Degu – a rodent native to South America that is increasingly chosen as a house pet.These animals are very curious and social, and are most active in the first half of the day. Although it is commonly believed that rodents require very little attention from their owners, keeping a degu will certainly change your mind. In the wild, degus can survive for up to 15 years, whereas when kept in the home they usually reach 5-7 years of age (and in rare cases can survive up to 10 years).
Communication
These small pets are very inquisitive and must be protected from the dangers lurking in the house such as cats or dogs, vacuum cleaners, etc. The bravery of a Degu is sometimes truly astonishing, so make sure that overconfidence doesn’t kill your pet. Don’t be surprised if your newly acquired pet is timid – this will definitely change over time. It is recommended that you gently talk to your pet and offer treats for these rodents. Before the degu is ready, do not rush to pick up the pet – you can first put your hand against the cage to help the rodent get used to your smell.
Cage
The Degu is a very active pet, so its cage should be as spacious as possible. A cage that is 100 cm long, 30-35 cm wide and about 50 cm high can be an excellent choice and will make the pet feel comfortable. A cage made of glass or metal slats is a good choice and will not be damaged by the rodent’s sharp teeth. It is best to place the cage in a draught-free and sunny location – these rodents are quite sensitive to temperature changes. Line the bottom of the cage with compressed pellets or coarse sawdust. It is important to be aware that cedar chips can be hazardous to the health of the burrower, so avoid this choice. Degas are very fond of hiding places, so you can build special rodent houses in the cage. You can also make no mistake by installing climbing ladders, a treadmill, etc. When installing the cage, take into account whether the various items are safe for your pet – Degu teeth are very sharp, and various accessories can be gnawed on by your pet.
Mattens
Degu take great care of their fur, so there is no need to bathe these rodents. However, degus are very fond of sand baths, so you can fill a shallow container with chinchilla sand and let your pet bathe for 10-15 minutes. If you are worried about the mess that sand bathing is sure to cause, put the “pool” out when you are about to clean the cage.
Degas nutrition
Degu are vegetarians and are very fond of plant bulbs, roots and bark. It is much easier to ensure a complete diet if you choose a special feed for degus in pet shops. In addition to the basic feed, rhinos should also be given hay, which they use not only for food, but also for turning their bearings. Like other rodents, degus’ teeth grow throughout their lives, so the pet has to constantly chew something. Special chalk for rodents – one of the best choices, so you can fix it in your pet’s cage. You can also treat your pet to a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, which are an excellent source of carotene. From time to time you can treat your pet to dried parsley, celery, parsnips and dried apples. Do not give the dog foods with a high sugar content (raisins, sweet fruit, treats for humans), as they are prone to developing diabetes.
Supplementary foods
Due to the fact that degus are vegetarians, they require supplementary foods to survive.
Fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains and seeds, nuts, and other nutritious foods should be included in their diet as a way to round out their nutritional needs.
Make certain that you feed them a well-balanced and varied diet so that they can remain healthy! Others recommend feeding degus cooked eggs or mashed-up cooked beans, as these foods are high in protein and provide a good source of nutrition.
Although degus have a relatively sedentary lifestyle and do not get much exercise, it is important to note that they are predisposed to obesity.
Consequently, be cautious not to overload them with high-calorie or high-fat foods!