tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 17, 2017 19:48:04 GMT
Hi everyone,
I'm new here - because I don't have my degus yet!! I'm due to pick up 2 beautiful girls in 2 weeks time, and preferably I would like to keep them in the living room where there is the most activity.
One issue - we own three cats! My cats are indoor cats, and we have kept gerbils in the house before whilst looking after them for a friend. I kept the gerbil cage in the downstairs bathroom but I did bring them into the living room when I was at home so they had company. Two of my cats lost interest very quickly - preferring to take a nap - the other sat next to the cage watching but didn't really do anything else.
The cage we are getting is a really good size (custom built by the lady we are taking them from) but the front is wiring and it looks like quite big holes.
Do you have any advice on how I'd be able to make the cage more secure, I don't really foresee the cats showing an excessive amount of interest after how they behaved with the gerbils but I also don't want any little paws getting in those holes! Should I just try and see if I can find wiring with smaller holes or think about putting in a glass front?
Appreciate your thoughts, if we don't keep them in the living room then we can keep them in the downstairs bathroom and bring them out when I am home but I'd prefer not to do this.
Thanks
Natasha
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 20:26:37 GMT
Hi Natasha!
Welcome to the forum. It would really help if we could see some photographs of the cage to visualise better!
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 17, 2017 20:51:44 GMT
Hi I only have limited photos right now unfortunately, I've added two links below - can't seem to attach a photo?! The cage is a modified wardrobe so it's only wiring on the front door. I was wondering if I could purchase some additional mesh and simple stable it over the one there already to make the holes smaller imgur.com/IfHhxGgimgur.com/XRmh4l6
|
|
|
Post by yasmin on Sept 17, 2017 20:51:52 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Natasha. I have cats too. I hate to say this but... the only way to be 100% sure that the degus are safe is to keep them in an area/room that the cats can't get into.
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 17, 2017 20:58:54 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Natasha. I have cats too. I hate to say this but... the only way to be 100% sur that the degus are safe is to keep them in an area/room that the cats can't get into. Hi I worry a bit that if we keep them in the bathroom downstairs they may get bored as it's obviously not a very busy area, and the cage is not one that can be moved from one room to another easily (another option I was considering if I had a cage with wheels) Are your degus kept in a low activity room?
|
|
|
Post by yasmin on Sept 17, 2017 21:03:18 GMT
Yes. My degus are in a basement room (windows on two sides). I visit them often and they have each other to keep them company. They also have large cages with lots of levels and branches and toys, and the room is degu-proofed so they get to run around loose in it now and again. My cages are also on wheels. Wheels are a good idea so that you can move them to another area more easily – and it also makes it easier to clean behind and under the cage.
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 17, 2017 21:15:31 GMT
Yes. My degus are in a basement room (windows on two sides). I visit them often and they have each other to keep them company. They also have large cages with lots of levels and branches and toys, and the room is degu-proofed so they get to run around loose in it now and again. Ok that makes me feel a bit better about the bathroom then, there is a window in there so it does get natural light. Because my cats are indoor cats we tend to have an open door policy but it also doesn't help that most of the doors in this house never stay shut!! The bathroom and conservatory are the only doors that can be closed from the outside without the cats barging their way in Of course I'd also be having the degus out with me in the evening after work whilst the cats are shut out and they will have plenty of things to play with whilst I am out of the house
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on Sept 17, 2017 22:13:09 GMT
What you need to do is add the second layer of mesh, but put a spacer inbetween the first layer and the second, so that if a cat climbs the mesh, the claws cannot possibly reach through to the inner layer, in case a goo is sitting right up against their mesh, or a tail is dangling through.
I have birds (40-something finches and parakeets) and goos, and cats AND dogs. We have created barricades that keep the cats from reaching the cages with the small critters in them. By spacing it outward anywhere from an inch to six inches or so, depending on the mesh size in use, even if the cats try to climb or attack the outer layer, they cannot reach the critters or any part of them that may be against the inner mesh, or sticking out through it.
Finch keepers have lost birds by having a cat (or bigger bird when in outside aviaries) snag it right through the wires of the cage, and finch cages have 1/2" spacing at the biggest. If a claw can snag it, damage or death can happen. But if they can't reach to it, then nothing happens.
We also worked hard on teaching them that No means No. Squirt bottle of water is a big deterrent. Chasing through the house smacking a dish towel at them while yelling, making them think they are truly about to die. Teach them that it is just not worth the terror, to make an attempt at a bird or degu (and formerly also hamsters and guinea pigs).
So, double-wall the mesh, with appropriate depth space, keeps the cats at bay.
|
|
|
Post by Karma on Sept 17, 2017 22:59:23 GMT
Honestly I wouldn't worry to much about the cats ..... just get the degus lots and lots of hiding places and ensure the cats can't stick their paws through the bars. Even my hunter cat - catches about 3 mice in the evening (locked inside at 8:30pm), has caught many birds - including a magpie, almost caught a gopher .... is very good with them. He gets corrected when he gets overexcited and chases them as the run across the cage but I haven't had to correct him in months and the degus are in a separate room with the door opened.
If you are worried, start with them in a bathroom where you can allow access while you present and correct any overexcitment towards the cage. Soon the cats will realize that the degus are pals and not that interesting so they will leave them alone. At this point you could move them into the living room.
Degus are fearless creatures and willing to stand up for themselves. Yeti did get a good bite on his nose when I had him in the room when they were out loose .... Einstein decided he wanted to go where the cat was lying so he walked up to him and grabbed his nose, 😆 Now when the degus move towards him, he immediately moves away. The degus chase both my cats around the room until they get annoyed and want away. Then the degus are happy to run and play without them there lol.
My other cat has always been super gentle with them ... he just likes to smack them around so we had to work on "no paws", he never pulled his claws out though.
If you are nervous when the cats are around though, the degus WILL pick up on it and get stressed because "there is something to worry about". Just be calm and watchful. I don't suggest you have them out loose until you really trust your instincts towards cat body language and know your cats inside and out like I do.
Hope that helps soothe the fear a bit!
My friend even can have her sphynx cats, dog (2-100 pounds - two of them terriers), jenday conure and sugar gliders all out together and they all get along (except maybe the glider and the conure lol). Just train your pets and watch closely for overexcitment
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 18, 2017 7:31:28 GMT
What you need to do is add the second layer of mesh, but put a spacer inbetween the first layer and the second, so that if a cat climbs the mesh, the claws cannot possibly reach through to the inner layer, in case a goo is sitting right up against their mesh, or a tail is dangling through. Oh excellent, this sounds perfect!! Can I ask what you use as a spacer? Sounds like you've got it all worked out, my cats are pretty well trained but it's good to have the extra precaution
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2017 8:28:04 GMT
I have a bengal kitten (so extremely hunt driven), she's 13 weeks old and she loves the goos. She will sit and watch them for a good half an hour. She even puts her paws up on the mesh of my extended cage, and the two sisters rush down to the bottom level to meet her. They all just sit there looking and sniffing at each other lol! They definitely stand their ground well.
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 18, 2017 10:32:40 GMT
I have a bengal kitten (so extremely hunt driven), she's 13 weeks old and she loves the goos. She will sit and watch them for a good half an hour. She even puts her paws up on the mesh of my extended cage, and the two sisters rush down to the bottom level to meet her. They all just sit there looking and sniffing at each other lol! They definitely stand their ground well. It's great to hear lots of people have cats without issues! My lot are Ragdolls so they really aren't great hunters!! I would never have them out around the cats but I would just love to be able to keep them somewhere I am often, I know I can make it work!
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on Sept 18, 2017 12:18:24 GMT
What you need to do is add the second layer of mesh, but put a spacer inbetween the first layer and the second, so that if a cat climbs the mesh, the claws cannot possibly reach through to the inner layer, in case a goo is sitting right up against their mesh, or a tail is dangling through. Oh excellent, this sounds perfect!! Can I ask what you use as a spacer? Sounds like you've got it all worked out, my cats are pretty well trained but it's good to have the extra precaution I would use strips of wood, just build a frame onto the existing one. That way you can stain or paint it to either match or contrast with the existing cage. If you are putting a small mesh on, even just an inch should do it (or a couple centimeters). Or you could make a frame and hinge it, so it would be like a second set of doors in front of the existing ones. Bird-keeping friends with outside aviaries, in places like the US south and Australia where they can leave the birds outside all year, have problems with hawks and butcher birds and things, so they make the double layer several inches farther out, as they have to make sure that talons and long beaks can't reach through. Many have lost birds that got slashed through the wire of their original cage. so sad. In my house, we opted for making a 'fence' that sits about six inches outside the cages, surrounding all accessible sides, from baby-gate and crate-type wire panels. The cats cannot jump high enough to get over the fences and onto the cage without hurting themselves, so they don't. My cats are both indoor only, but one especially just has very strong hunting instincts, so I'd never trust her completely. They've both been subjected to the spray bottle and screaming-chasing-thrashing with a towel routine, so they know it's just not worth it to even try, since death is then imminent (really, cat? haven't figured out you haven't actually died yet, so maybe it's just an act?) But still, I can't always be there, watching....
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Sept 18, 2017 13:08:52 GMT
youtu.be/3SSLuthMIvMLeo and Garf 🤗 I think Em's right, as they stand their ground so well, most don't see them as prey as the goos will chase them!! My dogs are also afraid of them now as they've had their noses nipped going too close to their cages!. Bold as brass.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Sept 18, 2017 15:28:32 GMT
Love the video, Garfunkel! What is it with cats and rubbing their cheeks on things? Food, fingers, toes, faces, books . . . our cat does it all the time and I can't decide it she is spreading her smell on things, or loving them, LOL!
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 18, 2017 17:47:01 GMT
Oh my goodness, look at how cute they both are!! I'm certainly getting the fact that they are fearless!!! I have had gerbils out on my lap before and my 3 cats haven't even noticed, they really aren't very smart hehe Thank you everyone for putting my mind at ease!! I'll be making an additional layer for peace of mind, really appreciate the help everyone
|
|
|
Post by Emziedee on Sept 18, 2017 18:20:51 GMT
Love the video, Garfunkel! What is it with cats and rubbing their cheeks on things? Food, fingers, toes, faces, books . . . our cat does it all the time and I can't decide it she is spreading her smell on things, or loving them, LOL! Yeah they say it's them scenting you or an item as marking it as theirs lol, so I think it's scenting and loving!!
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Sept 19, 2017 16:35:46 GMT
Great idea from Winic with the double layer mesh. I think you (and the degus) will enjoy having the degus in your living room if at all possible, they are so fascinating to watch, it's great to have them as part of your everyday life if you can. You might want to think about a playpen or making part of a room safe for supervised playtime - degus can find trouble anywhere and will chew anything. Are you up for a bit more DIY? The cage looks like it would benefit from some more shelving adding to make better use of the space, it looks like you could easily fit another full area shelf above where the wheel is. See how you feel when you get them home and get to know them, you might want to make all kinds of changes, have you seen our beginners guide to help get you prepared? deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19754/beginners-guide-degu-keeping
|
|
|
Post by Karma on Sept 20, 2017 0:12:25 GMT
When I have the cats in the room with the degus out playing ..... yeti LOVES to jump into the open cage and just lies down in the degu smell. Crazy cat!!
|
|
tish
Warbling Degu
Posts: 33
|
Post by tish on Sept 20, 2017 14:30:14 GMT
Great idea from Winic with the double layer mesh. I think you (and the degus) will enjoy having the degus in your living room if at all possible, they are so fascinating to watch, it's great to have them as part of your everyday life if you can. You might want to think about a playpen or making part of a room safe for supervised playtime - degus can find trouble anywhere and will chew anything. Are you up for a bit more DIY? The cage looks like it would benefit from some more shelving adding to make better use of the space, it looks like you could easily fit another full area shelf above where the wheel is. See how you feel when you get them home and get to know them, you might want to make all kinds of changes, have you seen our beginners guide to help get you prepared? deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19754/beginners-guide-degu-keepingHi!! Yes I love the second layer idea, we are definitely doing this as I want to be able to interact with them as much as possible. I've been reading the beginners guides and looking at different peoples play pens etc on here so I have a good idea, I just need to get it all together. It's difficult with the cage as I haven't seen it in person, only through the photos. I know the lady recently updated their wheel but overall I feel there's not enough toys/hiding bits so I've been looking at more things to buy to add to it for them. Until I have it in front of me though I'm not sure what else could be added shelf wise - but it sounds as though I should start thinking DIY which is not my forte!! I'm looking to collect them at the end of the month, I can't wait!
|
|