How to Keep a Pet Degu

A degu is a member of Octodon genus and usually refers specifically to Octodon degus. It is a small rodent native to Chile and closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degus are highly social and should be kept in groups because they normally engage in coordinated group activities such as burrowing, foraging and caring for young. The following steps will show how to keep a pet degu.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Keep degus in groups. It is extremely important to keep degus at least in pairs, even same sex ones. However, the ideal group is one male and three or four females, which more closely duplicates the typical arrangement in the wild.
2. Use an enclosure of at least 15 gallons per animal. Aquariums or multilevel wire cages are good choices but the floors should always be solid to protect their feet.
3. Provide a nesting box with an absorbent layer of bedding. The best nesting material is tissue or paper towels; shredded paper and hay are acceptable as well. Cedar or pine shavings should not be used.
4. Feed your degus chinchilla or guinea pig pellets, but preferably both. Degus need a diet low in carbohydrates, fats and especially sugar. Degus should never be given fruits. Nuts are also unhealthy for them.
5. Provide a large exercise wheel with a solid surface. Degus will spend hours on a wheel if given the opportunity. Degus also need several dust baths per week with chinchilla dust or other fine sand. Other cage furnishings should include branches on which to chew and climb.