Degus, fascinating rodents related to chinchillas and guinea pigs, originate from the grasslands of Chile, where they construct intricate underground burrows in large, social communities. While their appearance is comparable to an oversized gerbil, with a brown, furry body and a distinctive long, thin tail tipped with black fur, their personality and needs set them apart. This guide delves into the essential aspects of Degu Care, from their unique behaviors and habitat requirements to their specific dietary needs and potential health concerns, providing prospective and current owners with the knowledge to ensure a thriving relationship with these intelligent creatures.
Understanding Degu Appearance and Behavior
Weighing between half a pound to a pound and measuring 10-12 inches from nose to tail, degus possess round, squat bodies. Their adaptability extends to their activity patterns; they can thrive with either nocturnal or diurnal sleeping schedules. Notably, degus are remarkably intelligent and have a predisposition to developing medical conditions such as diabetes, separation anxiety, and Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, making them valuable models in scientific research. Although their popularity as pets has grown in recent decades, it’s crucial to be aware that some regions, including California, Alaska, and Georgia, as well as parts of Canada, prohibit degu ownership due to their classification as invasive species. Always verify local regulations before acquiring a degu.
Degu Activity Levels and Social Personality
Unlike many nocturnal rodents, degus are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night, making them more compatible as household pets. With proper care and nutrition, pet degus typically live for 6-9 years. Their exceptional vision, including the ability to perceive ultraviolet light, is an adaptation likely linked to social signaling in the wild, as their urine and belly fur reflect UV light.
Degus are highly social and energetic animals, forming strong bonds with both their owners and fellow degus. They are capable of recognizing individuals by sight and sound, often exhibiting excitement by standing on their hind legs when their owners approach, signaling a desire for interaction. Their complex communication system involves over a dozen sounds, learned from their parents during development, used to express various moods through chattering, squeaking, and warbling noises.
While many degus thrive in social groups, housing males together, especially in the presence of a female, can lead to aggression. The ideal scenario for housing multiple degus is to introduce them at a young age. If this isn’t possible, a gradual introduction process is recommended: begin with separate cages placed side-by-side, followed by short, supervised interaction periods. Only when they demonstrate peaceful coexistence should they be housed together.
To foster tameness and comfort, daily handling, combined with offering small treats, is essential to prevent nipping. It is critical to avoid picking up a degu by its tail, as the skin and tail tuft are designed to detach easily, aiding escape from predators in the wild. Tail shedding can lead to injury, infection, and self-mutilation. Safe handling involves supporting the degu with one hand over its back, behind the front legs, and the other under its hindquarters, keeping it close to your body to prevent the insecurity of dangling legs. Due to their potential to bite and the risk of tail injury, degus are not recommended for households with very young children. However, they can be excellent pets for older children under adult supervision. As prey animals, degus can coexist with household pets like cats and dogs, provided the predatory animals are kept away from the degus and never left unsupervised in their vicinity. It is also imperative to avoid housing degus with other rodent species (hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs) or small mammals like rabbits, as these animals can transmit diseases and may engage in territorial disputes.
Creating the Ideal Degu Habitat: Cages and Enrichment
Given that degus have continuously growing teeth, providing them with safe chewing outlets is paramount. Their cages must be constructed from materials they cannot easily chew through. Larger cages are always preferable. Multi-level metal cages designed for chinchillas or pet rats are generally suitable.
Different cage levels cater to a degu’s natural inclination to climb and explore. Wire mesh cages offer good ventilation and should feature solid-bottomed floors and ramps to prevent small toes from getting caught. Plastic-bottomed tanks are unsuitable as degus can chew through them. Inside the cage, a nest box—such as an upside-down wooden or cardboard box, or a heavy ceramic flower pot placed on its side—allows degus to hide and burrow, fulfilling their need for security.
The cage should be lined with paper-based bedding to protect their feet from pressure sores. An exercise wheel is essential for their physical activity. Commercially available paper bedding or shredded recycled paper is ideal due to its non-toxicity and digestibility if ingested. Wood bedding, conversely, is indigestible and can contain irritating oils. For a single degu, daily spot-cleaning and weekly full bedding changes are recommended. Cages housing multiple degus may require more frequent cleaning.
Degus also require wooden toys for gnawing to maintain their dental health. Dust baths, offered two to three times a week for about 30 minutes each session, are crucial for keeping their fur shiny and free from greasiness. Chinchilla-specific dust, provided in a heavy ceramic crock, is suitable. Degus enjoy rolling in the dust to clean their coats. The dust should be removed between baths to prevent soiling.
Degus prefer ambient temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). As they cannot sweat, they are susceptible to overheating in temperatures approaching 80°F (27°C).
Daily supervised out-of-cage time for exercise is vital. Degus are curious, adventurous, and quick, and without supervision, they can cause damage by chewing on electrical wires, baseboards, and other accessible items. They should only be allowed to roam in a “degu-proofed” room, free from hazards like loose wires or small spaces where they could become trapped.
Degu Diet: Nourishing Your Herbivorous Friend
As herbivores, degus naturally consume leaves and shrubs. Their gastrointestinal systems are adapted to high-fiber grasses and are intolerant to sugar. Ingestion of excessive sugar can lead to diabetes, a condition for which they are used as research models. Consequently, pet degus should not be fed sugary treats. Instead, their diet should consist of commercially available rodent pellets or blocks (those formulated for rats are often suitable), supplemented with leafy greens like dark lettuces and dandelion greens, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots. Unlimited access to grass hay, such as Timothy or Orchard grass, is essential. Alfalfa hay should be offered sparingly due to its high protein and calorie content, which can contribute to obesity.
Hay serves a dual purpose: it provides necessary fiber for digestive health and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth through chewing. Food should be served twice daily in heavy, non-tippable bowls.
Beyond sugary foods like fruits or treats containing molasses or honey, high-fat seeds and nuts should also be avoided or offered only as occasional treats. Fresh water must be available daily in a sipper bottle, and food dishes should be cleaned thoroughly with hot, soapy water each day.
Common Degu Health Concerns and Veterinary Care
When provided with proper care and nutrition, degus are generally hardy rodents. They do not require supplemental vitamins or minerals, nor do they need vaccinations. To maintain their health, all newly acquired degus should undergo a comprehensive physical examination by a veterinarian experienced with this species. Annual check-ups are recommended, and a veterinarian should be consulted immediately if any signs of illness appear, including lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, or weakness. Periodic grooming, such as nail trimming every few months, may be necessary, either at home or by a veterinarian if the owner is uncomfortable performing the task.
Despite their general hardiness, degus are prone to certain conditions, most notably diabetes, due to their sensitivity to dietary sugars. Diabetes can also lead to cataracts, characterized by milky, hazy lenses in the eyes. Young degus may develop cataracts due to a congenital eye defect unrelated to diabetes. Regardless of the cause, any degu with cataracts should be screened for diabetes.
Their continuously growing teeth can also lead to dental problems, including overgrown or impacted teeth, infections, and abscesses. Signs of dental disease include excessive salivation, difficulty eating (food dropping from the mouth), reduced or absent appetite, and weight loss. Early veterinary diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Overgrown teeth may require trimming, while dental abscesses might necessitate surgery, antibiotics, and pain relief. Diabetes, however, can be challenging to manage and may result in fatal complications like kidney failure.
Diarrhea can occur if degus consume excessive greens without sufficient fiber (hay). Dietary adjustments often resolve this issue, but if symptoms persist, veterinary attention is required to prevent dehydration.
Occasionally, degus may contract respiratory infections caused by bacteria and viruses, leading to symptoms like runny noses, wheezing, and difficulty breathing due to pneumonia. Degus exhibiting these signs should be seen by a veterinarian promptly.
If a male and female degu are to be housed together, it is advisable to neuter the male. Degus reach sexual maturity around six months of age, and females can give birth to litters of 1-12 pups after a 90-day gestation period. Females can become pregnant again immediately after giving birth. To prevent unintended litters, a veterinarian experienced with degu care should neuter males, or males and females should be housed separately.
Acquiring a Degu: Where to Find Your New Companion
Degus are often available for adoption from rescue facilities, where they may end up when owners, initially charmed by the novelty but unprepared for the care requirements, relinquish them. Degus are also sold in pet stores in states where their ownership is legal. Prospective owners should consult with a veterinarian knowledgeable about degu care before purchasing or adopting a degu to fully understand the responsibilities involved.
Potential owners must carefully consider whether they have the adequate space, time, and resources to provide for these endearing rodents, ensuring a harmonious and fulfilling relationship for both the degu and its human companion.
