Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jun 20, 2010 7:51:15 GMT
Here is a small piece of advice for new degu owners or soon-to-be owners.
You most likely did some research into degus before getting them and like most people, you probably came across two websites or books that contradict each other.
Many aspects of degu keeping, such as size of the cage, diet, safe/toxic woods etc, are still being debated.
You may have read something on one site and read something different on this forum or on another site.
We often get questioned by new members who are confused because of having read contradicting information. You only want what is best for your degus, but what do you do when you read from two sources that contradict each other ? What will you choose to believe and what will you dismiss ?
The first thing I would like to tell you is that although some sites may claim this...there is no "one stop website" that will tell you everything you need to know about degus.
You need to read from different sources, talk to experienced ones and see what worked for them and what didnt.
You need to decide for yourself, what you want to do.
For example, you may read that a certain type of wood is safe for degus, or that a type of bedding is appropriate, but then read something totally different from another source.
What are you supposed to believe ?
The best way to form your own beliefs is to try and do more research on the matter. Read up as much as you can. There are so many tools available on the web.
If you are fluent in two or three languages, you are blessed.
Use your linguistic skills to research sources in different languages. For those that only read/speak english, use Google Translate to get information from websites in other languages.
Forums are a great way of communicating with other degu owners. You have the chance to learn from the experiences of others...put this to good use.
Youtube is also another fantastic way of learning.
Talk to degu owners from other countries, see what information they have on a subject you are researching. There is a very large community of European degu owners on Youtube...many of which can speak english.
Never base your opinion on one website alone.
Read from as many books and websites as possible.
Once you have taken in all this info on an aspect of degu keeping, you will be better placed to decide for yourself if this is something you want to give yours degus or place in their cage...or whatever you are researching.
Read, discuss, ask questions....research, research and research....that is the key.
You should never have to ask someone "are you sure ?" and base your decision on what the other person says.
You are the one that should be sure. You can do this by using some of the ressources mentioned above.
Take in as much info as you can, then you will be able to make a decision for yourself.
You may decide that something is safe or that it is not.
Whatever your decision, you will be a lot more comfortable about it after having done your research.
You most likely did some research into degus before getting them and like most people, you probably came across two websites or books that contradict each other.
Many aspects of degu keeping, such as size of the cage, diet, safe/toxic woods etc, are still being debated.
You may have read something on one site and read something different on this forum or on another site.
We often get questioned by new members who are confused because of having read contradicting information. You only want what is best for your degus, but what do you do when you read from two sources that contradict each other ? What will you choose to believe and what will you dismiss ?
The first thing I would like to tell you is that although some sites may claim this...there is no "one stop website" that will tell you everything you need to know about degus.
You need to read from different sources, talk to experienced ones and see what worked for them and what didnt.
You need to decide for yourself, what you want to do.
For example, you may read that a certain type of wood is safe for degus, or that a type of bedding is appropriate, but then read something totally different from another source.
What are you supposed to believe ?
The best way to form your own beliefs is to try and do more research on the matter. Read up as much as you can. There are so many tools available on the web.
If you are fluent in two or three languages, you are blessed.
Use your linguistic skills to research sources in different languages. For those that only read/speak english, use Google Translate to get information from websites in other languages.
Forums are a great way of communicating with other degu owners. You have the chance to learn from the experiences of others...put this to good use.
Youtube is also another fantastic way of learning.
Talk to degu owners from other countries, see what information they have on a subject you are researching. There is a very large community of European degu owners on Youtube...many of which can speak english.
Never base your opinion on one website alone.
Read from as many books and websites as possible.
Once you have taken in all this info on an aspect of degu keeping, you will be better placed to decide for yourself if this is something you want to give yours degus or place in their cage...or whatever you are researching.
Read, discuss, ask questions....research, research and research....that is the key.
You should never have to ask someone "are you sure ?" and base your decision on what the other person says.
You are the one that should be sure. You can do this by using some of the ressources mentioned above.
Take in as much info as you can, then you will be able to make a decision for yourself.
You may decide that something is safe or that it is not.
Whatever your decision, you will be a lot more comfortable about it after having done your research.
