Unlocking The Delectable Degu Food/Diet: A Nutritious Guide For Your Furry Fellow
Is your degu suffering from diabetes, obesity, or nutritional deficiencies? These little playful creatures need proper care and diet for a happy and healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the owner of these pets must be aware of their nutrition plan needs to give them a fulfilling and healthy life. Please don’t get upset; make sure that your pet lives a little longer because, in this comprehensive guide Degu Food/Diet, we will provide you with all the nutritious meals that these pets need.
It is essential for the owners of these pets that they are susceptible to certain diseases if given a poor meal intake. Like other humans and rodents, they need proper nutrition for a healthy and happy life.
Because of their exotic behavior and amusing activities, they have captured the attention of pet lovers worldwide, especially in Germany. Degus are kept as popular pets, but it is the responsibility of their owners to provide them with a nutritious meal that will minimize the chance of any health issues. Let’s explore all the necessary food items these furry fellows need for a cheerful life.
Food/Diet Of Octodons Living In Wild
Octodons living in the wild are herbivores, and their edible source is mainly leaves, stems, seeds, and bushes, depending on their local environment. In contrast to those living in captivity, these wild octagons don’t get obese if they eat sugary products because they have spacious areas where they can roam to digest the meal. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t inherit any health issues.
Degu Food/Diet Living In Captivity
An octagon owner can face several challenges while feeding their little fellows, like obesity, diabetes, being overweight, dental issues, and nutritional deficiencies. Mostly, the owners of these pets don’t have any knowledge about their nutritious needs and meals; therefore, unknowingly, they give them extra quantities of meals in affection. It is considered as one of the biggest challenges to give a balanced and nutritious meal to maintain their health.
Exploring The Essential Vitamins & Minerals Degu Need
Whether octagons live in captivity or the wild, adequate minerals and vitamins are necessary for their better health care and longevity. A balanced quantity of fibers, calcium, minerals, proteins, fats, and vitamins helps in their health. Let’s explore What vitamins and minerals a degu needs.
Fibers: Fibers are a necessary source of energy for these pets. In captivity, giving them hay like timothy or meadow provides them with adequate fibers. In the wild, the degu food/diet primarily surrounds fresh leaves that have fibers in the form of nitrogen. It is advised to give them edible products containing almost 15-20% of the fibers.
Proteins: To maintain the health of these octagons, it is essential to give them meals containing protein contents. For good immunity and muscle health, giving them a meal that contains almost 18% protein is advised, but be careful about the quantity; otherwise, it can increase the blood sugar level and cause serious health issues.
Fats: Fats are necessary for the octagons, which help store energy, produce necessary hormones, and promote cell health. For your furry fellow’s better health, give them fats of 4-7% in the form of seeds or nuts.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are a type of fast sugar that should be included in the nutritious plan of octagons, but it is advised to give them a sugary meal in a limited amount to prevent any health issues. These pets are susceptible to diseases like obesity, diabetes, and unhealthy weight gain, so it is recommended that they avoid meals that have high amounts of sugar.
Calcium & Phosphorus: While understanding degu food/diet, it is essential to ensure their regular intake of calcium and phosphorus. Dental problems are common in these pets, and the most common one is malocclusion, which is caused by less calcium intake and larger phosphorus intake. An ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for these pets is 2:1.
Vitamins: Like other rodents, adding vitamins to the nutritious plan of these octagons is necessary as vitamin D promotes better teeth and bone health. Exposing the octagons to direct sunlight would be a better source of vitamin D but prevent long exposure, while those living in the wild can leave their burrows for better sunlight exposure.
Understanding Everyday Degu Food list
The Octodons are the type of rodents that get satisfied with little meals but need food with continuous transit. They mainly eat leafy meals that provide them with adequate nutrients and fiber. Still, it is undeniable that octagons living in captivity mostly get obese because of overeating and lack of physical activities. Therefore, the everyday octagon edibles list must contain a balanced nutritious plan. Everyday Diet includes the following:
Hay Meal: The nutritious needs of these pets include hay, which is considered an essential part of their daily intake. Some famous hay for these pets are timothy, orchard, and brome which are high in fiber and beneficial for the digestive tract of these pets. An unlimited quantity of clean hay should be available for these little pets.
Fresh Water: Giving your little fellow fresh water is essential to protect them from dehydration. Consider giving them plenty of clean water in summer and a meal through which they can ingest water.Make sure, the availability of fresh and clean water for them.
Commercial Food: Nuggets are one of the treats that you can feed your degu. These nuggets are specially designed for these octagons and can be found in any pet store.
Leafy Vegetables: Just like hay and commercial meals, leafy vegetables must be given to children in limited amounts because excessive intake can cause bloating.
Unveiling Some Safer Vegetables For Your Octodons
You can find a number of safer vegetables that you can feed once or twice a week to your degu but it is advised to vary their eating items weekly.
- Veggies like radish, beetroot, dried herbs, and pumpkins are some safer items but don’t give these vegetables more than two times a week.
- Cabbage, fresh herbs, cauliflower, broccoli, and celery should be given once a week.
- Treats that you can feed your degu include carrot, apple, sweet corn, and cherry tomatoes.
Things You Should Not Include In The Degu Food/Diet
Below are some essential things an octagon owner should not include in their nutritious plan.
- Human edibles
- Edibles containing molasses
- Fruits
- Sweet Potato
- Onion & Garlic
- Dairy Products
- Processed meals
- Junk edibles
- Sugary meals
Adding these meals to the diet of your little companion could upset their stomach and affect their overall health and longevity.
It's A Wrap!
Degu food/diet contains vitamins, fibers, minerals, fats, calcium, and phosphorus that should be given in adequate quantities for proper health and well-being. These little creatures are susceptible to diseases, mostly dental issues. Therefore, it is advised to give a well-balanced meal and try to vary the meal regularly. By giving proper care and attention, your little companion will live a little longer. The health of octagons living in the wild and captivity varies because of their different meal intake. In captivity, they become obese because of insufficient diet, while in the wild, their edible source is mainly stems, leaves, and seeds. Give your little fellow hay, commercial-eating products like nuggets especially made for them, water, and leafy vegetables in limited amounts. Avoid using excessive fruits, dairy products, sugary meals, and sweet potatoes for better health.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Yes, these pets can have seeds, but in limited amounts. Their main dietary elements include hay, pellets, leafy vegetables, and sometimes occasional treats like seeds.
Protein, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and a limited amount of carbohydrates are necessary for them.
Two spoons of pellets per day and access to adequate hay and fresh leaves are enough for the octagons.