New Degu not eating much

[currjay]

Hi all,

My new Degu, Wallace that I got two weeks ago doesn't seem to be eating as much as the guy at the pet store said he would. He also doesn't seem to be drinking very much, I didn't know if maybe he doesn't like his water bottle so I put a same bowl full of water into his cage but he still doesn't seem to be drinking that, I do notice him drinking a small amount from the water bottle but he drinks it with his head upside down... I'm not sure if I should worry or not, this is my first Degu.

[bouncy]

A couple of questions - who does Wallace live with, and how is his general behaviour?

[deguconvert]

Good thought, Bouncy. If Wallace is living alone, but had companions in the pet store, you could be seeing loneliness and depression as a result of the separation from his cage mates.

[moletteuk]

Hi Currjay, welcome to the forum

Drinking with the head upside down or sort of twisted sideways isn't uncommon, it actually means the bottle is a bit low, so you could try raising it a bit.

It can take degus many weeks to settle in to their new home, until they settle in their appetite may be a bit reduced. There is a massive variety of things that degus can eat, so perhaps you could try to tempt him with some different foods.

If he is on his own and you only get the one degu, would it be possible to go back to the shop and get one of his brothers to come and live with him? (Do be careful they are the same sex).

Here is our feeding guide and beginners guide:
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19754/beginners-guide-degu-keeping
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16425/degu-feeding-guide

[deguconvert]

Moletteuk, you're a genius!