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Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 18, 2005 18:51:28 GMT
I say sugar and mean sugar. That includes Sucrose, Fructose, Lactose, Glucose, Dextrose. Do I have to carry on?
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Post by diet otaku on Oct 18, 2005 20:02:43 GMT
there is a difference between artificial sweeteners (sucrose, fructose, dextrose, etc) and the natural glucose the body makes when digesting food. obviously you can't keep them from having glucose, because they MAKE it out of the food they eat, but you shouldn't feed them food that already has glucose IN it. it's kind of complicated, but if you just stick to the basic pellets, hay and treats like rose hips, you won't have to worry.
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Post by Aimeelou on Oct 19, 2005 8:08:50 GMT
Sugar/sweetener = Degu dies No sugar/sweetener = Degu lives
Aplies to all Degus From all countries. Simple. Capeche?
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tigerlily
Burrowing Degu
Octodon degus
Posts: 172
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Post by tigerlily on Oct 19, 2005 12:03:20 GMT
Dont degus eat ANY fat in the wild Really? I would not believe... Every animal needs little bit fat, I think.
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Post by diet otaku on Oct 19, 2005 13:10:11 GMT
i guess i meant low-fat, not fat free. yes, degus get some fat in the wild, because they eat nuts, but nuts are not a staple of their diet.
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Post by nat on Oct 19, 2005 14:14:36 GMT
So why when they see/smell nuts they're going mad? I think they love it instinctually
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Post by Aimeelou on Oct 19, 2005 14:18:05 GMT
Yes, they do like nuts, but they cant eat them all the time, or they get poorly. Like, i like burgers, if i ate them all day id be fat and nearly dead!
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Oct 19, 2005 14:34:39 GMT
Nat - That's like saying 'Humans go mad for chocolate, it must be the best thing for them...' How many kids do you see jumping up and down at the sight of a piece of broccoli?? My rats go nutty when they hear the rattle of their chocolate drop box, but much as they'd love to have lots of them, it isn't good or healthy for them. For degus - NO SUGAR and VERY LITTLE FAT is best for their health. * sigh* Why is that so hard to believe Nat?? It isn't just the viewpoint of a few people on a forum, this is what lots of people have researched!!
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 19, 2005 16:58:57 GMT
Nat, I really want you to understand this point. I know from EXPERIENCE that if you feed a degu a regular diet that contains sugar in ANY form, it will die. Please dont let that happen to your degus just because you dont think we are right. Take the view of the majority. Dont feed your degu any treats that contain sugar.
meg
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Post by nat on Oct 19, 2005 17:58:16 GMT
OK. I'm giving him the sweets things one a week. He''l have to eat the food I give to him or sturve. noe mercy
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 19, 2005 18:41:39 GMT
Thankyou Nat. He wont starve if you are feeding him! What sweet things are you giving? a suitable treat needs to still be good generally, e.g. bran flakes, nuts etc. Dont be soft, you need to do whats best for him!
meg ;D
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Post by nat on Oct 19, 2005 21:35:07 GMT
nuts and somerimes there was sweets in the food. But if I sow that there was too much of it I just was taking it away from him.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Oct 19, 2005 22:48:59 GMT
what kind of sweet stuff in the food? Nuts are great as an occasional treat, and as I am sure you have realised, they are also a very popular treat! Good to hear you are learning some good ways to look after your degu. Its so much more rewarding when you have a healthy happy degu that you know you are doing the best for! well done
meg
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Post by nat on Oct 20, 2005 14:48:29 GMT
I really don't know sometimes this are raisins (if it's the thing I'm thinking about in polish ;p), chocolate cornflackes (I take it from him). I give him sometimes dry carrot. The big plus is that more than sweets he loves dry bread
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Post by themoosevodka on Oct 20, 2005 18:54:44 GMT
I also wouldn't feed cheerios - they're 22% sugar!!!! I only know 'cos I checked for my rats.... and they're supposed to be healthy... huh.... oh no! i thought since they were plain they wouldnt have any sugar!!!! what about cornflakes? are cornflakes ok? i dont have any bran flakes......
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Oct 20, 2005 22:51:52 GMT
Hey squeak!! I know, doesn't it just annoy you so much - they're promoted as being healthy...... Don't worry - as I said - I only know 'cos I'm an avid cereal-label reader!! (For my rats - I'm not half so fussy for myself though it has horrified me!) Really, if you start looking at lables as to amounts of sugar per 100g, you'll be horrified. The only cereals I feed my rats are Shredded wheat, Weight watchers cereal (though prob. too sweet for degus?!) and kashi 7 grain. Puffed rice and puffed oats are pretty much sugar free too.
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Post by themoosevodka on Oct 21, 2005 0:12:43 GMT
yay we have shredded weat in the house!!!! thankies hanlou, you rock my socks ;D
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Post by diet otaku on Oct 21, 2005 1:25:25 GMT
hmm, guess i should stop feeding my degus count chocula then. (kidding, kidding! XD)
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tigerlily
Burrowing Degu
Octodon degus
Posts: 172
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Post by tigerlily on Oct 21, 2005 12:25:04 GMT
But is there something else what should avoid than sugar? Carborhydrates, high-protein..? I´ve read so much and sometimes reads no fat, no sugar, sometimes reads no carbohydrates, no sugar....
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Oct 22, 2005 13:19:28 GMT
tigerlily - I'm not sure - I know degus (like us and any animals really) shouldn't have too much fat - which is why peanuts can only be an occasional treat for them.
But I'm not sure as to the specifics - I guess this topic has been about sugar, so that's what everyone has been talking about - but obviously sugar isn't the only thing that's bad for degus. (Like us....)
I think, that once you find a good well-balanced 'base food' you're ok, and then you can just feed veggies (suitable ones) as a treat / supplement along with a good quality hay.
There's so much controversy as to what's ok and what isn't, at the end of the day you just have to read through the info and make an educated choice.
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