Degu Care - How To Take Care Of A Degu Pet?

If you’ve ever seen a degu, you would likely be immediately smitten by their warm personality and cute look. Degus are a type of burrowing rodent that is native to Chile. In the wild, degus will live in packs of up to 100. Due to their sweet temperament, these animals have been gaining popularity as household pets.
Part of the appeal of a degu as a pet is that, unlike many types of rodents, they aren’t nocturnal. They’ll likely learn your routine too, and not keep you up at night on their exercise wheel. They are lovers of social interaction, playtime, cuddles, and even exercise. Their behavior combined with their relatively small size make them a wonderful pet option for many different types of homes. Degu pet care is relatively easy too, which is an added advantage.
How Long Do Degus Live?
Degu care is like any other household pet care. They have some specific requirements for their large cage, like a nesting box, and require certain foods. With good hygiene and care, the degu lifespan ranges between five to eight years.
Degu Pet Behavior & Temperament
Due to their notoriously warm and affectionate nature, if you raise a degu from a young age, most likely, your pet will come to you freely and even request some belly scratches. In order to ensure calm temperament, it’s recommended that these pets be housed in same-sex pairs. These animals are naturally playful and social, but without the proper outlets to express those natural tendencies, they can become more aggressive. Willow balls like those used for parrots and rabbits tend to work well for playtime with these cute pets.
Degus will talk to you through chitter-chatter sounds, which can be quite fun and cute. While the degu animal is naturally friendly, it’s important to know the signs your pet gives you that it is uncomfortable. They’ll usually screech when they feel threatened, though they rarely bite.
How to Know if Your Degu is Healthy
Before adding a new pet to your household, try to brush up on degu facts so you can be prepared. Your vet can likely provide a degu care guide or a degu care sheet to help you care for your pet, but here are some pointers to look for to understand if your new friend is healthy:
- Clear, bright eyes
- Shiny fur
- A healthy appetite
- High energy (unless sleeping, of course!)
- Clean, dry rear end (with no signs of diarrhea)