
Handling a degu should be done after you have gained the rodent’s trust and be carried out in a calm and safe environment.
The best method for handling degu is the scoop technique, place one hand under or around their chest area with your other hand lifting and supporting their hind legs. Hold the degu close to your body for security and always keep them upright to protect their delicate spine. After securing the degu you can then move to a seat or area where you can play or stroke them safely.
Basic health check
Health checking can be easily categorised into major areas, these areas are listed below for a degu with a description of what to look for to make sure they are healthy.
Breathing – Degu is breathing correctly with no discharge from nostrils.
Hair – Hair is glossy, and the tail is clean with no sign of faeces.
Eyes – Degu’s eyes are open all the way and clear with no signs of swelling or soreness.
Teeth – Teeth are the correct length/shape and colour.
Body form – Alert, no signs of lumps or injuries. Moving freely without any discomfort.
