First things first , what actually is a Degu?
A degu (Octodon degu) is a small rodent from Chile. It was originally thought to be a close relative of the guinea pig but may actually be closer related to Rabbits and Pikas. They are sociable animals forming communities and living in groups. They live in burrows with multiple entrances and are on the menu for foxes and birds of prey. Degus give birth to precocious young, meaning their offspring are born fully furred miniatures of their parents.
The Degu has become increasingly popular in the pet trade and as a result of their very specific requirememnts they frequently turn up in rescue centres as unwanted pets.
Before purchasing a Degu you should be aware that they like to live in groups and will become very depressed and destructive if they are kept singly without much human contact. In my experience a single Degu will seek more human company than a group member but this cannot replace the company of another Degu. Degus will live happily in single sex groups as long as they are related to eachother. There are squabbles over dominance, but once a hierarchy is established there is usually no serious fighting between individuals.
Degus also require a special diet. They are extremely prone to diabetes, a condition that will ultimately result in death. The best way to avoid this is to feed them a complete Degu mix and keep treats to suitable items such as wild grass, dandelion leaves and clover. Check food is safe before feeding if collecting it from the wild. They should also have constant access to hay as they will eat little and often. A source of fresh water, ideally in a water bottle, should always be available.
Degus also require a sand bath, ideally inside the cage and permanently available. They bath often in sand to remove oil from their fur, an important part of thermoregulation for a Degu.
If you can provide the right conditions for a group of Degus you will be rewarded with some very intelligent and fascinating pets. You will marvel at their clicks and squeaks that they use to communicate with eachother. You will be amazed with just how much grass can disappear down the throat of a Degu and you will have a wonderful pet for several years.
If you are thinking of adding a group of Degus to your family the best advice is to do some thorough research first. Buy a book on Degus so you always have information about them available to you. If you feel able to take on a rescued Degu then good for you.
I rehomed my Degus from someone who was no longer able to look after them. They were not young animals and after a couple of years two of them passed away. The most vocal member of the group was left. He was quite sad and seemed to really miss the other two so I had him out all day and just put him in the cage to sleep or if I had to go out. He lived another year and became such a friendly little guy. After his death I used a couple of photos of him on products in my shop. These have been very popular leading me to think that there must be a lot of people out there that find Degus as fascinating as I do.
Here are a couple of products featuring images of my beloved little Degu. Lots more products featuring these images can be found in my store.
