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Do degus like to be held?
Degus do like to socialize with their owners. However, degus do not like to be held or cuddled. Allow your degu to come to you, and limit the amount of time you spend holding it.
Are degus cuddly?
Some degus will even groom their owner back by gently nibbling at their fingers. However, degus aren't what you would call a snuggly or cuddly pet. They don't like to be held and won't tolerate sitting still on their owner's lap.
Do degu bites hurt?
Ouch-Inducing Bites Take biting seriously, whether directed at humans or animals. Degus' elongated chompers are extremely pointy; they can cause physical harm.
What do I need to know before getting a degu?
What do I need to know about degus before I get them?They're more active during the day. ... They have a specific diet. ... Find a vet first! ... They're not quiet pets. ... Temperature is important. ... They need company. ... They can live a long time. ... They're really active and fun to watch.
What is the friendliest rodent pet?
The friendliest rodents are either gerbils or rats, while hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils are the most popular. We feel that gerbils as the best rodent pet for children. They don't smell, and they're small, playful, and fluffy. Gerbils are intelligent small pets that can be trained to do tricks.
Do degus like being stroked?
Degus like human interaction, but like most small pets, they don't enjoy being handled so you may need to manage your family's expectations and find other ways to enjoy your degu. They are highly active during the day and love to burrow, climb and gnaw.
Are degus smelly?
So, do Degus smell? They do, but while noticeable, their smell is innocuous, and they smell far less than other rodents such as Hamsters. Like with all animals that are kept in cages, any foul odors often depend on the cleanliness of the cage.
Why is my degu screaming?
Why does he do this? Degus will give an alarm vocalisation, known as the 'wheep' (a loud squeak) if they think a predator/threat is approaching to alert other degus (and you). If your degu feels insecure, he may run to a place that is covered where he feels more secure until the threat has passed.
What food can degus eat?
A balanced diet for degus Here's what they'll need to eat: Good-quality hay - degus should have constant access as hay is much more important than commercial degu nuggets and should make up the majority of their diet. Nuggets and leafy veg - degus can be given a small measured portion as part of their daily diet.
What's better chinchilla or degu?
Behaviourally, chinchillas are shyer, more reserved, and less keen to be handled. Chinchillas are also active at night, whereas degus are active during the day. Chinchillas typically live twice as long as degus.
How often should you clean a degu cage?
For a single degu in a cage, cage bedding should be spot-cleaned daily and fully replaced weekly. If more than one degu is housed in a cage, it may need more frequent cleaning.
How long do degus live for?
5 – 9 yearsCommon degu / Lifespan (In captivity)
What's better chinchilla or degu?
Behaviourally, chinchillas are shyer, more reserved, and less keen to be handled. Chinchillas are also active at night, whereas degus are active during the day. Chinchillas typically live twice as long as degus.
Do degus smell?
So, do Degus smell? They do, but while noticeable, their smell is innocuous, and they smell far less than other rodents such as Hamsters. Like with all animals that are kept in cages, any foul odors often depend on the cleanliness of the cage.
How often do degus need a dust bath?
weeklyIf they are kept in a room above 72-74 degrees, they can get heatstroke and die. Your degus needs weekly dust baths to keep their fur in good shape.
What food must degus avoid?
What should I avoid feeding my degus?Food containing molasses.Rabbit food (often contains wrong nutrients and sometimes has ingredients toxic to degus)Fruit (the occasional bit of apple is OK but anything else should be avoided)Sweet potato skins.Hamster and gerbil foods (too high in protein for degus)More items...
What is a Degu?
A degu is a burrowing rodent that is native to Chile in South America. These highly social animals usually live in communities of up to 100 when out in the wild and are typically very active during the daytime.
What do Degus Eat?
Degus typically eat a diet that is low in carbs and high in roughage. The proper diet for de gus should include some guinea pig pellets, good quality chinchilla, and a rodent block. You should also ensure that their cage is well stocked up on fresh vegetables, raw peeled potatoes, leafy greens, and green beans.
How Easy is It to Handle Degus?
These rodents are typically easier to tame when they are still young. Handling them daily will help to strengthen your bond with them. Failure to do so might make them wild and a lot harder to handle.
Are Degus Safe for Kids?
Degus are naturally very curious and friendly animals with the capacity to bond very well with their owners. If you have kids, it is always a good idea to ensure that the pet you keep is child-friendly.
How big should a degus cage be?
A typical cage for housing a pair of Degus should be at least 28 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 40 inches high. While this is a larger cage than the ones used for other rodents, it should still be able to fit well in an apartment.
Why should you supervise your kids when they pet a degus?
You should always supervise your kids when they pet or handle degus to prevent agitation which could make the creature aggressive.
How big is a degu?
An adult degu usually weighs between 6 to 10 ounces and between 5 to 7 inches long.
Do Degus Make Good Pets?
Not every animal is the right fit for every family. That being said, if you want to try your hand at a more exotic pet, degus are a great place to start. They are a little more complicated than your average hamster, but not too much. And if you have older children, they can make a great pet to teach about responsibility.
How to care for a degu?
Degus are a very active creature. They love to play with each other and with toys. Having a larger cage than recommended is important because they are so busy. In the cage, they should also have a 12-inch wheel. Your degus will love to run on this thing all day and night, so you might want to invest in a quiet one. And once your degus are tamed and comfortable with you, they can have out of cage time. You can buy playpens and add new toys and tunnels for more exercise. But if your degus never become that tame, don’t worry, it’s not required as long as they have what they need.
How big should a degu cage be?
For a pair of degus, you will need to have a metal cage that is at least 36 inches wide and 18 inches deep. But a bigger cage is always better. Your degu cage should also have bar spacing 1/2 inch or less to prevent escaping. And having multiple hammocks, shelves, and nesting boxes will make them feel cozy and at home. Your degus will also love to have chew sticks and tunnels available for play.
What colors do degus come in?
They can come in beautiful browns, creams, blacks, whites, and even “lilac.” Some morphs cost more than others. But they are so beautiful that you can’t help but want them.
How long do degus live?
The average degu has a lifespan of 5-8 years. With proper care and dedication, some owners have even reported that their degus live as long as 11. That is a long time to spend with your furry friend, and we couldn’t be more grateful for it.
How much does a degu cost?
For an exotic pet, degus are relatively inexpensive. When buying degus from a breeder, the average cost is $35 but can be as much as $100. Of course, this doesn’t include the cage and all the basic necessities. But it is still a lot cheaper than some other pocket pets that can be over $300 apiece.
What to use for a degus cage?
In the bottom of the cage, there are a few things you can use as bedding to make it soft. Some familiar favorites are fleece, hemp mats, and shredded recycled paper. Just be sure that if you use fleece or mats that you also give your degus some material to nest in. The most crucial thing to remember is not to use wood shavings for bedding. Wood is known to be dusty and harbor bacteria that can make your degus sick.
What Is A Degu Pet Like?
Degus are incredibly social creatures. They live in small, tightly-knit groups of up to 5-10 that together make up colonies of up to 100 members.
How to keep a degu active?
Allowing somewhere for your Degu to dig within the cage with some twigs scattered about can be a real way to keep your Degus active and busy. You could even help satiate their curious nature by burying and hiding food within the cage, giving them a reward for exploring.
What to give a degu?
Giving your Degu ample things to chew within the cage such as branches and rope is a good idea. They will also require daily sand baths, to remove grit and dirt from their fur. Handling Degus is important to bond with them, but there are a few important rules to do this safely.
What happens if a Degu is raised poorly?
If a Degu has been raised poorly it may lead to increased wariness around humans and stress behaviors.
How big is a degu?
What Is A Degu’s Appearance? The common Degu body is around 25-31 cm long, with a moderately long tail. They are very light, weighing in at around 170-300 grams depending on their size. Degus have soft fur, but there are really only a a few degu colors. Degus are generally yellow-brown in color.
What is the best home for a Degu?
The best home for a Degu would have enough room for a sizeable cage, with other Degu friends and a few gentle humans to bond with.
What color are degus?
Degus are generally yellow-brown in color. However, the underbelly is a much paler color, usually looking like a creamy yellow. A healthy Degu’s teeth will be yellow to orange in color, with their cheek teeth resembling a figure eight. This characteristic is where their genetic family name, Octodontidae, stems from.
Are Degus Good Pets?
Degus make good pets when they’re cherished by the right person! Like most rodents, a Degu requires minimal effort to be cared for, which is always helpful for any pet owner.
Do Degus Like to Be Held?
Degus only like to be held when they’ve been regularly handled while they’re young; otherwise- they’re known for not enjoying being held.
Do Degu Bites Hurt?
If you’re ever bitten by a Degu, you’ll be happy to know that their bites don’t hurt nor cause any significant damage to your skin.
What is the Lifespan of a Degu?
The average lifespan of a Degu is 6 – 8 years in captivity and 1 – 4 years in the wild.
Do Degus Need Dust Baths?
When in the wild, Degus go through multiple dust baths per week to keep themselves clean. While in captivity, it’s imperative you continue to provide these dust baths for them so they can continue their hygiene routine with ease.
What Can a Degu Eat?
The primary food source in a Degus diet is good quality hay, as it provides natural resources that benefit their digestive system.
What Food Must Degus Avoid?
You must ensure to avoid feeding your Degu sugary foods at all costs. Avoid giving your Degu other rodent food, high protein, or vegetable skin (like sweet potato).
Is a Degu a Good Pet for You?
Now that you know what a degu is, you probably want to know if it’s a perfect pet for you. This is not an easy question to answer because it depends on a lot of different factors, which I’ll try to cover.
How big is a degu cage?
To give you an idea of the space you need; a degu cage for a pair of degus will need to have at least the following measurements: 28 inches (70 centimeters) wide. 18 inches (45 centimeters) deep. 40 inches (100 centimeters) high.
What are degus prey?
As is the case with other rodents, degus are prey animals. Their primary predators are culpeo foxes and birds of prey like owls and eagles. These little animals are very social and have a system to detect predators fast and communicate this through alarm calls to the rest of the group.
What happens if a degu gets scared?
If your degu gets frightened it will try to escape (and might fall) or – if there’s no other option – will bite. An escaped degu can be really difficult to catch because it’s tiny and fast. A bite, on the other hand, will be a terrible experience for both your child as your pet.
How many degus are there in the wild?
Degus are very social creatures that live in groups that can consist of up to 100 individuals. In the wild, the density is around 100 degus per acre. Because of their large numbers, degus are considered pests for agriculture in some regions and they’re even illegal as pets in some regions.
How many people are in a Degus group?
Social behavior. Degus are social animals that live in groups. The average group consists of one to two males and two to five females. A group will stay in a territory of roughly 200 square meters. Degus live in a hierarchic structure that’s based on dominance.
What animal looks like a squirrel?
Kavaleuskaya Aksana/Shutterstock.com. As you can see, the degu is an animal that looks a little bit like a squirrel or mouse with large ears and a tufted tail. They’re often physically compared to gerbils, being larger than these rodents.
