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Degu Care: Am I the Pet For You?

How long can I live?

I have a lifespan of five to 10 years if you take good care of me every day!

What size am I?

I am the size of a pet rat. I have a long tail, large eyes and mouse-like ears.

What colour am I?

I am brownish-gray and the tips of my hairs are black.

What's my personality like?

I am very social. I make excited chittering sounds or gentle coos. I also like to live with one of my kind. Please don’t keep males and females together or they will have babies!

What do I need to be healthy and happy?

Home, Sweet Home: I need lots of space! Make sure that my large cage has a solid bottom. Keep it in a dry, draft-free room out of direct sunlight. Cover the floor with aspen or pine shavings, recycled paper or corncob bedding. No cedar shavings please! I also like a nesting box filled with torn, unscented white tissue. And keep my home clean!

Water: I need a steady supply of fresh water in a sipper bottle.

Chow Time: I like guinea pig mix or chinchilla pellets. I also need fresh hay. Fresh vegetables are also good for me sometimes. Never give me fruit or food with sugar! For a treat, I can have nuts, seeds or puffed rice.

Exercise: I need regular exercise outside my cage. I do like an exercise wheel, but make sure that I don't hurt my feet. If you let me loose in a room, please remove all electrical cords and dangerous items and block gaps under appliances and furniture. A playpen is also a great place. Always keep a close eye on me!

Stuff to chew: I like to chew or gnaw on pieces of untreated wood and cardboard rolls to keep my teeth worn down.

Handling: I'm not crazy about being handled, but it's important to keep me tame. Please let me come to you. I might crawl into the palm of your hand. Never pick me up by the tail!

Dust Bath: I know it sounds strange, but I like to roll in dust to stay clean! Fill a large ceramic bowl with chinchilla dust. Put it in my cage. This should be changed two to three times a week.

Veterinary Care: It’s a good idea to find a veterinarian who knows about degus. I'm prone to having respiratory disease, teeth problems and diabetes. Take me to the animal doctor if I'm not eating or drinking or have diarrhea.