Rescued Degus

[cestor]

Hi all,

I hope you can help...

I recently decided to buy a couple of degus to keep me company while I'm at university. I have read a lot about them and am used to keeping animals, though I understood you can't learn everything from what you read.

I wanted to rescue a couple, as all of our animals are rescued and I would rather give a home to those who need it. The two I found are 8 months old (so I'm told) and seem to be healthy, they have yellow teeth, bright eyes and healthy coats. Their claws seem a little long, but they came from a small cage with nothing to help that, so I'm hoping their new cage will sort it out.

So, I have had them since Sunday and I am absolutely convinced that they hate me and their new home and I just don't know what to do. They don't respond to food and won't come anywhere near me, not even to consider smelling me. As soon as I move, they begin to squeak and run into the farthest corner. They are petrified of me, I don't even have to walk past the cage for them to hide, its enough to scare them if I even move in the same room.

So, in short, I don't know what to do Any suggestions would be welcome

[ntg]

Sorry I don't have time to give you a detailed answer, I have a lecture in ten minutes, you know how it is but I'll link you to a site which gave me loads of good tips when I started. Don't feel disheartened, it can take a while for some degus to trust you and get used to their new home!

octodondegus.weebly.com/how-to-tame-degus.html

[ntg]

Forgot to say, welcome to the forum! I'm sure you'll bring them round, dandelion is a firm favourite when it comes to bribery!

[Maravilla]

Hi

Don't worry! Your degus do not hate you!! They show a very normal behaviour and need to settle down, get to know you, their new home, the food and everything. Only a minority of degus really become tame, so it is normal if they stay shy. Try to give them more confidence. Small rituals as giving a treat at the same time every day make it easier for them. You need time and patience. And don't be disappointed if they do not change their behaviour towards you. Degus are fascinating animals who - even being shy - provide so much fun and joy!!

Have fun with your little friends.

[Lrak]

He wlcome to the forum, Well done on rescuing them It will take some tie for tem to settle down, i found the best way with mine was opening the dor and sitting in front of it with "treats" like sunflower seeds and such, spend a bit of time every day doing th and i'm sure they will come round

[deguconvert]

Hello Cestor, and welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry your first few days with your new degus has been less than you likely hoped for. I'm sure that you want the best for them, and dearly want to gain their trust. However, it does take time to build a trust relationship with them, and considering all the changes they have experienced starting with Sunday, they are likely very spooked and wondering what on earth has happened to them. Give them time to adjust to the new sights, smells, sounds, and cage. If you are feeding them different food, they need to adjust to that as well. I recommend that as well as the advice given you, help them to learn your voice by talking calmly and gently when you are in the room. You don't necessarily need to be looking into the cage when you do this, just talk away and let them learn what you sound like.

[Lrak]

I knew i forgot something.... Yea talking isgood even if it does make you seam a little strange walking around talking aloud in an empty house (Not that i do this a lot ;D )

[moletteuk]

They will come round, just give them some more time. Make sure they have some good, safe hidey places in the cage, boxes and tubes and so on, then they will feel safer to inhabit more of the cage if they know there is a safe, hiding place only a few paces away from whereever they are. If they continue to be desperately scared, perhaps you could use a sheet of wood or a sheet/ towel (but not so they can pull the sheet into the cage) to limit their field of view so they aren't startled by seeing every little move you make.

[winic1]

I agree that giving them some more hiding places is probably a good idea at this time. Small cardboard boxes, tissue boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, or corrugated cardboard boxes, anything clean and with no plastic or tape on it, are free and easily replaceable when they get chewed or peed on. Cut two openings--degu doorways, or door and window--my goos have always insisted on a second way out of all of their hidey-holes, guess it makes them feel safer.

Give them lots of places to take cover, to explore, to climb on. And hard as it is, give them time and all the patience you can come up with. Talk softly as much as you can, whether near the cage or farther away. Right now their world is all strange and new and scary--like having been abducted by aliens and taken to their planet. And you don't know what they went through before you got them. Once they realize they are in a safe, settled, permanent home, they will calm down. And once they realize you bring them food and all kinds of good stuff, they will come out to see you instead of running away. They may never be happy to be held, but they will come to appreciate you, it just could take a while. Imagine if you were abducted by a giant alien and taken to a strange world, how long before you decided it was safe to trust your alien captors?

[billyalex]

it may well be that you have two very shy degus who are very nervous. If this is the case, it will take a lot of hard work and patience. Dont forget that they have had a massive change and possibly traumatic past. Try sitting by the cage and saying nothing. That way they will learn to smell you and become a little more interested. then try talking quietly to them. After that, try opening the door and putting your hand in with treats etc. It will take a lot of time but unfortunately, you have to be lead by them and go at their pace and not yours. Hope it goes well and welcome to the forum :-) xxx

[Jus]

Hey cestor, I would totally reiterate what these guys said. We've just got a new girl who is totally freaked out at the new house, new cage, new people, new smells etc. She also was squeaking and diving for cover every time we ever went near the cage! Just spent a few minutes every time your in the room sitting by the cage chatting crap at them, they'll soon get used to your presence and your voice, then you can move onto having hands near them etc. Good luck!