Which of these is better (if either) for my goos?

[sofaeryrotten]

Hi there!

Currently I've got my degus on Oxbow Chinchilla food and unlimited local mixed grass hay, with the occasional oat treat. I'm coming to the end of the bag of Chinchilla food, and the following occured to me- I have guinea pigs too, and I buy their food in bulk... perhaps I could feed the goos that instead?

Chinchilla :
www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1535

Guinea Pig :
www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail;jsessionid=3D5DDFFB6B29F5CD4C4AA87BF95AC996.vipa-02b?object=1622

So, are either/both of those suitable for degus? Which is more so? Should I just scrap the idea of either and get a new food altogether?

Thanks!

[deguconvert]

The chinchilla is a definite no . . . it has cane molassas in it. And I see that the guinea pig mix does as well, so both should be avoided entirely.

Do you have access to Hagens Living World Guinea Pig Extrusion? I use this in conjunction with a mixture of seeds, hay, leaves, some veggies.

[sofaeryrotten]

I've never heard of Hagen's. I'll try to locate it.

What types of seeds, leaves, and veggies do you add?

[EDIT] www.properpet.com/hagen-extrusion-guineapig.html is that it? Still trying to find a listing with an ingredient list.

[moletteuk]

I think the choice of safe degu food in America is:
Versele-Laga Chinchilla & Degu Pro
Versele-Laga Degu Nature
Sunseed Vita Exotics Degu
Supreme Gerty Guinea Pig
Hagen Living World Guinea Pig Extrustion Feed
Exotic Nutrition Degu Complete
Sun Seed Sunaturals Guinea Pig

The bottom section of the chart in this [url=I think the choice of safe degu food in America is:
Versele-Laga Chinchilla & Degu Pro
Versele-Laga Degu Nature
Sunseed Vita Exotics Degu
Supreme Gerty Guinea Pig
Hagen Living World Guinea Pig Extrustion Feed
Exotic Nutrition Degu Complete
Sun Seed Sunaturals Guinea Pig

The bottom section of the chart in this thread shows a couple of supplementary products available in the states, the first one Dried Veggie Medley is the best.

This thread shows charts showing all sorts of things which are safe to feed your degus.

This thread shows safe plants.

It's really good to supplement commercial foods with extra plants and veggies

[sofaeryrotten]

The first 2 links wouldn't work, but that list is very helpful. I'll do some research and cost comparing...

[moletteuk]

Hmm that's weird, they are working for me, anyway it's just the 'edible plants list' and 'Vegetable, Grain, Seed & Nut Nutrition Charts' from the sticky list of this board.

[sofaeryrotten]

Couldn't find Versele or Hagen for the states online. It looks like Sunseed, Gerty, and Exotic are the best options. Anyone's goos have rave reviews for any of those? I like to buy in bulk, so Exotic is the most tempting so far (least packaging, larger quantities)- plus the list of places that use it for their goos is impressive.

EDIT- Hm, looks like the protein in Exotic might be a little high, going to compare more closely...