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Post by silvergerbil on May 21, 2011 21:02:35 GMT
Hiya,
One of my goo's and it is just one of the boys has an odd tendancy to walk around and chew on the bars, he goes from one side across to another... Then he will stop and do it again but on the other side of the cage... Not all the time its only every now and then.
Is there any reason for this? Is there anything i can give him or do that can perhaps persuade him not to do it?
x
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Post by kovu07 on May 21, 2011 21:05:18 GMT
Completly normal, it's just something some degus do. I'm not sure if there is anyway to persuade him to stop, as I assume he has an exciting cage full of toys and wood to chew anyway.
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Post by fredundant on May 21, 2011 21:58:38 GMT
Don't worry it's 100% normal and never gets less annoying, especially after lights out. A reason can be to grind there teeth down. You could try aiberal block for them to gnaw at. That may help.
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Post by silvergerbil on May 22, 2011 17:07:20 GMT
Ah thought i would ask, i figured it may be something i can't stop. Yep there is loads of stuff in there, hammock, rope bird perch (was ) wooden shape things on a chain (from P&H), branch of apple wood from my garden, wheels, wooden nest box. There is LOADS of things in there to chew, he just prefers the bars x
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Post by kovu07 on May 22, 2011 17:19:02 GMT
Sometimes, no matter what you do, a degu will prefer to chew the bars
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Post by weeble on May 27, 2011 1:24:21 GMT
I read some where (I can't remember where sorry) that degu's chew their cage bars to try and get out of the cage to expand their "territory" (sp?). I don't know if thats true or not.
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Post by philbailey1806 on May 27, 2011 1:31:49 GMT
I read the same thing as weeble, some degus just aren't happy with what they've got lol, I also read that a way of getting them to stop chewing the bars is to gently tap their nose (as they're doing it) and say no! in a sharp tone. From what I've heard, they soon get the message and stop.
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Post by weeble on May 27, 2011 12:43:36 GMT
Right I can only assume as goo's are burrowers (from what I have read up) that they are doing this as they want to expand their "burrow". I'd go along the same way as you would treat a gerbil, theres no harm in trying really is there. With gerbils when they chew or window burrow you just have to give them extra things to class as a burrow. This is only a guess, I do not know if I'm correct or not with Goo's as I'm no expert, really just a guess. Maby try to create a burrow in their cage and burry their tubes that lead into their bed box. Or give them a digging box. I know they sell small ones where you can see what they are doing inside, but if you can't find a big enough one then you could either make one yourself, or just buy a big box and fill it with shop brought dirt, the ones without compost (I think that's what it is) and a mix of chin sand. This way they can burrow and dig. Really read up about wild degu's and see what their natural habits are. SO you have a wheel? As this mimic's their fouraging behaviours. I guess it's because in the wild goo's are on the move always to try and find fouraging stuff. SO the running mimics their fouraging habits. This is what I've read up.. Maby also allow them to fourage by placing things in the cage. Hide their fouraging stuff in things, on things, under things, etc. Also have things to chew on, my goo's love their coconut shells. Make sure the skin is out as it's too high in protien I think this web site said... sorry I can't remember the web site... I'm awful I know.. The coconut shell is really good for their teeth, but can also be doubled up as a treat hider. I like how they have set up this vivarium, you could always take some idea's to put in your cage. I personally like to give my animals a set up in their cage that is most like that they'd get in the wild. crittery.co.uk/articles/vivariumfurnish.phpThey also have other ideas on this web site I hope I have helped
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