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Post by jennyjoy on Sept 30, 2012 17:32:07 GMT
Hi. Here I am, again, with another question about Ron, who recently had his tail amputated because of an infection. Everyone was so awesome with their advice! Anyway, Ron has lost a bit of weight (15grams), now he is eating his pellets, hay and drinking water so this is good. I'm just wondering if it's because he's using more energy escaping from his playpen? It's made from chicken wire and degu approved wood and it's 3 feet by 5 feet so it's a decent size. They have many toys to play with in there. There are cereal cardboard boxes that go all away around and they're about halfway up. So he's obviously using energy to get past the cardboard level. I'm going to be putting the cardboard around the top edges to make it more difficult for him to get out. However, in the meantime, I would like to know if this could explain some weight loss? It's funny how his brother Harry doesn't try to escape!
And maybe advice on how to spruce up the playpen. Thanks again! Jenny
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Post by jennyjoy on Sept 30, 2012 17:37:14 GMT
And the playpen is 3 feet high!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2012 19:11:37 GMT
Hmm, I don't have a playpen but mine don't seem to want to come out of the cage when I open the doors. They are just happy to come over to me but not out so I must be doing something right! How to spruce up the playpen? Hmm..well mine seem to like toys that make them think. For instance, I put an egg box in full of treats, hay and a couple of bells. I closed it and wrapped some hay around the opening. It took them ages to open it and they enjoyed doing it. It's always good to put some tasks in their. Also rearrange the playpen a lot and clean the toys - this will mean that the degu gets a new experience and will want to be curious and try out everything. Hopefully this will eliminate part of the escape artist within him!
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 30, 2012 19:55:12 GMT
Extra activity can certainly affect their weight. 15g isn't too much but is definitely something to keep a close eye on and try to figure out the cause. As always with weight loss you need to make sure he is eating well, not selectively eating at all and essentially no sign of teeth problems. Have you had a browse in the diet section? it's really beneficial to add variety to degu diets by adding in all types of plants, veg and seeds. Perhaps for the playpen you could try and get some really big sheets of cardboard to cover the chicken wire - I take it the chicken wire is 'distracting' him because he can see the other side and it's quite easy to climb? If you ask in Currys or Comet or other shop selling big items they will usually happily let you take their big cardboard boxes away. I think some degus are just more ambitious than others about expanding their empire  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2012 20:01:38 GMT
I agree with Molette  I guess some degus are more ambitious than others, mine come right to the edge of the cage and I can even leave the room but they don't come out of the cage. Joey tried once (he's the adventurer) but I put him back in and when he went to the wheel I gave him a treat so I think he knows that inside is better than outside now! I only got them yesterday but it feels like I've had them for years!! |
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Post by Kins on Oct 1, 2012 8:22:24 GMT
What is his actual weight? Mine vary wildly and as long as they look healthy I don't worry too much |
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Post by jennyjoy on Oct 2, 2012 8:52:29 GMT
Thanks everyone. Yeah, Ron is very ambitious, maybe he likes to escape because he sees the chinchillas run around and he figures he needs to be out and about as well. I've already started putting cardboard up and once I'm done this it'll be good. As for Ron's weight he weighs 190 and about 10 days ago he weighed 214 but this coincides with when he became an escape artist! I'll be keeping an eye on his weight and see what happens. And today I was at our whole food market and found some organic dandelion leaves, organic dandelion root and yarrow. I always like when I find something new to introduce to them. I do know that my chinchillas like dandelion leaves so they'll be happy with this as well!
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 2, 2012 9:20:01 GMT
190g is a bit of a worry. The dandelion and yarrow will be great. I think something like a budgie seed mix would be good for him. Look for a mix with a big range of seeds but no egg pieces, then if you could add a few fennel, sesame & linseeds, that should buildhim up a bit. Do still keep an eye out for any signs of health or teeth issues.
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