degu age

[deguconvert]

Yeah . . . that is a tough one, Skauwt! She may suffer and pine, especially if they have had a very close relationship. What are your thoughts about future degu ownership? Are you wanting to continue, or do you feel that these two will be your last?

[moletteuk]

Hi Skauwt, I recognise your name, but it's been a long time!

What kind of lifespans have you been seeing?

We used to say 5 to 8yrs, now I would say 7 to 8 years, maybe even 7 to 9, something like that. It varies quite a lot, quite a few make it over 10, occasionally 13 or 14 even! Sometimes dental issues can create complications so that 5 to 7 is doing well. I have two almost 7yr olds and one looks as good as she ever has and the other has breathing issues and looks much older.

I think with a remaining last degu it depends on the degu, sometimes they will rapidly get depressed and need a new friend, even if that means you have to rehome them elsewhere, other times they are tired and crotchety and might do better with human company, heatpad and soft toy if you have reason to think they don't have long left and might get very annoyed with new friends. A carefully chosen similar aged new friend is probably the best solution, but necessarily that easy to find and arrange.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't put the other one down just because the one needs to.

[Deleted]

Why does she have to be alone the remainder of her life? She could find a friend? You could rehome her to someone who would love her and take care of her?

[Deleted]

Why exclusive female, sorry?

[Deleted]

She could go with a neutered male, a female or a group. There's this forum to help you rehome her, there's rescues, groups online etc.

[yasmin]

Looks like we are missing the original post.

[deguconvert]

I see that. I don't know why it is gone. Skauwt must have removed it? He was a frequent member on the forum a while back, and it was really great to see him on!