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Post by degu1234 on Sept 18, 2017 20:06:36 GMT
Hi everyone, I've recently became owner to 2 degu's, I have had them 5 days now. When we first got them one of them (munch) had NO fear or worries, he was eating, exploring, drinking and running from every level as soon as he stepped foot in the cage. The other goo (nibbles) was more apprehensive and a very nervy goo! He sat on his shelf hiding out of the way for the first 24 hours before coming out and exploring (and fleeing back to his shelf at any sudden movement). Since then he has came out of his shell a lot, he has no fears walking around the cage or running on his wheel. They both come and take treats through the cage bars and munch will eat off my hand (with the occasion little nibble on my hand) and just tonight nibbles has now started coming and taking food from my hand. They both are comfortable with placing their front paws on my hands but I still get so nervous about putting my hand in. I do not want to be bitten but also, munch (the fearless one) constantly tries to get out as soon as you open the door. I am just wondering at which point I know whether they are comfortable to be handled and how long it usually takes before trust is gained enough for handling? I'm so nervous about trying to pick one up as I'm worried they will either bite or get loose in the sitting room (which is not degu-proofed)
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Post by degulover21 on Sept 18, 2017 22:00:29 GMT
Hi everyone, I've recently became owner to 2 degu's, I have had them 5 days now. When we first got them one of them (munch) had NO fear or worries, he was eating, exploring, drinking and running from every level as soon as he stepped foot in the cage. The other goo (nibbles) was more apprehensive and a very nervy goo! He sat on his shelf hiding out of the way for the first 24 hours before coming out and exploring (and fleeing back to his shelf at any sudden movement). Since then he has came out of his shell a lot, he has no fears walking around the cage or running on his wheel. They both come and take treats through the cage bars and munch will eat off my hand (with the occasion little nibble on my hand) and just tonight nibbles has now started coming and taking food from my hand. They both are comfortable with placing their front paws on my hands but I still get so nervous about putting my hand in. I do not want to be bitten but also, munch (the fearless one) constantly tries to get out as soon as you open the door. I am just wondering at which point I know whether they are comfortable to be handled and how long it usually takes before trust is gained enough for handling? I'm so nervous about trying to pick one up as I'm worried they will either bite or get loose in the sitting room (which is not degu-proofed) [br Hey Degu1234 welcome to the world of degus. They will only bite you if they feel scared by you, I've only ever gotten bitten by mine when giving medicine or getting between a fight. Every degu is different meaning tame,my girl fudge is really tame climbs all over me but my other snowball is still abit shy. What you want to do is let them get your smell so they know your not a bad guy š So stick your hand in and let them smell you. It takes time I was like you worried my degus wouldn't step on my hand or trust me. They will with time. One thing to do is get some porridge oaks and hand fed them. They love them and will definitely love you. Offering treats is showing them your friendly. Hope this helps.š Enjoy your goos
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 18, 2017 22:10:27 GMT
I have just bought some porridge oats today to try this actually! They both love it so I will definitely keep this up and see how things go. Thanks a lot for the advice! āŗļø
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Post by savvy on Sept 19, 2017 1:29:40 GMT
Got to agree with DL21 it takes time.
You may find yourself taking one step forward and two steps back on occasions, especially with a nervous degu, but you will get there in the end.
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 19, 2017 9:51:24 GMT
Thanks for the advice! When they hear the cage door they run to it as it they are desperate to get out but I'm just so nervous in case they run and I can't get them back in! I also wonder whether it is a sign they are ready to be held as one of them tries to get his head out of the door before you've even opened it fully and steps onto my hand, but although both are comfortable doing this they are still both a little wary when you go to stroke their head or any part of their body, think we are making steady progress though! Thanks for the advice everyone āŗļø
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Post by savvy on Sept 19, 2017 12:48:30 GMT
If they do get out, move slowly as they are VERY quick and it's too easy to startle them off into corners etc. if you move too quickly.
Get a cardboard tube, preferably a long one and place it on the floor. If you can, put it along a wall as they like to stick to the perimeter of a new space. Then wait, and wait. They do love their tunnels so they should go into the tube. You could place a treat inside it to encourage them
When they are in there, block off the ends, using a towel or a piece of card, and carefully lift them back into the cage.
Escapes do happen, just try not to panic if they do. Oh and listen for gnawing as an indication of where they are.
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 19, 2017 14:47:38 GMT
That's great advice thanks! I was a little sceptical about them getting loose, for their own safety really, as I did not want them eating away at the TV wires or anything electrical. I will be sure to do my best but if one does manage to escape I'm sure I'll be able to laugh about it later after panicking to get him back in the cage haha! They certainly keep you on your toes!
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 19, 2017 16:14:48 GMT
Hello, degu1234, and welcome to the forum! It sounds like you are making great strides with your degus, getting to know them and they you. That's great! You might want to consider constructing a playpen around the cage, or something that can be put up and put away as needed, so that you can let your degus come out and you can be with them. One of our members recently made a playpen out of black coroplast (not sure I have the name correct, LOL), but I'm going to link you to the thread . . . deguworld.proboards.com/thread/21316/new-play-pen . . . and that way you can read through and see what she has done. It's just two pages, and you will see the track taken to get to where they are right now. I think it will give you good ideas, and perhaps inspire you to know what you would like to do with your goos so as to keep them safe and prevent escapes.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2017 16:18:45 GMT
My method of catching if I do have any escapees (especially my naughty ones who hide where they know I can't get them) I have a big super soft lightweight blanket and it's very large so when I place it over them, it gives me enough time to isolate them and then put my hand under and scoop them up! No damage done, a little scary for the degu - but so is being chased in general.
Mine have wizened up to the crawling into a tube or sand bath idea, so they refuse to when they've escaped lol!
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 19, 2017 21:30:56 GMT
After the advice I am now fairly confident in what to do if I do occur an escapee! At the moment I open the door to feed the oats on my hand and theyāre coming on with their two front paws, sniffing about and look like they are ready to pounce out!
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Post by misscatafer on Sept 20, 2017 8:49:48 GMT
They will try and get out of the cage, it is only natural. Once you get to know them more and their personalities you can assert yourself over them, they will get to know your voice and that no means no. Just stay calm around them and put your arm across the opening, so if they do climb out it is on to you. Another thing to do is place a large tub in front of the opening so they will jump into that - good for training and transporting! Degus will 'groom' those they like with little nips and nibbles, it is not painful so try not to be frightened, and be honoured if they start doing this to you as it is a sign of trust and affection. I have a girl who is still a nipper, she is only young (a year old) and is very dominant - she tries to rule over me! She is defending the cage and her territory, so just be wary that they will do this when young. She doesn't draw blood, but hates it if I start moving things around in the cage or of I startle her (the other day she fell off a perch and I went to check she was OK, and she showed me that she certainly was lol!) the main thing is to stay calm and confident - as they can sense fear and unease and this will make them fearful too.
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 20, 2017 11:55:28 GMT
I do let them nibble me through the cage and let them nibble my hand when I put it in, I know this is a form of grooming so I am glad they do it I just hope they donāt bite haha, they do both seem very comfortable and run the to the side of the cage when I come in so thatās good! They are 14 weeks old today and theyāre very playful with one being very mischevious! The other is a lot more lovable and soft. I am pleased with their progress over the last week as one wouldnāt move from the corner of the cage for 24 hours! Proud goo mama! ā¤ļø
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 20, 2017 12:58:04 GMT
I was also wondering if anyone has any answers to deguās sleeping during the day. They have 2 wheels which I take out at night as I have heard this can make them nocturnal. They come out every night, and the lights get fired off around 11pm. However today they seem to be sleeping quite a lot, they have had 3 naps today since 10am-1pm. Each nap lasting around half an hour then they come back to life. Is this normal or should I be worried they may be turning nocturnal? Just a
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2017 13:12:34 GMT
The wheels can stay in 24/7 degu1234.. it's a myth it can make them nocturnal, so please leave their wheels in Unless of course, they're in your bedroom and are too noisy. It won't harm them not having their wheel in, but it's one less thing for them to be busy doing! Degus like to nap! Degus don't strictly sleep at night/awake all day.. they just 'nap', their sleep cycles are much shorter than ours, despite them being 'diurnal'. Mine nap several times a day, it's totally normal. They love to nap together, they love to sunbathe too. So don't worry! Totally fine and a great opportunity to take super cute photographs!
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 20, 2017 15:55:32 GMT
Oh yes got plenty of cute pics! Ah thatās great that thereās nothing to worry about! We have seen them nap just not as often as today and I was getting a little worried! I will leave the wheels in too as I always felt bad for taking it off them! I was just trying to do best by them. I worry a lot about them as 80% of information I got from pets at home (where I bought them from) was all wrong! They told me to use cat litter which I have since found out can be fatal as itās the type that swells if hey eat it, I was told not to buy too many chew toys as they can break their teeth which I immediately thought was wrong so went and bought lots of chew toys! Thereās so much they told me that was completely wrong, Iām so glad I found this site! Thank you all! š
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2017 17:54:00 GMT
No worries! Of course you're trying to do your best! I came here exactly the same as you, bought 2 from p@h and had them in a tiny thickets cage (p@h degu cage) and everything I knew was totally wrong, or anything I learnt online was from bad sources so also wrong š.
We all have to start somewhere!
Please ask away with the questions, we love helping and will help any way we can!
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 20, 2017 17:58:18 GMT
If you make a playpen out of mdf, you can set up a barrier around the cage so that escaping degus can't get far, see the playpen links in this thread deguworld.proboards.com/thread/18716/accessories-make-buyYou will also have great fun and advance taming and trust if you can spend time with them in a playpen and let them walk on you etc. Degus are very skilled with their teeth, unless they get scared there is virtually zero chance of them suddenly biting you hard. I wouldn't recommend trying to lift them up in your hands for a while, just let them walk onto your hands and arms, when they are comfortable with that you can try and touch their head or shoulders while they sit in the other hand. Let them come to you, the less you try to touch them the happier they will likely be. They love lots of all different types and sizes of wood to chew and it is good for their teeth and their minds. Have you seen our beginner's guide? Forget everything P@H told you! deguworld.proboards.com/thread/19754/beginners-guide-degu-keeping
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Post by savvy on Sept 20, 2017 21:23:48 GMT
Something no one else has covered yet..... being as they are from pets at home, have you checked they're the same sex?
It's something else they frequently get so very wrong.
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Post by degu1234 on Sept 21, 2017 14:39:51 GMT
No I havenāt actually! That is a good point as we were told they are both male but they seem to jump quite frequently but we were told this was a form of fighting so Just laughed it off! I will definitely have to check this out! I feel like everything they told me was comepletly wrong, they used to feed them sunflower seeds (6 each a day) and rabbit food but I have the degu pellets and limit then to 2 seeds each every other day and now one of them wonāt eat the pellets because theyāre not used to them! I feel like Iāve had to find everything out for myself as they told me so much wrong info... they told me to handle them after 24 hours or else theyād never come to me and Iād never be able to hold them because they will become secluded and luckily I read up on handling and training before doing so as I would have no hand left!
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Post by savvy on Sept 21, 2017 15:46:45 GMT
If you can get clear pictures of their nether regions (get them to sit on a glass plate or bowl and photograph from underneath) and we can tell you if they are boys or girls.
If it's any consolation, most on here are victims of duff information from pets at home, so you are not alone.
You are doing well, don't worry.
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