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Post by solado on Aug 19, 2012 10:16:55 GMT
Greetings to the forum members  As of Saturday 11th I have adopted a pair of beautiful male degu's from my local pets at home store. Unfortunately the previous owner simply didn't want them so they were abandoned to a charity the store runs... some people eh? These two guys are around 5 - 6 months old, named Bubble & Squeek. I have a few questions if I may to ensure these two get the best quality of life I can offer them. 1, I purchased these two guys some toys from ebay labeled as 'Trixie' brand who claims to be rodent friendly, could anyone confirm the wood is safe for my little guys ? 2, Every so often one of the degu's will make a loud shreek (like barking). Is this good ? or does it mean they are bored ? 3, The cage Pets at home provided me is the following size: 60 x 92 x 47cm (Height X Width X Depth) - Don't worry the mesh floor is covered no bumble foot for my babies I know the bigger the cage the better, but I don't have much money. I am putting money aside to get them something bigger but for the time being will it do ?  Below is their cage:  And here are they two little loves in all their glory:  |
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Post by Lrak on Aug 19, 2012 10:36:18 GMT
Hi I got my 2 girls the same way aswell a few weeks ago. Sorry i cant answer you questions as i am new to this as well, i just wanted to say hello and welcome  Also i have the same cage as you, and my little girls make the same sound every so often as well (not so much now as when i 1st got them) |
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Post by dusty on Aug 19, 2012 13:59:01 GMT
Hi Solado,
we have the same cage aswell, it's not ideal but I think a lot of people start off this way. Our girls are 5months now and seem quite happy in it (while we work out how to improve or get something bigger). They do apreciate a bit of out time running around so perhaps when yours have settled in properly that would be an option to make sure they have enough excersise etc.
The toys I'm not sure about, we are a little new to this aswell. There is a thread for safe woods under the diet and nutrition thread if thats any help.
Ours do a loud squeek if they get scared by anything, normally a bird flying to close to the window or this morning the thunder was a bit too loud. As they get used to their new surroundings they should calm down a bit. Do you have a nesting box or something similar for them to hide in? Cardboard boxes and tubes etc. are always welcome.
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Post by Lrak on Aug 19, 2012 15:24:12 GMT
or this morning the thunder was a bit too loud. I come from round the same was as you so i know what that thunder was like, poor little ones hid the whole time  |
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Post by stargirlj on Aug 19, 2012 16:51:44 GMT
Hi,
Welcome. I got my 2 boys the same way a year ago yesterday. They were 6 months one I got them. The squeaking is normal mine tend to do it when they are scared, or lost/separated as I had rats previously so they have a 6ft cage just for the 2 of them. I tend to buy any rodent/rabbit/guneia pig or chinchilla toys aswell as aslong as they are made with pet friendly paint then the wood is safe for the Degu. Currently my boys favourite toy is the puzzle ball you can get in pets at home (it's made of multi coloured sticks with a wooden ball inside) it is the really good value for money and it takes them at least 2-3 months to destroy it. They also love the wooden bits in the pets at home (willow) section I think it is, with all the natural treats and things in it. They love the willow stick bundle and the log with holes in it aswell. Hope this helps and I'll answer try to help you with any questions if you would. Enjoy your new Degu they are very entertaining pets.
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 19, 2012 18:02:51 GMT
Hello Solado, and welcome to the forum!! Congratulations on your new little loves, and the adventure of having and loving degus.
The shriek you are hearing is likely related to the newness of your home and all the new smells and sounds that come with it. Yes, the cage is small and a larger space is needed . . . there are members that have used a combination of stacked/joined Thickets cages to increase the overal space available to their degus. Thickets seem to be fairly available on Ebay at reasonable prices. A large number of our members also take on the endeavor of building their own cages out of wood, or repurposed furniture such as wardrobes, dresser drawers, vivariums, storage shelving etc. Have a look through the cages and housing board, where you will find all kinds of pictures of other peoples cages on a thread called, Show Us Your Cages.
So glad that you have joined our forum family!
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Post by solado on Aug 20, 2012 13:11:01 GMT
Thank you one and all for the fantastic set of information I am still unsure about the trixie branded small rodent toy / wood. While I see alot of people with it inside their cages I just want to be triple sure its ok for my little guys? Also I was in a pet store today looking at parrot ladders (wood), Are these safe ? Thanks for the warm welcome to the community |
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Post by stargirlj on Aug 20, 2012 16:30:48 GMT
Yeah all parrot ladders are fine. I use the Trixie sisal carrots as my boys love it.
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Post by ntg on Aug 23, 2012 19:12:43 GMT
Currently my boys favourite toy is the puzzle ball you can get in pets at home (it's made of multi coloured sticks with a wooden ball inside) it is the really good value for money and it takes them at least 2-3 months to destroy it. Really? Mine took a week at most, then again they are avid chewers! I got my four 2 months ago from a local rescue, I hate the cage they're in 'cause I know it's not ideal (it's 4'x2'x2') but I'm looking into buying a wardrobe and modding it. Also, I'd suggest looking at zooplus.co.uk for toys and accessories etc (they have some great prices on there - and a handy points scheme). Here's a pic of all four of them in their free-range exercise wheel. (Let's hope this attachment works as it's my first post) |
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Post by ntg on Aug 23, 2012 19:17:39 GMT
Currently my boys favourite toy is the puzzle ball you can get in pets at home (it's made of multi coloured sticks with a wooden ball inside) it is the really good value for money and it takes them at least 2-3 months to destroy it. Here's a pic of all four of them in their free-range exercise wheel. (Let's hope this attachment works as it's my first post) Apparently it didn't, whoops! Attachments:
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Post by solado on Aug 26, 2012 10:58:28 GMT
Just a quick update on my two little guys - grown really attached to them both Started a project on building them a play-pen to start with and working my way up to building them a cage. I let them out the cage now to venture around the living room (blocking off all wires ofcause), This is a picture from early this morning of squeek giving me a kiss  |
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 27, 2012 5:43:37 GMT
LOVE that picture!!! So sweet!
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Post by Lrak on Aug 27, 2012 9:39:50 GMT
Wish mine whould do things like that they just normally try to eat me |
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