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Having the right Equipment

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» Adapted habitat, like an aviary

Vivariums are not recommended because they are poorly ventilated for their needs, but especially they greatly limit their ability to climb. A tiered cage with fairly narrow bars is preferred. A Critter Nation is the number one choice for them and have the advantage of having the opportunity to add another floor at will.

 

A MINIMUM of 50cm long x 60cm wide x 100cm high is recommended for two individuals, but you should always aim for bigger ones, especially if they do not go out often. Do not forget to put several levels and platforms.

» Food

There, you will have to pay close attention to the ingredients of the food that you will offer to your degus. They are naturally diabetic. We must therefore avoid foods with sweet ingredients (especially molasses cane). In Quebec, most foods offered to Chinchillas can be enjoyed by degus, but you should supplement with fresh vegetables, herbs or plants a few times a week, while offering timothy hay (Timothy hay) all the time. If you offer fruit, do it very rarely, since they contain a natural sugar.

» Dustbath

Avoid wetting the fur of your degus because although less dense than chinchillas, it can cause significant health problems. The degus are clean about themselves and their immediate environment, but also need a sand bath several times a week. You can take either chinchilla sand or dust, the latter often having a better effect. If you leave the bath in the cage, they may dig in and put it everywhere, and use it as litterbox and poop in it.

» Toys and Hideouts

Never forget that Degus are rodents, you should always think of this detail when you offer them toys. You can offer them wooden bridges, ceramic or terracotta bowls. Make sure they can not swallow pieces (small wicker balls can be dangerous). Hammocks are also very popular. However, be careful to take them in fleece (which can be chewed without risk of injury) and avoid anything that can be fibrous.

» Bedding and/or fleece covers

Try to provide a space to put between 2 and 5cm of litter to allow your degus to dig a little. You can take a litter of chips (like aspen, avoid coniferous litter because of phenol!) Or paper (kind of fresh'n'comfy, carefresh, etc). Be careful that the litter is not too dusty or clumping, which can cause obstructions if ingested.

Be careful not to let your degus walk directly on the bars (which can cause pododermatitis). Cover the bars with either a wooden or metal panel. Plastic panels are often nibbled. To facilitate cleaning and to be more aesthetic, you can cover the surfaces of blankets in polar.

» Water bottle

A water bottle is usually the recommended option for them, especially as they tend to spill their bowls if they are hungry. Prefer a glass bottle, since they are big chewers. It also avoids contamination. Make sure they always have fresh water, and clean regularly!

» Things to chew

You can offer them various paper and cardboard to chew, such as toilet paper rolls or tissue boxes. Personally, I find that my degus do not find as much interest there as my gerbils, but I saw many people on the social communities which offered them to them.

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Treats

The treats will greatly help you tame your tastes, but be careful not to give too much. The degus are predisposed to obesity and they are very voracious, so pay attention to this level!

Here is a list of foods you can offer and how often!

Everyday

  • Oats

  • Linseed

  • Dandelion roots

  • Nettle roots

  • Wild carrot roots

  • Wild parsnip roots

  • Rose petals

  • Puffed rice

  • Puffed wheat

1-3 times/week

  • Pumpkin seeds

  • Celery

  • Pepper

  • Rose hips

  • Grains in flakes

  • Corn flakes

  • Peas in flakes

  • Peanuts

  • Whole nuts

Once/week (in rotation)

  • Sun-flower seeds

  • Peanuts

  • Glans

  • Beech fruits

  • Asparagus

  • Dandelion greens

  • Broccoli

  • Cauliflower

  • Fresh herbs

  • Bhou from Brussels

  • Cabbage

  • Courgette

  • Green beans

  • Beet

  • Dried herbs

  • Pumpkin

  • Butternut squash

  • Radish

Once a Month

  • Hazelnut

  • Brazil nut

  • Pecan nuts

  • Almond nuts

  • Walnut

  • Apple

  • Pear

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Peas

  • Yam

  • Carrots

  • Cucumber

  • Sweet corn / corn on the cob

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