I think my degus hate me

[maxxie]

Im new to this whole pet thing. i have 2 degus and they're my first pets. i heard they're very interactive and social animals, so i kept trying to interact with them by giving treats or getting them used to the smell of my hand when i first got them. they seemed scared or hesitant. seemed natural so i ddint bother them too much, so they could get used to the new environment people. well its been over a year now and they still dont let me or anyone else touch them. if you try petting them or even touching them they run away. i dont know what ive done wrong or if i can fix this now.

[bouncy]

First of all, don't panic! Degus are a law unto themselves, and are tricky for experienced pet owners, let alone new ones.

At the top of each section, you'll see threads with drawing pins through them. This is all base information, and worth a read!

Ok. Basically, degus and very intelligent and super sensitive. Take your time with them. Let them get used to their new environment first. When they're more settled, just let them get used to you sitting by the cage, then start talking with them. Then start offering treats once they're used to you through the bars, then just placing your hand in the cage. Just take tiny steps at their pace.

A word of warning. Degus are only really handled on their terms. Don't try to pick them up, grab, or stroke them. Let them come to you, climb over you, and take your time. Mine hate me stroking them, but will happily climb up and sit on my leg, shoulder, or head.

[moletteuk]

I would really recommend a playpen, or making a safe place in a room or part of a room where you can let them have (always supervised) playtime, and you just sit in there with them and let them get used to you. Depending on the degus jumping capability any sort of pen or room divider will need solid walls that are at least 60cm high. Put tiny treats like small seeds on your legs and wait for them be brave enough to stay and eat them from you. You can start with high value treats that they can run away with, but work up to things that they have to stay in your company to eat. Sesame or flax seeds can work for this, or you could break dandelion root into tiny pieces. Also wear something loose and cosy, dressing gowns are great for tempting degus to snuggle in. The key really is to wait and let them come to you, don't try to touch them. Remember degus have two weaknesses - treats and heat.

They probably trust you more than you realise, they just prefer not to be petted and they have trained you to comply, I think you would find they would find the arms of strangers in their cage a lot more scary than you.

[laiyah]

I'll be honest, I don't think my degus 'love me'. (I'm on my phone so if you ever see me talk about drugs, it's my autocorrect.)

They are very independent and since they're already in a group, they're less likely in need of your touch. My degus don't mind jumping on me, but I can only vaguely caress them on their head when they have the supra treats and ONLY if they don't feel like I could be fighting for their food.

Their trust is... coming back when they realize it's you, calming down when you appear to their squeaks, sending you angry looks because you didn't feed them fast enough.

I think their love is somewhat close to the cat's. They have their way and it's their terms, not yours kind of way ?

[klbishop]

Degu love in my experience is very similar to a cats or more independent animals. Laiyahs analogy is spot on, we are their butlers and just the 'help', moments of affection are entirely on their terms and you have to work hard to gain this. I would not have it any other way :-) having had degus the past 15 years all with their own quirks I have loved every second of their company.

Ive had 2 solos at different times and whilst we put in every effort to bond them into new packs they remained solo and would love a scritch under their chins and would chitter away when I sat next to them talking. For diego and? loki the interaction was more about more their needs and I would much rather them have lived in a pack.

My triplets climbed all over and liked to walk about on my shoulder, they were handled and used to being picked up as they would play with their previous human in an open room so had built up trust. This took a very long time and when we fostered them it took time for them to build up trust in us.

My current pack are 2 blended groups all rescues coming to us after periods of time in rescue settings, we are going slow again and each day a few times there is a reason for them to come up to my hands (food reinforcers !) but we are still a million miles from getting on my hands. Although the biggest girl (mouse) had a stroke today whilst having a higher value treat (pea flake). hope this helps, you are loved but in a unique way to degus