Relief to rehome my degu

[clearsparkle]

Hi guys
I made the decision to sell my degu she was a single degu but I rehomed her I don't have the time cages etc to introduce another degu.

Even though I did my research I feel a Degu is not for me. I felt that degus don't really bond with owners and just want you for treats. I did handle her but she didnt want handling at all really it was a no win situation. I think there may be others who feel degus are great pets but in my experience they are not. They also work out highly costly when comparing to other pets my chinchilla is 10 times cheaper and friendlier anyway I hope this help someone weigh the pros and cons carefully before committing. It was a relief to rehome her I now understand why there are so many unwanted and rehomed degus they really arn t a family type pet.

[Emziedee]

vimeo.com/225207692

They also want you for armpit scratches! How dare they 😂

[Deleted]

Hi clearsparkle I'm sorry to hear you sold your degu. It's good you felt you could make a post on your opinions of degu husbandry and it has been nice to have you here on the forum.

I just wanted to clarify in case anyone new reads your post about the cost and the type of pet degus and chinchillas are, as they are honestly very similar and I don't want people to think to buy chinchillas over degus as chinchillas are a bigger commitment than degus in several aspects.

Chinchillas are very much like degus and need very large cages (larger than degus) and are social in very similar ways so also shouldn't be kept alone.

They have pretty much the same dietary needs as degus too, so nuggets, unlimited hay and some forage.

Not all chinchillas are friendly - again, most are not. Thats not to say they will bite you, but most don't like being handled or stroked in the same way degus don't.

They are also diurnal and so are awake at dawn and dusk - they sleep during the day so may not suit all family types as it's best not to disturb them during their times of rest.

They need cages set up in the same way degus do, but need larger wheels 16inches plus and again, lots of stimulation, no plastic, full levels.. they need time out of their cage.

They have very similar health problems to degus and dental disease is common, as are cataracts. However, chinchillas live a lot longer than degus - up to 20 years old, so they can be much more costly than degus due to the length of time they are alive and if they do become poorly, you will have vet bills for a much longer period.

I find both to be brilliant pets, but the pet trade I guess, falsely sells them to be great all rounder pets, which they aren't. They are much more of a "look don't touch" pet, but they are truly interesting and I think most people if properly educated before getting their degus do really enjoy them and their crazy antics. It's most fun to get them out and watch them explore.

It is simply a case of knowing what you're getting into - which I know isn't always the case for many people and that's why they're rehomed - not that they are bad pets.

I'm happy you feel better about the situation now and I hope your degu has a great new home!

[moletteuk]

Thanks for letting us know, Clearsparkle, it's been nice talking with you, you've asked some great questions and sparked some interesting discussion. I think it can be very, very difficult to get a realistic impression of what degus are like before you get them, and they really aren't for everyone. Kudos to you for being honest with yourself and taking action rather than ignoring the situation. It's a pretty rare degu that enjoys human scritches like G&T's Garf above!

[Emziedee]

Not even Garfy bum likes to be handled as such. As long as he doesn't feel restrained he's perfectly happy to be touched and stroked and will climb freely on you - Tibb's is the same. Once they realised that my hands weren't going to scoop them up they became a lot more trusting towards them and me.

You're right though, they're certainly not family pets!

[bouncy]

Well done clearsparkle for making such a hard decision and posting it on here.

It's never easy to say that you think you may have made a mistake, especially with animals. Degus really are a steep learning curve, and I agree with you about their friendliness. They are not generally cuddly pets that like to be petted, which is why they are not right for younger children.

They're highly intelligent, but the relationship you have with them is definitely not what most expect. We have owners on here whose goos just demand food, we have the rare lone goos who love a scratch because their human is an honorary goo stand in, and we have those in between. I'm personally very jealous of those who have goos that climb into their hooman slave's dressing gown, but then I'm chuffed to bits that mine will actually come to me, knowing that I'm their protector. Don't be fooled, though. I still have one that won't come near me, except to take a seed from the very tips of my fingernails, but that's 15 months of progress! My lone dude who let me groom him into ecstasy won't even entertain the possibility, now that he has buds.

They aren't for everyone, but I hope you'll still come on here and contribute, especially with your chin experience

[randomname]

Clearsparkle : For what it's worth, I think it takes a lot to rehome an animal & say it's not for you. It can't have been an easy decision to make. Introductions are a massive commitment which I avoid like the plague so I totally understand where you're coming from there.


Just to comment generally on degus (NOT aimed at clearsparkle) : Emily is 1 million percent right, couldn't have put it better myself! Degus & chinchillas are the most extreme example - both are by nature skittish & programmed by nature to hate being picked up. Cuddles mean literally nothing to them! I'd extend that to most of the critters tbh.

I think we humans are obsessed with 'pets' & what their relationship is in relationship to us - it's literally the dictionary definition of the word pets. For instance, I have 3 rabbits who have a massive set up in the yard. They are happy together, healthy (haven't needed any vets treatment aside from vaccs) & one is 10 years old. Someone came the other day & said they were sad the rabbits had no interest in him, weren't 'friendly' & that he preferred his rabbit. This is despite the fact his rabbit is kept in a tiny cage, has had fly strike despite living indoors, has chewed her own tail off & had to have it amputated & is unneutered & kept next to an entire male she has previously mated with. He also failed to take into account that they aren't dogs - they are prey animals who will always be cautious of strangers. With me, they are all friendly & strokeable (but don't like being picked up, so I don't) even grumpy Zak!

It's an extreme example but it illustrates the difference in mindset - I see them as having value in themselves as individuals.I do not refer to any of my furry friends as pets. I work hard to provide everything they need to thrive - lots of space, companionship, health care, great diet & plenty to do. I think the fact they thrive as a trio without needing me shows they have everything they need to make them happy, when I appear they see me as a bonus & come to say hi straight away. I don't need any thing else except to see them thrive & be happy & healthy. My friend values them first & foremost as the relationship he has with them, as most people do. They are his 'pets' not autonomous beings. His concern for their well being is less than his need for a 'pet'. I wish he would consider rehoming but he sadly won't.

I think the relationships we humans have with 'pets' is toxic. If we reframed our thinking both the animals & humans would be happier & there would be less in rescues. I think Clearsparkle hit the nail on the head about why there are so many degus in rescue - but it also applies to other small animals too. People expect a 'pet' - what they get is an individual with specific needs & personality. Sometimes it works out, other times it doesn't. The animals are always the ones to pay the price though. That's why I didn't rehome the PTSD bunny that is Zak even when he was at his worst. He full on attacked me every time he saw me for YEARS. Took around 6 years for him to calm down. Was no way any one else would have him, so couldn't give to a rescue, it wasn't fair on him or them. Now he's a growly grump, but I can stroke him & be around him with no problems. For me, it's either keep going doing whatever they need, or rehome & let someone else do it. That's what's best for the animal.

[Bexi87]

I’m sorry you’ve had to make this decision clearsparkle, but I’m glad it has given you a sense of relief that she will be well cared for and your Degu experience has ended in a neat, calm way 😊

I’ve had my 3 girls for 2 years and they still don’t want to be held or stroked. Even when they are out they will only come to me for food - no other interaction needed. I too get really jealous of those families with cuddly, dressing gown hogging furries but I try and see the girls independence as a positive thing. It’s a more natural behaviour for un-domesticated, prey animals 😊

[clearsparkle]

Hi everyone

Thank you for the lovely replies I enjoyed reading them all. I think reading about Degus and actually having one seemed to be miles apart I guess my expectations were high and I thought he would be handled and fine with it. He's very intelligent he knows how to tug on your heart strings! I feel he needs a friend someone on his level so I rehomed him I don't think I would ever be on his level. There are many pros to Degus and they are lovely, don't bite, diurnal, curious but I really felt at times it was a one way relationship😭. I wasn't prepared for that. I think Chinchillas are not something to jump into because they are nocturnal I am not trying to promote them just wanted to say I found bonding easier but that's just me.
Thank you everyone.

[Deleted]

Chins are actually diurnal too! 😁 they're awake at dusk and dawn x

It's great you are bonded so well with your chinchilla and I'm glad you have a wonderful relationship with him/her x I hope you stick around on the forum as we are lacking in chinchilla members! There's only a few of us. Feel free to make your own thread about your chinchilla on the relevant board, we'd love to get to know you both!