10 Things to Know Before Adopting a Degu
Degus are delightful, sociable rodents that can make fascinating pets for those ready to commit to their care. Before adopting, it's essential to understand their unique needs and behaviour to provide a happy, healthy life for your new companion. Here are 10 important things to know about degus before bringing one home.
1. Degus are active during the day, not nocturnal
Unlike many rodents, degus are diurnal animals, meaning they are active and awake during the day. This behaviour means you will enjoy watching and interacting with them during daylight hours, and they tend to sleep through the night, offering convenience if their cage is nearby where you rest.
2. Long lifespan means a long commitment
In captivity, degus typically live between 6 to 9 years, with proper care extending their lifespan to around 8 to 9 years. This significant time commitment means adopting a degu should be considered a lifetime decision. Their welfare depends on consistent care and attention throughout their lives.
3. Highly social creatures needing companionship
Degus thrive in social groups and do best when housed with other degus, ideally of the same sex to avoid unwanted litters. They can become lonely and depressed if kept alone. Early socialisation helps reduce aggression and builds stronger bonds. Handling from a young age encourages them to trust people and responds well to gentle interaction.
4. Responsible housing to avoid rapid breeding
Degus breed quickly, and unplanned litters can overwhelm owners. It's crucial never to keep males and females together unless you are a responsible breeder prepared for the demands. Separation or neutering of males is advised to prevent accidental breeding, ensuring ethical ownership and animal welfare.
5. Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation
In the wild, degus are very curious and active, travelling significant distances during the day to explore and forage. Captive degus require ample space and enrichment within their cages, such as exercise wheels, climbing structures, tunnels, and toys, to satisfy their natural instincts and maintain physical and mental health.
6. Gentle handling is vital
To build a trusting relationship, handle degus regularly using gentle techniques. Never lift a degu by its tail, as this can cause tail slip, a painful injury where the skin tears away. Educate family and visitors on correct handling to prevent distress and injury. Positive interaction makes moving and cleaning easier.
7. Keep their environment clean
Degus prefer a clean, fresh habitat. You should clean their cage thoroughly once a week using pet-safe disinfectants. Although degus groom themselves with dust baths, they rely on owners to maintain hygiene in the cage, which plays a key role in their health and happiness.
8. Careful, specific diet is essential
Degus have sensitive metabolism and do not regulate blood sugar as efficiently as some other rodents. Feed them a balanced diet primarily consisting of quality hay, degu-specific food mixtures, and pellets designed for chinchillas or guinea pigs, avoiding sugary foods. Fresh water should be available every day via a sipper bottle, and treats should be given sparingly.
9. Find an experienced vet
Since degus are not common pets, locating a veterinary practice experienced with their care ahead of time is important. This preparation ensures you'll have expert medical support if your degu needs it. Routine health checks and prompt attention to signs of illness contribute to their wellbeing.
10. Suitable for responsible older children and adults
Degus require attentive care and are best suited as pets for responsible older children and adults who understand their social, dietary, and exercise needs. Their sociability makes them enjoyable companions for those willing to invest daily time and gentle handling.
In summary, adopting a degu can be a joyous experience if you're prepared for their unique care demands. With the right environment, diet, companionship, and veterinary support, degus can thrive and provide many years of enjoyment as charming, lively pets.
Are degus good pets for beginners?
Degus can make rewarding pets, but they are not usually the best choice for complete beginners or very young children. Their complex social, dietary, and environmental needs require an owner who is committed to doing thorough research before bringing them home. They are not a low-maintenance alternative to a hamster — their enclosures need to be large, cleaned regularly, and stocked with enrichment, and their diet must exclude sugar entirely to protect against diabetes risk.
That said, degus are wonderfully entertaining and genuinely interactive animals for the right owner. Unlike many small rodents, they are active during the day, enjoy exploring and problem-solving, and can become comfortable with regular gentle handling. Owners who put in the groundwork often describe them as one of the most engaging small pets available. The key is entering ownership with realistic expectations about the time and effort involved.
Dust baths: essential for degu coat health
Degus clean themselves using dust baths rather than water. Rolling in fine chinchilla sand strips excess oil and moisture from their dense fur, preventing the coat becoming greasy or matted. Offer a dust bath two or three times a week by placing a shallow dish of chinchilla bathing sand inside the cage for 10–15 minutes, then removing it to keep the sand clean and dry.
Never bathe a degu in water — their thick coat takes a very long time to dry and can cause chilling and skin irritation. Ordinary builder's sand or bird grit is not a suitable substitute; purpose-made chinchilla sand has the right fine particle size. If a degu's coat looks damp, greasy, or unkempt despite regular dust baths, that can sometimes signal underlying illness worth a veterinary check.
Degus and diabetes: why sugar is dangerous
Degus are unusually prone to developing diabetes compared with other small rodents. Their pancreas struggles to produce sufficient insulin when their diet contains excess sugar or starchy carbohydrates, and even small amounts of fruit, yoghurt drops, or sweetened treats can push them towards hyperglycaemia over time. Signs to watch for include excessive thirst, increased urination, weight loss despite a good appetite, and cloudiness developing in the eyes — degus are prone to diabetic cataracts.
Prevention centres entirely on diet: stick to high-quality hay as the main food source, supplement with a degu-specific pellet mix that contains no added sugar, and avoid fruit entirely. If you suspect your degu has blood sugar issues, consult a vet experienced with exotic small mammals promptly, as early dietary intervention can slow progression significantly.
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