A degu for me! hopefuly!

[panicckk]

so i wanted to get a gerbil, but found out about degus , i worte this post for gerbils, but i also have the same questions as well
Hi everyone! im new, and im one of the biggest animal lovers ever. im 17, turning 18 in 9 days.
i cant imagen my future without animals in my life. i had about 6- 7 hamsters when i was younger, and then my parents gave my my beloved baby babs (my bunny (R.I.P )) she died of a horrible disease, and i used every paycheck i could to keep her healthy, but she sadly didnt make it.
I applied at a humane society voleentering, and i have 3 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 birds. ha i cant stay away from them!. anyways. i was hoping for my birthday, i could ask for the gift of permission to buy myself a pet, that i could call my own. i treid for a ferret a few months ago, but they are highly against me getting a pet.. which im sort of sensing they wont allow a degu either, but i would like to try. i just have some questions, that i could use to share with my parents, hoping its good . they are SOO against us getting another pet, but its worth a try.

So, i would love to own a hamster, but what i disliked, was that the cage smelt constantly, and every time i brought them out of the cage, they pooped in a constant line. they sometimes bit, and never liked to comunicate with me. i still loved them dearly

Im assuming a degu is close, but could you guys answere these for me:
1. are degus a social animal with humans? (i.e- like to sit and relax with you, are interested in you, follow your movement ect.)
2. do they poop or pee when they are out of their cage? or are they more controlling of their bladder?
3. my sister likes bunnies becasue they were so loving, and loved to be around us, could degus be the same? (basicaly like number 1)
4.are they good pets to have to keep us entertained? do they bite?
me and my sister dont do anything in our lives which is why i also think this would be a god idea.
thanks guys!
im thinking this wont happen for us, but if it does, i will deff update! ;D

[emz]

A degu won't sit around, they're energetic and only a select few find their degu letting them hold/cuddle with them. They will climb about you and are very loving if treat right though.

They poo and pee everywhere. It is a way of marking where they go so they don't get lost. You can't potty train them.

Degus will rarely bite and are usually docile. If you scare them though prepare for possibly being nipped. It stings quite a bit afterwards too.

They are a big commitment. They need a large cage and they can be costly animals (especially if they get sick, a lot of vets don't know them yet as they're an exotic pet.) Make sure you're ready for this commitment before choosing whether or not to get goos.

-Emma.

[panicckk]

oh.. really?? they didnt seem so hard to take care of when i read up on it, but then again, you guys know what your talking about. hmm... well.
i talked to my dad about it again, and he didnt seem to happy about the thought of one.... my chances are still very slim. but o well.
but ill tell you all what happens!

[emz]

If you can show your dad you can handle the responsibility yourself I am sure he will let you.

A more manageable (and extremely adorable) pet is a guinea pig. I use to have a few and they were so cute and easy to manage. They still poo about but you can cuddle them on a blanket so they don't make a mess.

What pet you get is up to you though as long as it is well taken care of.

[Gemma]

My 4 degus can be handled, but don't stay still long enough to sit on your hand. (Unless you treat them) They climb all over me.
When out of the cage they chew everything, poo on everything and pee on everything!!
They need a hell of a lot of attention (if your kind), and their cage stinks after just a couple of days of cleaning it!
I don't think they are the kind of animals that you think they are. I agree with Emz, maybe you could consider another pet.
Don't get me wrong, I love my degus, but they are a big tie, commitment and responsibility. And they are sooooooooooooooo messy & stinky!!

[hybrid]

Yeah, check out my PM I sent you. I would agree with Gemma on what she has said, except that my two girls still can't be handled unless they are crawling on to my hand to get a treat.