Degus As Pets: What You Need To Know About The Burrowing Rodent (And Why They'Re A Great Napper)

A degu is a small, burrowing rodent. It is native to Chile. They are great nappers, but they will come to greet you once they get used to your schedule. They can be illegal to own in multiple states within the United States. Some places think degus is an invasive species and ban people from owning it as a pet. Degus is curious and fun. They do best in same-sex pairs with other degus. degus are easily tamed from an early age. If they do not get enough social interaction and exercise, they become aggressive and neurotic. Degu are chewers and need a large cage. Make sure the enclosure is made of wire or metal. They will eat their way through wood and plastic. A degu enclosure should have a nest box to mimic the burrows they dig. :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/degus-as-pets-1236773-FINAL2-dee878cc63894cf1a8b8a6f71dc54472-95921f14725f4b3c81dd6d88557ebece. jpg)Degus eat a diet high in roughage and low in carbohydrates. Make nutrient-rich grass, like Timothy hay or alfalfa, available at all times.

Provide fresh vegetables daily. Examples include sweet potato (peeled, uncooked) and carrots. Deguses are generally healthy. However, they can be susceptible to a few conditions. Due to their natural insulin resistance, degus can be prone to diabetes. They also get bumblefoot, a bacterial infection that causes foot sores. Mouth and dental diseases are common. Degum are small, around 9 to 12 inches long. They weigh a mere 6 to 11 ounces. They shed, or more like a molt, once a year. They are very affectionate and easy to care for. They need no grooming help. They require a lot more attention than most household pets. They don't need food all the time, they chew on everything, and really need another degu as a companion because they need more attention. . . .