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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 12:15:09 GMT
Thank you once more Teemu I do appreciate your advice and input. I’ll take the cage changes into consideration for sure, my hubby is wonderful at designing things for them, as he is a carpenter by trade but has the tools to cut and shape all kinds of materials. We are also incredibly careful to ensure it’s a safe wood and material for them. What we need to do is apply plexi glass to the sides of the cage as well to help block the bedding from spilling all out, that’s why we have the trays for now. It does make clean up more manageable. But it’s not permanent. Not to worry I appreciate your asking about the grass, and yes the pups have their supply but it was hidden in the back. We make sure all our girls get their hay/grass filled up. Thank you for confirming Pepper’s gender that’s a huge relief to get a second opinion. I’m going to try and get clear photos of the pups to post as soon as I have a chance.
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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 12:51:42 GMT
Oh and just reading back to make sure I answered or replied to everything, I followed your advise from the get go and I have been saving each of their substrate to mix in with the clean bedding when I do my weekly clean up, as well I have kept the bathing sand as is and they take turns going into it. Although it is over so for a change so I will need to do a dump, and put fresh sand. I agree I find it unusual for Willow to be accepted by both but after the very first bad intro I have been very much on guard when I allow pepper to mingle with Willow, the moment she grooms her I’m watching like a hawk. And yes as they grow up with time I won’t take this peace for granted and will always monitor them carefully. I have taken all advice regarding a small second cage into mind as well as the changes to the current cage. I won’t rush anything and will most certainly take my time.
Thanks again for all this help. The support has been so wonderful !!!
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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 12:55:27 GMT
Side question… Not concerned, just want to know more for interest.
Why is it that the pups try to ride the same wheel?! There are one of each of them and they are the same with the exception of colour. They don’t fight or hurt eachother about it, but it’s just funny that they will both be in the same wheel not going anywhere lol.
Another question… Pepper at time drags her bum on the floor when walking. Is that normal? Is that the “scenting” I read about ? Her bottom looks healthy, you can see in the first photo I sent earlier.
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Post by savvy on Aug 10, 2023 13:23:19 GMT
Its the age old problem of kids, or in this case pups, they want what the other one has, and running with a friend is fun. Even the adults will run together.
Bum dragging is both scent marking and laying trails. Degu urine is luminous in UV light and they can use the trails to navigate in the dark. If you have a black light, shine it on their favourite wheel or around their cage and you'll see the urine trails.
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Post by teemu on Aug 10, 2023 13:31:01 GMT
Okay, it sounds like you're being very careful and very serious about things, so that's great! Having a carpenter in the house will also make those cage changes much less of a hurdle. If you want some examples of how people have set up cages, this topic has a lot of good ones you can take a look at for inspiration: deguworld.proboards.com/thread/6918/show-cageI'm fairly certain that one of the pups is also confirmed female, but if you can get pictures of both, it of course won't hurt to take another look.
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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 17:10:58 GMT
Oh and I just realized I forgot to answer one of your questions. Yes the cage was designed with a removable piece to allow accessibility for all the girls to go up and down and throughout
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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 17:12:45 GMT
Thank you Saavy! That makes perfect sense then. So it all sounds normal, lol. Toddlers and pepper scent marking. That makes me feel better 😌
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Post by alexana on Aug 10, 2023 17:14:13 GMT
Thanks Teemu I will take a look at that link. And yes I want to be sure so I’d rather you have another look as the photos with the pups were not very well taken. Pepper was easy because she’s so used to us even she still tries to escape to the floor lol.
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