Pregnancy and degu keeping

[misscatafer]

Hello everyone!

So I am very very pleased to let you all know I am expecting!

Is there anything major I need to be aware of regarding the degus? I know cat litter and wee are issues and need to be avoided... But I can't seem to find anything substantial about rodents.

I am also going to have a good think about child proofing this cage in the far off future.. A few months ago I remember reading a rehoming story with the reason for rehoming being that the mum caught her baby putting degu poo in its mouth off the floor ...eek! We all know how hard that is to prevent no matter how many splash guards are up!

Obviously there is no way I am even considering rehoming my beautiful fur babies, I just need to now consider the reality that soon there will be a baby in the household.

Any suggestions and advice would be very very much appreciated

[randomname]

oh my god! congrats!!! so happy for you xxxxxx

Don't over think things, just make sure you wash hands & have normal hygiene practices, should be fine. I went through both my pregnancies/young kids with 2 dogs, 2 cats, g.pigs & hamsters, did everything by myself, was fine. Maybe put a fire guard or some sort of fence around the cage area where the poop falls to keep baby away? You don't need to worry about it for the 6 months at least, some babies crawl around 8 months, they're walking by 1yr, so you have plenty of time to plan. Just train your kids to pass you the poops if they find them? Seriously, my youngest decided to try fishycat biscuits when he was about 3 - never did it again lol. Your biggest worries will probably be them fiddling with the cage & accidentally opening it, or screaming toddlers scaring the degus a lot. My youngest was a git for temper tantrums, poor animals used to hide

[Bexi87]

Congratulations! 😁

[misscatafer]

Thank you! Fire guard is a great concept... I think as much as I loathe the idea, I can imagine the degus will need to be moved into the dining room when baby is here (they'll probably prefer it in there anyway away from the screaming and crying). That way as well I can have it so baby is never left unsupervised with the cage.. As it would be worrying thinking they could poke fingers through or open the doors. I definitely would not trust any of mine with children despite how placid they are, they still nip visitors who think it is OK to push fingers through bars! (and it is entirely their fault!) You really had your house full Random! I have so much admiration!

[ntg]

Congratulations!

I can't add anything in terms of advice but I don't remember seeing anything specifically about rodents and pregnancy.

[deguconvert]

Congratulations, Love!! What wonderful news!!! I'm thrilled for you!

I've nothing to add for advice. I think that by the time your baby is starting to explore, you will have developed some plans as well. The fun gets bigger!!

[sarahc]

Congratulations as far as I'm aware it's just hygiene making sure you wash your hands frequently if possible get your partner to clean cage out instead of you just to be extra safe. Do you have poo guards up? They might be worth investing in and a little dust buster hover to have by cage incase any does fly out it can be quickly removed. X

[bouncy]

Woohoo!

Have the goos begun acting any differently towards you? Some animals can be very sensitive to human pregnancy. My friend's first indication she was expecting both times was that her soppy cat would refuse to sit on her!

[misscatafer]

Yes my cage is covered in perspex, poo still gets out! I'll probably put a fire guard around it when baby is here.
At first the goos were pretty freaked out by my new hormones, but now they have settled down and seem a lot more calmer with me which is nice