Very fast, contstant, loud squeak - worried

[s]

My degu Daewoo woke us up just now squeaking really loudly and quickly. It just will not stop. It's really very loud and doesn't seem like any sound we've heard before. He doesn't seem scared - it seems bodily/involuntary. We're worried about his health because it's so constant and it must be tiring. He's been at it for about 30 minutes.

Wondering what to do?? 😢

Any help gratefully appreciated.

[savvy]

My degus do it as well, both mail and female. Its a bit scary, but quite normal. The squeaking should taper off when he's gotten his point across.

[s]

Thank you!

He stopped squeaking after about an hour.

When we looked up various sounds, the closest we found was the "post-mating bark". However, he doesn't have a cage mate so I'm not sure why he would do that. I guess he's a big healthy 2.5yo boy so it could be something mating-related.

It was weird, because he was acting totally normally but just squeaking like crazy. We thought he might be panicking or have a health problem.

Anyway, hopefully it doesn't happen again, especially not at 5am. 😭

[deguconvert]

Male degus are very active and skilled at self pleasuring. Which, once they start to do it, they are not shy about repeating. I would say that you very likely did hear the bold and loudly repeated mating bark. So, hopefully not again at 5:00 AM, and hopefully not during a dinner party.

[laiyah]

So... I don't know if it's the same for me, but my degus often repeat squeaking and only stops once I've come into the room. I usually come in and squeak back for the hell of it and then I can go back to sleep...

Not sure the reason, but I suspect they just got spooked by a random noise and wanted me informed. (I have gotten somewhat used to it... and fall back asleep)

[savvy]

The females tend to do it when they're coming off heat, its almost a 'last chance' call to the males.

[laiyah]

:') You've definitely made me reconsider getting a neutered male to create a trio. (The rescue I got them from got a lonely neutered male.)

I can only imagine what they'll do if an ACTUAL male comes in the picture.

[savvy]

I've got four females (Sphene, Willow, Freya the Warrior Queen and Nervous Nerys) and one male (Mr Clint Eastwood) so I know exactly what happens.

Poor Clint gets no peace from whichever girl is on heat as they keep following him and calling the equivalent of 'hey handsome, come and get me!' He shows a little interest, usually just a look and then goes back to sleep, lol.

[bouncy]

I've only got boys, and they all do the bark thing. Frustrating, but unavoidable!