Here is a guide on the frequency of giving common degu treats to your pet:
- Seeds and nuts: One or two small seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds can be given several times per week. ...
- Raisins: One raisin per month is enough for your degu because of the treat’s high sugar content.
- Dried rosehips: One dried rosehip per week is enough since it might have too much sugar.
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1. Feed once or twice a week on rotation as they can cause bloating.
How do you take care of a degus?
1 – Hay. A Degu’s diet should mostly consist of quality hay, which includes Meadow Hay or Timothy Hay. ... 2 – Degu Specific Food and Pellet. Your pet can have these as they contain every necessary mineral and vitamin suitable for Degus. ... 3 – Minerals and Vitamins. ... 4 – Vegetables and Fresh Herbs. ... 5 – Fruits. ... 6 – Treats. ...
What do degu’s Eat?
Here is a list of safe foods for degus: A Degu’s diet should mostly consist of quality hay, which includes Meadow Hay or Timothy Hay. The hay should not be green, brown, as green hay may cause bloating.
What kind of hay is best for degus?
If your hay is brown or green, it will not be good for a degu. Green dry hay will also cause degus to bloat. Here are three types of grass you can confidently give your degu: Degus love chewing snacks of all kinds since this helps keep their teeth from overgrowing.
Do degus make good pets?
Unlike many other rodents such as hamsters and chinchillas that are active at night, degus are active during the day and sleep at night, making them more suitable as pets. Pet degus live, on average, 6-9 years with proper care and nutrition.
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What can degus eat as treats?
Thus, pet degus should not be fed sugary treats but should be offered commercially available rodent pellets or blocks (those made for rats are generally fine) along with leafy greens, such as dark lettuces and dandelion greens, plus vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots, and unlimited ...
What is a degus favorite food?
Feeding. The basis of a good degu diet is a combination of high quality chinchilla or guinea pig pellets, and rodent blocks. Grass hay (such as timothy hay) should be available all the time (you can get small hay racks to make this easier), and a small amount of alfalfa hay can also be offered.
What can degus not eat?
What should I avoid feeding my degus?Food containing molasses.Rabbit food (often contains wrong nutrients and sometimes has ingredients toxic to degus)Fruit (the occasional bit of apple is OK but anything else should be avoided)Sweet potato skins.Hamster and gerbil foods (too high in protein for degus)More items...
What nuts can degus eat?
NUTS AND SEEDS- Degus particularly enjoy sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, as well as natural (unsalted) peanuts and whole hazel or brazil nuts (in the shell).
What fruits can degus eat?
3. Feed once a month as they are either high in sugar or carbohydrates:AppleCherry tomatoesPeasCarrotsCucumberSweetcorn/corn on the cobJan 24, 2017
Can degus have pea flakes?
Exotic Nutrition Pea Flakes are a healthy all natural treat for small animals such as Chinchillas, Prairie Dogs, Guinea pigs, Sugar Gliders, Degus, Skunks, Backyard Chickens, Rabbits and other pets.
Can degu eat cucumber?
Compared to other green vegetables, such as celery and broccoli, cucumbers prove to have more carbohydrates and sugar in them. Thus, having too much of cucumbers can be harmful for your degus. While celery and broccoli can be given to them once in a week or two, it's advisable to restrict cucumbers to once a month.
Can degus eat carrot?
Many fruits can be high in sugar, so don't give these to your degus. Some vegetables - such as carrot, sweet potato, beetroot and parsnips - can also be high in sugar, so should only be given in very small pieces as an occasional treat. Be wary of commercial treat products, as these can also be too sugary.
Can degu eat broccoli?
Vegetables – degu's should be fed green vegetables, peas, beans, dandelion and broccoli. Cabbage can cause bloating so should be avoided. All greens should be washed before feeding.
Can degus eat fruit?
In the wild, degus will sometimes eat fruit and vegetation. If you are feeding your degu good quality herbage and specialist degu food, it might not be necessary to give them fruit and vegetables as well.
Can degus have salt licks?
A variety of wood blocks and chews as well as branches can be provided. Willow balls and toys made for rabbits are great for degus, and cotton rope and wood toys designed for large parrots are also a good choice. A mineral or salt block designed for rodents can be attached to the cage.
Can degus drink from a bowl?
So, can degus drink their water from a water bowl? If you decide that you want to use water bowls in your degu's cage for them to drink out of instead of water bottles then that's absolutely fine. Putting a water bowl in their cage is safe to do as long as you're using the right ones.
Can degus eat chips?
Degus are very susceptible to diabetes and can quickly become fat, so they can't eat sugar-rich or fatty food.
Can degu eat cucumber?
Compared to other green vegetables, such as celery and broccoli, cucumbers prove to have more carbohydrates and sugar in them. Thus, having too much of cucumbers can be harmful for your degus. While celery and broccoli can be given to them once in a week or two, it's advisable to restrict cucumbers to once a month.
Can degus eat grass?
Eating lots of grass and hay, which is fiberous helps to wear down a degu's front teeth. If they become too long they can have difficulties with eating. It also provides the correct type of fibre needed to maintain healthy gut movements. Degu's require good quality hay as a staple part of their daily diet.
Do degus like to burrow?
Safe hiding places and nest boxes - degus need to be able to be alone, hide or escape whenever they feel afraid. They also need hay-filled nest boxes where they can rest and sleep. To dig, burrow and hide bits of their food - give them suitable bedding material so they can do this.
What to feed a degu?
Then spread this onto a Weetabix cracker. Give this as a healthy meal your degu will enjoy devouring.
What do degus eat in the wild?
Wild degus consume everything plant-based in nature. This includes roots, grass, hay, and a variety of flowers and their stems. They will spend most of their waking hours foraging for items that are native to where they live.
What and how do degus drink?
Bowl: If you have a colony of degus, they will appreciate a drinking bowl as long as this is in a part of their cage they are not scampering around or through. This will make their water dirty and get them wet, which is always bad. It can be elevated so they have to climb up onto a slightly raised platform to get to this water source.
How long can a degu live without food?
One of the most amazing features about the wild degu is that they can live up to 3 weeks without eating. But in captivity, you better not attempt this. The maximum amount of time you can go without feeding them is a day or two. This is still unadvised just for their safety but if they access plenty of hay and water, they will be fine. It’s always best to have someone feed your degu if you go on a trip for the weekend.
How old do baby degus start eating?
Baby degus start eating regular food at just 4 weeks old. You can give them seeds and nuts so they get used to chewing regularly and introduce the dry pellets too. As they get older, make sure they have a variety of fresh veggies. They will eat less than half a tablespoon per feeding at least 3 times a day.
How much food do degus eat?
A fully grown degu will eat a total of 10 grams of food, pellets, seeds, and vegetables. This will amount to 1-2 tablespoons of various bits of food you prepare for each feeding. Since they need to eat twice a day, the 10 grams is split into 5 grams per serving.
Can degus digest pellets?
Some rodent mixes have items in them that your degu cannot digest easily. They can also have seeds that are too high in sugars and fats. You should also avoid mixes with corn and sunflower seeds.
What do degus eat?
In order to be happy, healthy and active, Degus need a specific diet of Degu -specific nuggets, Timothy hay, alfalfa bales, fresh clean water and one or two fresh vegetable pieces a day to get all the nutrition they need. Below we go into more detail about which ones, and give suggestions on where and what to buy. Remember that giving the right food in the right quantities is vital, as in a caged environment, they can not seek out their own food, and can not shout you when they are hungry. Buying your pet was the easy part, building the cage was simple, now the next 5-10 years of feeding, preparing, cleaning and looking after is where you start demonstrating why you are responsible enough to own one of these magnificent animals
How to feed a degu?
Food should be fed twice a day, during the morning and after the sleep in the late evening. Guinea Pig pellets are suitable if nothing specific to Degusare available, as they help provide some of the vitamin C Deguscan not produce, but every effort should be made to have the correct food, which is very easy with the internet and home delivery options of most pet stores (after all, how are you reading this page?). Chinchilla food should be avoided, and all others should not be given. If your Degubecomes overweight, give them less pellets and more hay. Food should be kept in a ceramic or metal dish, as they are heavier than plastic and nibble proof (and so Degusafe), and to some extent will not tip over.
How often should I give my Degus a bales?
I give mine these mini cubes, snapped in half and given to each Degu once a week. More details here
Why should treats contain little sugar?
Treats must contain as little sugar as possible to prevent diabetes and other health problems.
How often should I replace water bottles for my Degus?
You could buy cheap £2 water bottles, but if your Degus get into the habit of chewing what they can get at, you'll be replacing them every week, even if they are outside the cage. it is much easier and cost efficient to give them glass bottles, or if you are D.I.Y. literate, create an enclosure out of mesh to keep them out of it.
Do degus hide treats?
Hiding treats in various areas around your cage will not only be fun for Degus but will also help them live out the scavenging behaviours they would normally demonstrate in the wild.
Who makes the Degu mix?
This Degu mix by JR Farmis advertised as the complete Degudiet, and has some raving reviews on Zoo Plus, more details can be found here
What to use for degus in cage?
Cages should be lined with paper-based bedding to cushion degus’ feet against pressure sores and should contain a wheel to run in for exercise. Commercially available paper bedding or shredded recycled paper is ideal, as it is not toxic and is digestible if eaten. Wood bedding is indigestible and often contains oils that are potentially irritating to degus’ skin. For a single degu in a cage, cage bedding should be spot-cleaned daily and fully replaced weekly. If more than one degu is housed in a cage, it may need more frequent cleaning.
What kind of cage should I use for a degus?
Metal, multi-level cages meant for chinchillas or pet rats are usually fine for housing degus. Different cage levels satisfy degus’ need to climb and run. Wire mesh cages provide good ventilation and should have solid-bottomed floors and ramps connecting the levels so that degus’ little toes don’t get caught in the mesh.
Where Can You Get a Degu?
Degus are available for adoption from rescue facilities where they end up often when frustrated or disappointed owners, who loved the novelty of having a pet degu but who were ignorant about the care these animals require, leave them. Degus also are sold in pet stores in states in which these pets are legal to keep. Individuals interested acquiring a pet degu should contact a veterinarian comfortable with degu care before they purchase or adopt the pet so that they can learn about what having a degu entails before they bring one home.
How do degus communicate?
They communicate with each other through an extensive vocabulary of more than a dozen sounds that baby degus learn from their parents as they grow. Degus will chatter, squeak, and make warbling noises, depending on their mood.
How long do degus live?
Pet degus live, on average, 6-9 years with proper care and nutrition. They have excellent vision and can actually see ultraviolet (UV) ...
Why do degus have cataracts?
Young degus may also develop cataracts as a result of a congenital eye defect unassociated with diabetes. Regardless, all degus with cataracts should be checked for diabetes.
Why are degus so prone to diabetes?
Although degus can be kept generally healthy with proper care and preventative check-ups, they are prone to developing certain conditions, such as diabetes, due to their sensitivity to dietary sugars. They also develop cataracts (milky, hazy looking lenses in their eyes), often as a consequence of developing diabetes.
