Degus as Pets: An Overview

What Is A Degu, and Why Should You Own One? Was published October 1st, 2006 by Faith Antonioni. I agree with her, Degus are indeed marvelous pets. We own several, and each has a unique and endearing personality all its own. They're very busy, physical creatures. Sydney climbs my shoulders and head as though she's taking on Mt. Everest. Casey scales the cage bars and hangs from the ceiling. Perhaps she thinks she's a bat! Lacey takes flying leaps from one person to another without warning. This can be terrifying to the uninitiated! If a person walks too close while Lacey's in my arms, WHAM! - Something that looks like a rat dives onto their chest! Can you imagine? And then there's Francine. Francine is happiest sitting quietly on my shoulder, eating a cracker or taking a long nap. Each and every one of them is a joy.

A Little History: Degus are very social creatures who are native mainly to the mountain lowlands of Chile. They live in colonies in the wild, and are considered quite a nuisance. A colony of degus can destroy a farmer's crop in a surprisingly short period of time, and farmers take great pains to drive them away. In Chile, they are as common as squirrels are in the United States.

Degus were initially brought to the US for medical research. Unable to naturally process sugar, they are ideal research animals for diabetes studies. But the technicians quickly came to appreciate their spunky personalities, and soon Degu young started making their way into the pet market as well. Now they are rapidly becoming quite common as companion exotics.

What is it? It looks like a RAT! Scientifically known as Octodon Degus, the Degu's heritage has been hotly debated. At different times the scientific community has classified the degu as either a rodent, or a member of the hare family, more closely related to a rabbit than a rat. Whatever the case, these furry little creatures look much like a rodent, but with the endearing personality and soft feel of a rabbit.

I'd like to get just one to see how well I like it. Pet stores of any quality will only sell Degus in single sex pairs. In the wild, Degus are pack animals who live in huge colonies. Left alone, they tend to become depressed and refuse to eat. Always keep two or more of a single sex, and I'd highly recommend four if your cage is large enough to accommodate them.

Are they easy to keep? Are they safe for kids? Degus require daily love and attention, and are relatively easy for an adult to maintain. They must always be handled properly, from underneath, and are prone to rib dislocation when mishandled. Dislocated ribs are very painful, and a Degu in pain can bite hard enough to draw blood. My children handle ours under adult supervision all the time, but I do not recommend them to be strictly a child's pet.

Housing: Contrary to popular belief, keeping Degus in an empty aquarium isn't a wise choice. The dust from their bedding and the ammonia smell released from their urine will hover near the floor, at their level. Even when an aquarium cage smells fine to a human, it can be causing great respiratory distress to pet Degus, significantly shortening their life spans.

A two story wire cage, commonly found in pet shops, can work fine with one small, but very important, modification.
The wire cage, with its superior ventilation, works much better for respiratory health. However, Degus (among other small animals) can develop a painful condition called Bumblefoot. Bumblefoot is a grouping of painful bumps on the bottoms of their feet, caused by constantly walking on wire floors. To keep this painful problem at bay, wire floors must always be covered. Degus are very lightweight, and simple newspaper flooring works well. Cover several sheets of newspaper with bedding, (Aspen or kiln dried Pine is inexpensive and works well), then simply roll up for disposal as needed. Every 4-6 days is usually sufficient. Never use Cedar bedding, as the oils on the product cause serious respiratory difficulties in small animals.

Provide a small 'house' in which they can feel safe. Pet stores have various options, and wooden is best. (They will chew on anything put into their cage as a means of keeping their ever-growing teeth worn to a proper length.) If commercially sold 'houses' are not in the budget, a child's cardboard shoebox can also be used.

Lastly, they'll also need access to the occasional dust bath. In the wild, Degus do not bathe in water, but in sand. It's extremely fine, not the same what's found in a child's sandbox. Look for 'Chinchilla Sand' or 'Chinchilla Dust' in the store. Place an inch or two in the bottom of a large bowl, allow them to climb in and watch the fun!

How big will they get? Degus are larger than hamsters, but they do not get as big as guinea pigs. A full grown Degu can easily sit on the palm of an adult's hand with room to spare.

What do they eat? Although you're unlikely to find 'Degu Food' anywhere in the pet store, a high quality Chinchilla food is appropriate. Remember that they are natural diabetics. Check the ingredients to verify that any form of sugar, including molasses, is either absent or very low on the list. In addition, provide fresh hay and small amounts of fresh vegetables. Cheerios and crackers make welcome treats. (Think of them as candy, not to be given often.)

How long do they live? This is another issue of some debate. I've found many sources claiming they live anywhere from one to fifteen years! The average age indicated seems to be 4-6 years, so be certain you're ready for a commitment of that magnitude. If that's longer than you care to commit to a pet, Degus may not be for you.

Are they easy to breed? Can I make money selling babies? Degus can breed when they are very, very young. This does not make it a good idea to do so. Litters can easily overwhelm an uninformed owner who has no sources for placement. You may think the pet store will buy them from you, but pet stores will often sell young Degus as snake food because they have limited housing available. That's if they will take them at all. Degus should only be bred by competent, well informed breeders with a great deal of knowledge in the medical needs of Degus, as well as secure outlets for their placement.

Degus make wonderful small pets. They take up little space, require minimal cleanup, and are ideal for people who otherwise may not have room for pets. Their sweet and feisty personalities make them very endearing, and I'd recommend them to any adult looking for some small companions. Visit your local pet store and see one today!