Chewing/timid degu

[rie73]

I never knew have much degu can chew. We have had to get rid of most of the wooden toys/shelves that the cage had original had
and buy new stuff - we have only had them since March.

Also do you find that they can be very jumpy. I have to speak to them before I move or come in the room. Often the most timid one squeaks at me!!!! I am sure I am being told off!!!!!!!! I try and get the most timid one out but he is not very willing. The other degu is fine - he always wants to come out - and escape!!! Very fast animals.

[worthym]

Yeah, degus will chew most things to destruction - wood is no challenge to their teeth! Mine have only had their new cage for a short while, and the wooden shelves are already looking rough around the edges.

The degus will calm up with handling and contact. Mine still squeak when surprised by me, especially if i accidentally wake them up! I find that the best way is to let them get used to you in their own time. Mine will come out on the door of their cage, and i can pick them up from there. This allows them to make the decision, rather than chasing them around the cage, which only frightens them more.

Look forward to hearing more about your degus in the future - and maybe you could post some pictures ;D

[ra]

I've had Mocha since March and Tanzania Peaberry (her baby) since April. They are highly sensitive creatures and are very reactive to sudden sounds and movements. I always try to speak to them as I enter the room. I figure in six months time they are just now getting comfortable with their surroundings and their human beings. I was away for ten days this month. Both Degu Girls were very excited and ran out to their open platform door chirping to me when I came home. That told me we finally have a good bond going.

I buy them good quality wooden Parrot toys to chew on and replace them as they become ragged. The wooden Rabbit and Rodent chews you can buy in the pet stores don't last long! I cut and dried some clean apple tree branches for them. I replace the branches about once a month when all the bark is chewed off. In fact I need to cut and dry some more before winter!