kiko
Newborn Degu
Posts: 1
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Post by kiko on Mar 16, 2011 17:52:55 GMT
Hiya, KiKo here (: I've joined for a bit more info on the 4 gorgeous boys I've just been given - 3 agouti and (I think)one blue, male degus. We took them on in a bit of a rush and didn't have much of a chance to research, although having owned all sorts before and now, we don't seem to be doing too bad (: I know the basics from reading up beforehand but in terms of foods, bedding etc. I could do with a bit of educating! Hope to have a good time here and meet some fellow degu (and chin!) lovers, although I currently don't have a chin. Our current zoo includes cockatiels, a meyers parrot, a senegal parrot, 3 budgies, 2 lovebirds, a sun conure, a green cheek conure, 10 hamsters (approx!), a very elderly gerbil,a lionhead rabbit, a guineapig, and two african pygmy hedgehogs - and the degus obviously!
KiKo xX
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Post by degus123 on Mar 16, 2011 18:46:23 GMT
A good food for them is Degu Nuggets as a basic food. These can be found in many places. These can then be added to with treats such as oats, dried pasta, shelled nuts and etc. The treats should only be given as the name suggests- as a treat. Timings very from once a week to once a month, though oats are ok to be given daily. There is alot of things which Degus can not eat, the short answer is to avoid citrus and sugar. If you google "Degutopia" there is alot of info on food to give and avoid. Ragarding bedding alot of people use Finacard or Carefresh. You should not use paper or wood based cat litter, as these are dangerous to Degus. You could also use toilet paper or shredded blank paper. These would obviously smell after being pee'd on but make a good top up of carefresh or fincard. Indeed chuck in some sheets of kitchen or toilet roll and watch them entertain themselves ripping it up to make bedding.
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Post by Cherpi on Mar 16, 2011 21:54:34 GMT
For food I use the Pets at Home Pellets, at first they didn't like them (because I mixed with another food that they LOVED but really cost too much) but now they can't get enough... you can give them treats like veggies, peppers, carrots etc etc. I wouldn't give them fruit... I've never done it and don't think I ever will. I use normal shavings for the floor of my cage, I did try and use a towel once (experiment) and it stank after about 3 hours, I'll never do that again! Don't use things that expand when wet because they will block your degu's system and will most probably (if not definatley) kill them. For their bedding just throw in a toilet roll tube (with like half the toilet roll still on it) they'll rip it apart and shove it in their bed and sleep with it, I give mine a ripped up old top and a sock and it's the perfect bed, they'll be warm and it gives them a 'wild' experience as they have to make their bed themselves. Another thing which I do is I place some food, some small treats and some hay into a cardboard egg box and shake it up then place it at the bottom of the cage, they'll go crazy for it! Good luck with the little goo's.
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 17, 2011 3:59:15 GMT
"Don't use things that expand when wet because they will block your degu's system and will most probably (if not definatley) kill them. " Quoted from directly above . . . Cherpi means, should the degu gnaw on the substance that expands when exposed to water, and then ingest said substance, it will then expand inside the degu's stomach or intestine, causing either a blockage or a rupture, which would then kill the degu. Just making it clear that the substance must be ingested before causing death. Mere proximity isn't an issue. LOL! HOWEVER . . . degus cannot resist the temptation to try their teeth on anything and everything (something like babies and toddlers) and so it is best to just keep such products well and far away.
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 17, 2011 14:37:14 GMT
Hi Kiko! Glad to see you made it over from the hamster forum :-)
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Post by amie on Mar 17, 2011 14:43:32 GMT
"degus cannot resist the temptation to try their teeth on anything and everything (something like babies and toddlers)" Stefan ate a baby once
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 17, 2011 14:58:02 GMT
ROTFL!! Are saying my post sounds like they (degus) like try their teeth on babies or toddlers? LOL!!! I can certainly see that! Let me clarify: just like babies and toddlers are known to stuff any tiny bit of fluff or bit of something into their mouths to gum, chew, drool, and swallow . . . degus will put their sharp little teeth to any bit of wood, painted surface, fabric, or "found treasure" to gnaw, gnaw, gnaw, and swallow . . . or to tuck away in their little hiding place as a bit of glorious treasure over which they can spend SECONDS gloating before they go out in search of more glorious treasure.
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Post by amie on Mar 17, 2011 15:03:34 GMT
Not at all DC. I'm not one to point out minor things like that! lol. I just wanted to make a 'funny'.... hehe....
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 17, 2011 18:00:58 GMT
I definitely saw the funny!! LOL!!!
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Post by Cherpi on Mar 17, 2011 20:05:51 GMT
Thanks for making that clear DC
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