Recent Pups

[clichedegulovername]

So my Degu gave birth today. Is there anything I should do (Apart from the obvious not handling the pups or putting my hands anywhere near them). Aerith (The mum) seems to have gotten back to normal, she is running about the cage. Is it normal for the mum to just leave the pups for a few minuets at a time. It's been a few hours since she had them, and I have three other females who who seem to be fine with them, they even to have a little peek at them. I just want to make sure everything is OK first.

[deguconvert]

All degus are excellent care givers, and will work as a group to help with the raising of the pups. Have you checked your other three degus to ensure that they are indeed all female? Don't worry about not going near or touching the pups. Degus do not have the same negative and destructive reaction to strange scents being on their pups, nor to them being handled. They are not bothered at all, for the most part. They can show some anxiety, but that is about it. Leave them alone for the first three or four days, and then go on and get to know them.

Degu pups are extremely mobile, and you will see them starting to explore the cage and their surroundings within days. Then you will see Momma goo and the other girls all putting them back into the nest. You need to watch the pups as they are not able to regulate their body temperature well for the first few weeks, and so if they are out and about, they can become chilled. You need to put them back in the nest, and if they feel cool, tuck them in your shirt to help them warm up. You will see all the degus piling with them to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a large group as well.

Because the pups are so mobile, you need to make sure your cage is safe for them, as they are extreme escape artists. They can get out of any opening that is a cm in size. You need to make sure that nothing is larger than a half cm wide. Check your WHOLE cage, because finding such small, mobile pups is difficult, and if they are out, they can be vacuumed up, stepped on, lost inside walls, etc.

You will see the pups beginning to try out the hard foods fairly soon as well. Don't freak, this is normal. Make sure to give Momma some extra calories, as she will be needing them. Nuts, seeds, dill weed (dried or fresh), oats (porridge oats, steel cut), are all good.

I think that is it for now. Please, ask any and all questions you have. Enjoy your pups!

[clichedegulovername]

The bars ion my cage are square, about 1cm by 1 cm. will they be able to get through?

[deguconvert]

Hmmmm . . . I think they should be OK, but do keep an eye on them.