How To Care For A Degu?
Degu are the rodents that can be found in Chile. These little creatures’ unique appearance and inquiring behavior convinced people to keep them as pets. But before keeping these rodents as your pet, isn’t it essential to know some of their general needs and how they should be cared for? The proper well-being and care of the degu help to enhance their longevity and keep them happy. Let’s delve deep and understand how to care for these curious creatures.
Besides this, Degu’s health should be prioritized to keep them healthy and happy. The regular health and care of these pets will help to protect them from common degu illness. So, in this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what measures we should take for degu care. Let’s Move forward and explore the critical areas of degu health from their teeth/mouth to the reproductive tract.
Lifespan:
The degu should be kept in groups because they are social animals, and the estimated lifespan of a healthy and happy one is about 5-9 years.
Diet:
These rodents are susceptible to diseases if their diet is not taken correctly. It is advised to avoid giving them food that contains carbohydrates, fats, or sugar. These are the food items that are difficult for them to metabolize.
Give them food with protein, fiber, mineral, and vitamin content. You can give them grass hay, degu pellets, and fresh vegetable treats once a week. Please provide them with clean drinking water and avoid fresh or dried fruits. The food items like corn, cereals, raisins, and sunflowers are restricted.
Medical Issues:
Protect your little fellow from harmful diseases. These rodents are
susceptible to health issues if not correctly cared for. Giving them sugary food will lead to obesity and eventually diabetes because they can’t metabolize sugar. Therefore, it is advised that sugary food be avoided. If your little companion drinks more water than average days, take them to the veterinary consultant.
They are prone to liver issues, so avoiding foods high in fat, such as nuts and sunflowers, is better. Ear mites cause itching and scratching. They are also susceptible to cataracts, a genetic disorder. Ensure their health by taking them to the veterinarian.
Dust Bath & Restraint:
Like other rodents, the degu needs a dust bath to keep its fur clean and shiny. For this purpose, fill a deep cowl with fine dust and allow the degu to bathe for at least half an hour. This will maintain the degu’s coat in good condition and prevent any issues related to its skin. In addition, it is advised to handle your little fellow carefully. They are susceptible, and when kept from the tail, they will shed.
Dental Care:
Degu is defenseless against teeth-related issues. The teeth of these adorable creatures grow continuously if they are not worn down. Overgrown teeth cause problems like misalignment and malocclusion. Therefore, taking care of their teeth is an essential measure. In the wild, they chew branches and grind their teeth together, wearing down their teeth.
Pet degus are advised to be provided with chewy toys such as wooden blocks and branches. Specially designed wooden toys and cotton rope can also wear down teeth, minimizing the risk of dental issues.
Housing / Bedding:
These rodents need huge, ample space to roam and exercise. It is advised to keep them in a multi-level cage along with puzzle toys. These activities will keep them busy. Besides this, please provide them with enough bedding to allow them to dig. There should be dust-free shaving and hay in bedding that they will eat and use to build a nest. Be careful of cedar or pine shavings because those are harmful to degus. Tissues, hay, and shredded papers are some nesting materials. You can also add a nest box in their cage to ensure security.
Conclusion:
Degu are the rodents that are being kept as pets by many pet enthusiasts because of their unique appearance and curious nature. These rodents are susceptible to different diseases. Therefore, caring for these pets for a longer, healthier, and happier life is essential. Please provide them with proper housing, bedding, dental care, diet, and dust baths. Examine their behavior and identify the symptoms of diseases on time to eliminate the chances of health risks. Take them to the veterinary care if you notice any behavioral changes.
