Information about Degus

Degus belong to the order of rodents and are small, folivorous/herbivorous (plant-eating) mammals. They are active during the day, very social and live in large colonies of several family groups consisting of about 10 animals in the wild. As a pet, they also want a partner at their side. They have a life expectancy of about 5 to 7 years, but can also get older. The body length is 12.5 to 19.5 cm and they reach a weight of about 170 to 350 grams.

Degus are the most common rodents in Chile. There they mainly inhabit the central and northern areas with low bushes and good hiding places of dense herbs and grasses. They also like to stay in stony soil layers with a loose soil. There they build widely branched burrows. They can also be found increasingly often in fields, gardens and parks. Degus mainly feed on vegetable food.

Degus have their own nutritional needs.

Teeth of the Degu

There are two incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws, which, like the molars, continue to grow throughout life. A rough fibre structure in the diet is therefore absolutely necessary for the health of the teeth.

Stomach of the Degu

The stomach is a so-called stuffed stomach. It is only moderately muscular and therefore cannot transport the food pulp to the next section of the intestine on its own. The following food portions take over that task, so to speak.

Degu's appendix

The appendix is the so-called fermentation chamber. The fine dietary fibres go there, which are converted into proteins, vitamin B complex and vitamin K by special bacteria. The appendix produces the appendix pellets, which are reabsorbed.

Diabetes & Degus

To prevent diabetes, you should not give fresh fruit or other sugary or starchy components. This is also important when choosing food. Degus should be fed a high-fiber diet of at least 20% fiber and a starch content of no more than 6-7%.

Housing of Degus

Degus do not like to live alone. Optimal is to keep a community consisting of several females or a castrated male and several females. They become very trusting and are easy to tame if you are intensively involved with them.

Location of the Degu enclosure

The cage should be placed in a draught-free area. Since degus like to sunbathe, direct sunlight in the morning and evening is very pleasant for them. However, they should always have shade available and the ambient temperature should not exceed 32°C. The cage should be placed in a raised area so that the animals do not feel like prey.

Degu Cage Size

When keeping up to 5 degus of the same sex, a minimum size of 130 x 60 x 100 cm (W x D x H) is recommended. A larger, more structured cage allows for more movement. Additional free-range under supervision promotes their natural behavior, such as exploring and playing.

Furnishing of the Degu enclosure

The lively animals need a lot of activities and movement. You can offer them this by the right cage design. Several houses, sitting areas at different heights, clay and cork tubes and climbing branches belong in every cage. In order to satisfy their pronounced urge to move, degus are very happy with a running wheel with a closed running surface and a minimum diameter of 33 cm. A sand bath with chinchilla sand to clean the fur is also a must. We also recommend providing food in stable clay or ceramic bowls and water in drinking bottles. You should provide sufficient good quality hay daily in a coverable hay rack.

Ground cover for Degus

The litter should be absorbent and odor-binding. A thick layer of litter makes it possible to build tunnels. It is important to replace the litter regularly (clean the urine corners daily).

How can I tell if my Degu is sick or not feeling well?

It is important to check the animal thoroughly every day. Only someone who knows the animal well will notice when it behaves differently, for example, turns away from the group or the owner or isolates itself and when it eats and drinks less. Weight loss and changed behavior in terms of droppings and urination can also indicate an illness.

In addition, sick animals often show reduced washing and grooming behavior. This causes the coat to become rough. Indications of pain include a hunched back, a hunched posture, a wavy coat, half-closed eyes, and grinding of the teeth. If the degu shows any of these symptoms, the vet should definitely be consulted.