New Degu Owner -- Need Advice!

[sarah]

Hi everyone -- I'm so glad I found this board!

After extensive internet research, we are the proud new owners of two female degus. We have had them since Sunday, 5/28.

We are a little concerned about how timid they are, and would like to know if any of you have suggestions about how best to approach them. They were purchased at a pet store and were housed in an aquarium with about 4 other females. At the pet store the employees would pick them up and carry them around. We're afraid to touch them now because we think they are terrified.

They spend most of the time hiding in their little house. One seems a lot more curious and will poke her little head out and stare at us. After a few minutes she will venture out, but if we make any movements she will dart back in. The other one spends all of her time hiding in the corner behind the little house. We were worried that she wasn't even venturing out for food, so my husband stayed up late last night and watched them -- she eventually came out and went up to the feeding platform

We're a little confused about what to do -- should we be more "in your face" with them? They are in a 30 gal. aquarium with a cage topper in my husband's office, so he's with them most of the day. He talks softly to them and arranges things in their cage a couple of times a day. I sit and visit with them when I'm home, but the timid one never comes out of the corner. We're afraid that we're being too overly sensitive with them and not doing anything to improve the situation.

Also, the way the cage is set up and the fact that they spend all of their time hiding in the bottom makes it difficult for us to give them approved treats for bonding purposes. My husband just called and said they were cheeping and asked if he could give them a veggie treat -- I told him a tiny bit of broccoli would be OK, but that's it for a week.

Does anybody have any suggestions about how to bond with our little girls? We want them to be happy!

Thank you!

[diet otaku]

don't worry about the timidness, they're just getting used to their situation. give them a few days to get used to all the sights, sounds and smells of their new home. you can help them adjust to your presence by spending time just sitting by the cage, watching them and talking softly. try not to handle them for the first few days, or even a week if they're still really scared. with the really timid one, it may help to reach into the cage and lay your hand down in front of her. just leave it there, and when she's ready she'll start sniffing and possibly nibbling your hand to check you out. it shouldn't hurt or draw blood when she nibbles, but if she bites hard (i mean HARD) then she is very frightened and should be left alone for awhile. the exploratory nibble is different from the frightened bite in that the former is more like when you're trying to take a bite of a hot piece of pizza... at first they just open their mouths and barely touch their teeth to your skin. then they may press a little harder, but soon enough they realize you're not food and stop. a frightened bite, on the other hand, is quick and sinks in deep. degus are not prone to biting like this, just be aware that if they're really super freaked out, it can happen and it HURTS.

something else that will help you bond with them is putting the treats in your hand and resting your hand on the bottom of the cage near them. broccoli and cauliflower are good degu treats, and mine absolutely love these vitamin crunchers made by ultravite, which are sold at pet stores in the US. degus also like to nibble on dried rose hips and dried, raw (unsalted) pumpkin seeds. just be patient and kind, and they'll open up to you in no time!

[ra]

Ditto Diet Otaku!! I think she hit it all... one other idea - spend time in the same room as your Degus if they aren't in your main living area. I sat and read and spoke quietly to mine for about a month as well as approaching them as Diet suggests above.

[rupe]

i did as diet says and now my little guy runs to the side of his cage nearest me when he hears me for a tickle under his chin!! he too was grabbed alo in the pet shop and was very timid when i got him first. it does take time and effort but is is very much worth it!!

good luck!

[julie]

sarah, how are they doing with you now?

[sarah]

They are doing great! They are not at all shy and run to the top of the cage when they hear us coming. (I think it's treat-related though.....)

Yesterday my husband actually picked them both up. They were in their holding tub while we cleaned the cage and instead of coaxing them into their carrying case he picked each one up (with some difficulty) and transferred them by hand. A major breakthrough! They are so cute and sweet, we just love them.

Thanks for asking!

[Sunshinemeg]

Hey Sarah, glad to hear that your degu girls are doing well. You are clear evidence that degus take time to adjust to their new owners, but then form strong bonds. It sounds like you have done everything right! well done!