Fur Chewing?

[amie]

I'm not sure if this is anything to worry about, but I've noticed that Sammy's paws are black and have no fur. All my others have white fur on their paws. He doesn't. This might sound a little stupid on my part, but his paws have been black for wuite a while and I never thought anything of it until today. It finally clicked that it could be fur chewing. However, I've never seen him chewing his paws which is why the thought had never popped into my head. He's in a very big cage with LOTS to do and he lives with his bother Dean. I couldn't fit many more toys in their cage even if I wanted too lol.

Any ideas on whether it is fur chewing and why?

Thanks:)

[deguconvert]

Yes, they do indulge in fur chewing. It can result from boredom, but it can also result from anxiety. Now, don't panic, these are merely the two most noted reasons that a degu may begin to chew their fur. I have two that just do . . . one of them started it, and then about six months later I noticed that his brother had started as well. Now they both sport bald forepaws, but the third degu continues to keep his socks on quite nicely. We have lots for them to do, FOUR wheels in the cage so they are never without something to run on, branches, toys, etc. They are healthy and happy. I've not been able to determine why they do it. I think some just do.

[amie]

Thanks for the reply

He doesn't have any bald patches. He just has little black front paws, lol. I've never seen him chewing his fur off either. Strange little boy he is. I'm pretty sure he hasn't had hair on them since I got him. Perhaps I'll send him to therapy, yes? lol.

[deguconvert]

LOL! . . . so long as your therapist has a nice comfy hammock I think it'll work great!

[amie]

Oh, don't mentioned hammocks to me right now. I just visited Hammocky Hammacks the other day and.... ugh.... I spent £42 before I even knew what I'd done, lol. They've all got new hammocks and tunnels on the way now

[kovu07]

Opps sounds like some impulsive buys

[amie]

A little, yes, but.... mmmm.... sod it! lol. They needed new hammocks and tunnels Well, they have hammocks and tunnels, so I guess I'll rephrase that. 'I' needed new hammocks and tunnels because the ones they have at them moment don't match! All of them will now have red and yellow fluffy things lol. On the plus side though, when you buy things from Hammocky Hammocks, the money goes towards helping resuced animals

[kovu07]

Haha, at not matching heaven forbid if you redecorate the room they are in ;D They sound like very spoilt and well loved goos though, and I will have to check out Hammocky hammocks (brill name)

[amie]

Oh, I know. I bought a cage for Sammy and Dean and then I couldn't find the exact same cage for Stefan and Damon so the two cages we're matching. So.... I sold Sammy and Dean's cage and bought two new cages that I could get that were the same! ( the ones I have now) LOL. I lost about £50 doing that in the long run. I've just bought a little half size version of the same cage for Elijah. I'm pretty weird about things matching. I do in a way, see their cages as my little dolls houses..... lol.

[kovu07]

Haha best keep my eye out for any bargins you have for sale then, since everything has to be matching although at least the goos can't get jealous. What cages do they have? (nosey emotion)

[amie]

I don't know.... Stefan kicks off when he can hear Elijah with a new toy! lol. I do over compensate with Elijah when it comes to toys. I buy him lots to do, much more than the others because he's on his own. He lives next to Stefan and Damon and Stefan just seems to get right annoyed when Elijah's got something that he hasn't! (Not sure if you've read much about my little pika-bears, but Stefan is a nightmare! He's nine months old and just never stops. He's a naughty, cheeky, little bully! lol).

[kovu07]

Nods i've read a little about them, poor Elijah