Degu Feet

[rie73]

HI! I am new to this site. I have 2 male degus and we have had them since March 2005. I have recently noticed that underneath their paws some of the pads look pink/reddish. Are they suppose to look like this. i am a bit concerned as they do have wire mesh on the bottom of cage as one of the degu chews though wood.

[worthym]

Hi, and welcome to the forum - I'm sure you'll be at home here, everyone is very friendly

As to your question, it is important that degus don't walk on wire mesh flooring too much, as they can end up with a very painful condition called bumblefoot. Is there no way that you can take the wire floor out at all? I used to have a chin cage at first, but the wire bottom was removable, and that way they were not on wire all the time, so maybe you could try that, or put a deep layer of bedding in, over the wire.

I'm sure others will have some suggestions too, but I hope that helps.

[diet otaku]

it depends on what the bottom of the cage is made out of. the bottom needs to be solid - not the wire mesh that, say, rabbit cages use so the waste drops down and such. they need to have at least one place they can go to get off the wire, you know? other than that, i just try to keep a lot of stuff on the wire parts, and open space on the bottom with the bedding. there's a chube on the top shelf, their dust bowl, chin-chiller and hiding hutch on the middle shelf, and the food/water and wheel on the bottom level. they do fine.

[Sunshinemeg]

I back up what the others have said, but if you cant take out any of the wire bases, you can by something called a "leap n ledge" they are small wooden shelves that attach to the wire walls of the cage to create perches where your degus can sit. They especially like these high up, as it gives them a look out place. They are frequently available on ebay, so easy to get hold off, I have several in my cage creating lots of extra areas to sit and cuddle up! they love them!!


meg;D

[ra]

You can cover the wire mesh bottom with a piece of linoleum cut to fit. Then cover their new linoleum floor with whatever bedding you choose. I covered the two sections of my Degus cage where there is wire with a linoleum type material. My Degus do knaw on the linoleum but do not eat it. (Find shreds in the bottom of the cage.)

[rie73]

Thanks for all the replies. I do have wooden shelves in the cage already and a wheel which they use a lot. I however, am still not sure if degu feet are suppose to have pink pads on their paws?

[diet otaku]

well, mine have brown pads, but i know that bumblefoot is not simply pink pads, it's an actual swollen bump, so it doesn't sound like that either. maybe yours just have a weird coloration?

[Sunshinemeg]

Older degus can develop pink pads, if they are not swollen and dont seem to be causing discomfort, I wouldnt worry too much. But remember, if in doubt go to the vet!

I have to say I love Ra's idea with the linolium, thats great thinking!

meg ;D

[rie73]

I have looked though a few Degu books and found pictures of Degu feet. One picture had a degu showing his paws and they had the same pink pads as mine do. I am afraid I can't take the wire out of the bottom of the cage as it has a plastc bottom which Gandalf will chew though!!! I have however, put hay on the wire to cushion it. Hope this will help!

[Hanlou]

Hi. Lino stick-on tiles are great for covering shelves. I've used these for my rats' cages from time-to-time. They're cheap and easy to replace as well! B&Q sell them.

You're not far from me! Nice to see someone else fairly local!

[rie73]

Cool. What a small world!!