A Beginner's Guide to Degu Care

Degus are exceptionally cute, inquisitive and intelligent creatures. That being said… they certainly take a lot of work and understanding to own.

Degus are a complex species that require a lot of care. If you are considering taking degus on or just want to learn more about them here is what you need to know.

What are Degus?

Degus are part of the rodent family. They originate from Chile in South America, where they live in social groups in desert-like areas.

These cheeky rodents can grow to around 25-31cm in length, including their bristly tail. A healthy adult degu should weigh around 220-250g.

How Long Do Degus Live For?

Degus have a long-life expectancy in comparison to other rodents. Healthy degus can live between 6-8 years; however, they have been documented living until 10!

This makes owning degus a huge commitment and is certainly something to keep in mind before rushing into ownership. The good news is you will likely have your best furry friends around for a long time if you decide to take on this remarkable species.

Are Degus Social?

Yes! Degus are a social species; they live in the wild in small groups of around 6-7 individuals.

They spend their time foraging for foliage and socialising in the tunnels they dig and live in.

Degus thrive on companionship with others, so it is important to keep this in mind if you are considering this species as a pet. Their living space must be big enough to accommodate at least two adult degus. Finding a suitable cage might be tricky, the below is the MINUMUM required for two adult Degus:

72cm x 60cm x 45cm

However, the larger the enclosure the better!

Alongside their cage, degus will need daily (supervised!) exercise outside their enclosure. Degus are somewhat nosey creatures and will relish the opportunity to explore! Just make sure you keep your cables tidied away and keep an eye out for hazards.

What do Degus eat?

Degus are herbivores and in the wild would forage for herbs and foliage.

A domesticated degu diet should consist mainly of high-quality dust-extracted hay. Hay is the most important part of a degu diet as this fibre source is integral for proper gut function. Hay should make up 80% of their daily diet.

Adding in small amounts of tasty natural herbs and flowers can increase hay palatability and encourage natural foraging behaviour.

Alongside their hay, degus should also be offered complementary hard feed and fresh vegetables. An adult degu will only need around 10g of hard feed a day- remember to choose a degu-specific diet.

Small amounts of fresh food (around the size of your thumbnail) can be offered twice a week.

Vegetables such as red/green peppers, pumpkin, and beetroot, alongside herbs like mint and parsley, can be fed weekly. Sugary vegetables like carrots should be given very occasionally.

Degus are at an increased risk of developing diabetes, due to a scarcity of sugar in their natural environment. Avoid feeding fruit or sugary treats.

Never feed iceberg lettuce or avocado as they are watery and contain toxins which can be dangerous to small animal health.

Are Degus playful?

Degus are very inquisitive. Once they feel comfortable in their surroundings, they can be very playful and keen to explore.

Wooden toys and gnaws are essential for keeping degus occupied and helping them file down their constantly growing teeth. Noisy danglers and homemade toys (like hay-stuffed cardboard tubes and egg boxes) are ideal for adding to their environment.

Degus are intelligent creatures and without proper enrichment are likely to become bored and ill.

Do Degus Need Bathing?

Yes… but not in the conventional sense. Degus naturally indulge in sand baths. In the wild, the most abundant resource is… sand. So, degus have learnt to dig tunnels, forage, toilet and clean themselves with this natural substance.

Degus should be offered a sand bath a few times a week. They will roll around in it and like magic, all the oil and debris will be removed from their coats. Sand can be contained in anything, if the space allows for degus to get in, out and roll around.

Always use pet-safe natural bathing sand. Pop the sand bath in for around 20-30 minutes, allow your degus to clean themselves then remove the bath.

When it comes to their general cage cleanliness, Degus are very hygienic creatures! Their enclosure will typically require once or twice weekly cleans. Remember to always use a pet-safe disinfectant and safe natural substrate like Wood Shavings.

Being the social creatures they are, degus have an adorable tendency to sleep together. If you have a group, they will often be found snoozing in a big furry pile. Alongside substrate for the bottom of the cage, degus require safe bedding for them to create their nests from.

General small animal bedding is fine alongside long strips of soft tissue. Sprinkle their bedding across their enclosure and enjoy watching your degus work together to create their sleeping space.

Health Checking your Degus

Any pet owner knows the importance of regular health checking their companion.

Taming your degu using treats and positive reinforcement is the key to making sure they are happy to be handled. You could also clicker train your degus, why not read our handy clicker guide.

Have fun and be patient, as some degus will pick up training quicker than others.

It’s recommended to go through a health check at least weekly and remember the more you desensitise your pet to handling the easier it will be!

• Is underneath the tail clean? – A degu can drop its tail if scared/threatened. Never ever pick them up by their tail.
• Do they have all their toes and nails? Are they clean and not overgrown?
• Do the legs move freely with no staggering or stiffness?
• Are the teeth present? Are they straight and not overgrown? It’s important to note Degu’s front two incisor teeth should be covered in bright orange enamel.
• Is the nose clean with no discharge?
• Are the eyes bright and clear? Milky/ discoloured eyes could be a sign of serious disease.
• Stroke the ears; are they smooth and clean?
• Is the fur clean with no bald patches or parasites?
• Blow in the fur; the skin should be healthy, not red, dry, or flaky.
• Feel the body. Is it fat enough? It should not feel bloated or bony.
• Listen to the chest. Is the breathing almost silent with no wheezing?

Degus are complex creatures who require lots of care, attention and time. Being prepared is key but for the right owners, degus make fantastic furry companions.