Tel: 613-725-3166 www.ottawahumane.
ca
HOUSING HEALTH
Degus require lots of space. Choose as large a solid- Find a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and
bottomed cage as possible and place it in a dry, draft- experienced in treating degus before you have an
free room, out of direct sunlight. Height is important emergency. Degus are especially prone to chronic
as well as length and width; degus love to climb. If the respiratory disease, teeth problems and diabetes.
cage has different levels, cover the shelves with Diabetes cannot be treated in small animals, so
untreated wood to protect your degu’s feet. Cover the prevention is essential. Never feed your degu fruit
floor with bedding such as aspen or pine shavings, or other foods containing sugar, honey or molasses.
recycled paper or corncob bedding. Avoid cedar
shavings, which contain harmful oils. Your degus will
If your degu puts on weight, cut out all treats and,
if you have been feeding her seed mix, switch to
A QUICK GUIDE
also appreciate a nesting box. You can provide a box
of untreated wood or an old cardboard box, which
pellets. Degus are also prone to mouth infections,
so keep the water bottle spotlessly clean. If your
TO DEGUS
will double as a gnawing object. Tear unscented white degu is not eating or drinking, or has diarrhea, see a
tissue into narrow strips to provide a safe, inexpensive veterinarian immediately.
nesting material. Food should be offered in a ceramic
bowl and fresh water in a sipper bottle. FERTILITY
Degus need plenty of exercise and stimulation, so Degus become sexually mature very early — at
provide a variety of toys. A large exercise wheel is a between three and six months — and their gestation
good choice. Many degus do well on metal wheels period (pregnancy) is very short. Determine each
with rungs, but you should monitor your pet carefully pet’s sex, and keep males and females separate at all
on metal or plastic wheels with rungs to make sure he times to prevent unwanted babies. Because it is
is not injuring his feet. Climbing frames of untreated difficult to find appropriate homes for them, breeding
wood and pesticide-free branches from beech, maple degus is strongly discouraged.
or fruit trees will allow your degu to climb, while a
large deep box filled with soft sandy soil provides a
place to dig. Pieces of untreated wood and cardboard
rolls will satisfy your degu’s urge to gnaw and help
keep teeth properly worn down.
Keep your degu’s habitat clean by
removing soiled litter
daily. Thoroughly clean
the water bottle once a
day. Wash food dishes
and the cage bottom once
a week. Always rinse and
dry the cage well before
adding clean bedding and
returning your pet.
Ottawa Humane Society Tel: 613-725-3166 www.ottawahumane.ca
Relative newcomers as pets, full-grown degus are Optional items GENERAL CARE
about the size of a pet rat, with a long tail, large eyes
• Hay rack Regular exercise outside the cage is essential for
and mouse-like ears. They are highly social animals
• Climbing frame of untreated wood your degu’s health. A room can be made safe for
and are happiest when sharing their habitat with
• Digging pit degus by preventing access to electrical cords,
another degu. Degus don’t like to be handled, but do
removing hazardous items and blocking gaps under
enjoy human companionship. Their antics, often • Portable playpen
appliances and furniture. Alternatively, a playpen
accompanied by excited chittering or gentle coos, • Pesticide free will allow your pets to romp in safety. Never let a
can keep you entertained for hours. Their average branches
degu outside of the cage unsupervised.
life span is five to ten years.
Degus clean themselves by rolling in dust, so you
Before adopting a degu, consider the following:
will need to provide a dust bath. Fill a large ceramic
• Degus need nutritious food, fresh water and a bowl with chinchilla dust and place it in your degu’s
clean habitat. ONE OR cage. Remove the dust bath once your degu has
• Degus need daily exercise and play. TWO? finished. Repeat this two to three times a week.
• All household members should understand how to Degus are very social animals. No matter how
hold a degu, and should be as eager as you to attentive you are, a pet degu will be much happier
DIET
welcome a degu into the family. with another degu companion. If possible, keep a Your degu’s primary source of food should be guinea
• While they are excellent companions, most degus pair of the same sex. pig mix or chinchilla pellets. Most authorities believe
do not like to be handled. that sugar is not good for degus, so check the
• Degus require a larger habitat than most rodents. HANDLING ingredient list of any pre-packaged foods and avoid
dried fruit or molasses. Fresh hay should be constantly
Most degus are cautious about being handled. But available, preferably in a hayrack. Supplement your
SETTING UP HOUSE they must be handled daily if they are to remain degu’s diet with fresh vegetables, but never fruit,
tame. Do not put your hand in their cage and back which is high in natural sugars. As an occasional
them into a corner or swoop your hand down from
Essential items treat, offer your degus nuts, seeds or puffed rice.
above. Both will be perceived as the actions of a Fresh water should be available at all times.
• Spacious cage with solid bottom predator. Allow your degu to come to you. Start by
• Shavings letting your degu sniff your hand and progress to Please support the animals in our community.
• Hiding box hand feeding. With enough training, your degu may
eventually climb into your hand. You may then pick
• Food bowls
up your degu gently in your palm. Never pick a degu
• Water bottle up by the tail!
• Guinea pig food or chinchilla pellets
• Hay
als,
• Large ceramic bowl and chinchilla dust ry social anim Tel: 613-725-3166
Degus are ve n tion
regular atte email: ohs@ottawahumane.ca
• Gnawing objects so they need .
ical handling Charitable #: 123264715 RR0001
• Exercise wheel (try to find a large wheel with a but little phys
solid surface) 2011/05
