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Post by Aztomak on Feb 11, 2011 18:52:21 GMT
Hey everyone, Well I'm getting Degus at the end of this month and just had a general inquiery. As far as weeing and pooing goes, it's natural and doesn't bother be at all. I was just wondering how excessive it is because I hear mixed views. Do they really completely cover you in wee and poo (I know they scent mark but drench you in the stuff?) or is it just the odd bit here and there? Tbh it wouldn't bother me if it's excessive I was just wondering for a general question  Cheers guys, Brad |
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Post by Cherpi on Feb 11, 2011 20:28:15 GMT
They'll pee in one area and poo everywhere in the cage, but it aint too bad, mine poo on two of the shelves and on the floor, and pee on one of the shelves but I use rodent cleaner and a toothbrush and u can't even see a stain, poo is easy to sweep up, I do spot cleaning every time I feed them, it's really not hard and doesnt smell etc etc unless you leave the pee
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Post by emz on Feb 11, 2011 22:47:59 GMT
When I have my degus out their cage to play they will pretty much never pee or poo. The pee is quite rare. They certainly do go in their cage though and a lot! ;D
My degus only poo outside their cage whilst they're in the pen I have for them so they're out the way when I am cleaning their cage. As soon as the hoover goes on - poo all over!
Degu poo is firm and none messy though so it isn't really a problem and my large enclosure only needs cleaning once a month, so it isn't too much of a big deal for me. Hooray for DIY cages! If you have a normal mesh/bar cage bought from a store be prepared for pee on the walls sometimes and poo flicked out of their cage.
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Post by brydyslass on Feb 12, 2011 10:19:14 GMT
Sounds like I am unlucky - I am the degu porta potty!! I suppose because I have a pair and a solo they all want to assert their dominance over their mutual space, i.e. me. It doesn't bother me though as usually it doesn't smell. I do have to remember to change jumpers before I go out though as family members and friends do get a bit concerned when they find droppings on their carpets if I forget !  Hubby won't come near me till I have had a shower either ;D, so it does have its advantages! lol |
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Post by Aztomak on Feb 13, 2011 21:00:25 GMT
Ah right I didn't realise the poo droppings were firm. Would it be possible to fit something to the cage to stop poo flicking and wee on the walls? I.e. perspex or some sort of this plastic see-through sheet on the outside of the cage? So long as the opening to the cage is free?
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Post by malteser60 on Feb 14, 2011 12:53:05 GMT
Yup, the beauty of degus being on a low protein, lots of hay diet. Their poo is quite hard and not smelly, so it's easy to clean up. I just vaccuum everything. Some people here build cages out of old cabinet and shelves, so it's all enclosed and the poo/wee stays in. Those with wire cages either line the key areas of the cage with perspex, cardboard, etc. Others don't do anything and just put up with the poo flinging. Degus normally don't tend to wee out of the cage when they're in it - no projectile wee that is. at least mine don't. So when they're in the cage it's only poo and substrate/hay that will be kicked out.
Personally, I have a wire cage, which I've just redesigned. I've got two big shelves with a ledge on the front, and the back and sides have a thin wood wall to stop the substrate from falling out. It's not ideal, but I prefer it to having no substrate as their wee will eventually soak into the wood and then it just starts to smell in general.
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