Degus are considered exotic pets and are not common in a typical household but there are many reasons why some people choose degus. So, how do you take care of a degu if you are new to these pets?
Degus are interactive, adaptable animals that can make excellent pets and are relatively easy to maintain. A degu needs attention and benefits from a company of their kind, so it is best to keep degus in pairs. If you plan to purchase rather than adopt degus, make sure that it is legal to buy and own degus in your state or country.
Degus In Their Natural Environment
In their natural environment, Octodon degus live in the semi-arid shrubland of Chile, in the lower Andes. They eat leaves, shrubs, and seeds. Unlike, most rodents, degus are diurnal, although they are still most active in the morning and evening.
Degus live in small groups of five to seven animals, usually one or two males and several females. Males are very aggressive during the mating season, defending their territory.
Degus love dust baths, and, interestingly, they mark their dust-bathing sites with their secretions. So, the same animals use certain sites.
There is currently no concern about the population numbers of the species in their natural environment in South America, so degus are not considered a threatened species.
Basic Information About Degus
| Size: 10-12 in / 25-31cm |
| Weight: 6-10 oz / 0.2-0.3 kg |
| Life span: 5-7 years |
| Shedding: degus shed small amounts of hair throughout and can shed heavily in spring. Some patchiness is normal during the heavy shedding season. |
| Grooming: degus need regular dust baths. They do not require regular water baths unless they get really dirty. Their eyes may need to be cleaned. Degus do not need brushing but some pets enjoy being brushed. |
| Habitat maintenance: fully clean the cage every month, and spot clean daily. |
| Diet: rodent pellets; vegetables high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, grass and hay, occasional sunflower seeds and nuts for treats, and plenty of water at all times. |
| Hypoallergenic?: No |
Setting Up Degu’s Habitat
The ideal temperature for degus is 18-24°C/ 65-75°F and not higher than 27°C/ 80°F to avoid heatstroke.
Get a large, multi-level cage for your degus. Like rats and chinchillas, degus are inquisitive and very active, so they appreciate a habitat where they can move around and explore.
The cage should have solid floors. Avoid getting any cage that has plastic floors or bars, because your degu will chew through them.
Paper-based, ideally commercial non-toxic paper bedding, is essential to cover the floor. Avoid using wood-based bedding. Many degus learn to use a litter box, which makes cleaning easier. In general, however, spot clean the cage daily and change the entire bedding about once a week.
Degus like to hide and burrow when they need rest. Place a box with a “roof” with some bedding in it inside the cage. You could use a cardboard box and put it on its side or a wooden box – something to allow your pet to feel contained and secure.
Degus should have an exercise wheel. They also need toys, including wooden toys for chewing.
Grooming Degu
You need to provide your degu with dust for bathing at least twice a week. You can purchase special dust for rodents and place a large heavy bowl with the dust in the cage for your degu to roll around. After about an hour, remove the bowl with the dust and keep it till next time.
There is no need to bathe degus in water.
You might need to clean a degu’s eyes and occasionally trim their nails. Some people prefer a veterinarian professional to take care of this task.
What Do Degus Eat?
High-fiber, low-carb food is the core of Degus’ diet. Options include:
- pellets for rodent pets
- plenty of grass and hay, for example, Timothy or Orchard grass and hay
- vegetables high in fiber, including lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, and celery
- occasionally sunflower seeds and nuts for treats but avoid giving those often
- plenty of water at all times
Watermelons and other sweet fruits are not ideal regularly but are okay as an occasional treat, although some degus will not eat them.
Degus need to nibble to maintain dental health, so be sure to provide foods your degu could nibble continuously. Hay is an excellent choice because it provides fiber and allows to wear down rodent teeth which grow continuously.
Personality And Temperament of a Degu
Degus are active, bright, and curious animals. They need a good selection of toys to play with, and a multi-level cage to explore.
In addition, these pets do benefit from leaving their cage now and then. However, make sure the room is safe and supervise your degus because these sneaky animals tend to burrow and hide. Make sure there are no cords or wires that your degu could inadvertently chew through.
Most degus love being held but avoid holding your pet tightly or near the tail – a degu might slip-shed instinctively. It is an adaptation they use in nature to escape the grip of a predator.
Degu’s Sleep Pattern
Degus are diurnal (active during the day) but they are often categorized as crepuscular because they are indeed most active in the morning and evening. They spend a few hours asleep at night, and sleep or at least stay less active for a part of the day.
Degus adapt better to their household’s schedule than most other rodent pets.
Can a Degu Live Alone?
A solo degu might do okay but the species in general is a sociable and interactive one. Your degu will be happier if he or she has the company of a fellow degu. Neuter the male if he lives with a female to prevent reproduction.
Can Degus Live with Other Rodent Pets?
Avoid keeping a degu with a rodent of another species in the same cage. Chinchillas and guinea pigs, in particular, may seem like peaceful neighbors for a degu but the animals do not share the same habitat. Bunnies also need to be kept separately.
Keeping animals of different species in the same cage may lead to stress and fighting. The animals might also expose each other to various illnesses.
Do Degus Do Well with Cats And Dogs?
Cats and dogs need supervision around degus, even if they grew up together from a young age. Some dogs, in particular, have a strong prey drive and could harm a degu by accident.
In most cases, the animals that were raised together do coexist peacefully but it is best to stay vigilant.
Are Degus Good Pets for Children?
Degus make great pets for school-age kids, including young ones. However, any child who is not able to handle the animal with appropriate consideration would need close supervision for everyone’s safety. Even most patient pets could nip if cornered and frightened.
As for children younger than 5 years old, the CDC does not recommend rodent pets for households with kids that are that young. If someone in your family has a weakened immune system, you should also avoid having a rodent pet. You are welcome to familiarize yourself with the recommendations from the CDC on their website.
Are Degus Good Beginner Pets?
Degus are good pets for novice pet owners but there are plenty of considerations to be mindful of.
Once you get into the routine of taking care of degus, they are relatively easy to maintain.
However, it is still important to do your research and understand that rodent pets still need plenty of attention, although they don’t need as much involvement as dogs, for instance. There are still maintenance tasks that need to be done weekly, such as cleaning the cage.
Many new owners are disillusioned if their degu is not cuddly, or as interactive as they hoped. Some people dislike dealing with their degu’s dust baths.
Degus are good starter pets because the initial cost is reasonable, once you already have the cage and some other basic, such as toys and bedding. Regular maintenance costs include food and bedding and they are relatively low.
Degus are healthy but, of course, if there is a health concern, veterinarian bills can be unpredictable.
Common Health Issues
Degus are hardy animals and they live up to 7 years with proper care. Several health issues are rather common for these animals:
- Diabetes: degus do not metabolize sugars well and are prone to diabetes; proper diet reduces the incidence of diabetes
- Dental problems: if a degus does not nibble sufficiently and its teeth are overgrown, dental abscesses, and dental trimming may be necessary.
- Cataracts: rodents with diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes and other eye problems
It is important to find a veterinarian who is comfortable with seeing your degu for annual visits and evaluating the animal as needed. A veterinarian could help with such issues as overgrown nails, too. Trimming nails could be needed sometimes.
Degus do not need vaccinations.
Male degus would need to be neutered if he lives with a female degu, otherwise, your pets will have plenty of babies.
Can Degus Be Toilet Trained?
As odd as it sounds, degus can be potty trained. They can use a litter box just like cats.
Keep their litter box in a corner far from their food and water. When your pets void somewhere in the cage, put the soiled bedding in the litter box. Over time, degus learn to use the litter box appropriately.
Do Degus Bite?
Degus do not usually bite. They are patient and do well with being handled, so they are not as prone to reactive behaviors as hamsters, for example. Any animal can behave in uncharacteristic ways under stress, so a degu could still bite as a response to fear.
Degus are known to gently nibble on the owner’s hands sometimes but that is one of the ways they express being comfortable and fond of the owner.
Why Do Degus Squeak?
Squeaking is one of the main ways degus communicate, and sometimes you have to consider the context to understand why your degu is squeaking.
Degus squeak when you hold them, which could be a sign that your pet is happy and enjoys exploring and bonding.
Degus may also squeak when fearful of something or expressing dominance, especially during the period of mating.
If your degu shows other changes, such as reduced food and water intake, changes to the fur, and increased restlessness, squeaking could be a red flag for you. Observe your pet for any signs of illness. If the animal is not eating and vocalizes a lot, consider taking him or her to a veterinarian for a check-up.
Are Degus Legal In Your State Or Country?
Degus are considered invasive species in many natural habitats and environments, which is the common reason these animals are not allowed in many areas.
Some states within the U.S. do not permit owning degus at all. Some allow adopted animals but do not permit purchasing them from stores or breeders. Some places require special certification to own a degu.
If you are not certain if your state permits either degus, you are welcome to check the lists and limitations for different exotic animals on FindLaw website. It lists the information about different species of animals by state. The website only addresses owning these animals within the U.S.
Where Can I Get A Degu?
Many degu owners welcome their furry rodent friends from rescue facilities. Most states that do not permit having degus do allow animals that are rescued rather than bought.
If you live in a state or country where owning a degu is permitted, then you can usually purchase one from a pet store or a breeder. Most chain pet stores do not sell degus, so you might need to find a specialized exotic pet store.
If you are interested in finding a degu to adopt online, the AdoptaPet website is a great place to start.
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