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Post by omiandpenny on Jan 7, 2021 19:36:28 GMT
Hello! I am new to caring for degus and I need some advice. I've been stocking this forum for a while but now I think I'm ready to dip my toes in. I got Penelope last month when she was about 4 months old, she is a very adventurous and social little girl. However, my over active mind constantly comes up with new fun and exciting ways to freak me out so I have some questions. I am no stranger to chirps and barks but recently Penelope has been squealing everytime I walk by her cage. She then runs up to where I usually pick her up, I open the cage and allow her to climb into my palm but she seems very hesitant. She is also very hesitant to return to me if she is running about on a table, but when she is in her little ball she follows me everywhere. My parents think her vocalization is because I've spoiled her, but I only take her out for a a few hours a day. I just want to make sure that I'm trying everything for my little girl. She has her dust bath teo times a week and I try to refill her food bowl each day as well as uncover her stashed food. Should I be concerned with her squealing and skiddish behavior?
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Post by savvy on Jan 7, 2021 19:53:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum.
Firstly, are you sure Penelope is a girl? Squeaking at this time of year is usually more of a male activity as we're in breeding season. They bark to announce that they have just 'done the deed' so to speak. Yes, male degus can and do masturbating, lol.
Has anything recently changed? New sounds, or smells, any change in routine?
I have to say that exercise balls for degus are incredibly dangerous, as they can easily cause heat stroke which can be fatal. I'd recommend a secure play pen for time out of cage activity and stop using the ball.
You say you fill her bowl each day, but does she have access to hay and forage as well? These are important for degus. I'd leave her stashed food where she's put it unless you are cleaning her cage. Degus hate any changes and constantly interfering with her cage will make her unhappy.
We were all on the degu learning curve at some point, so we know what you're going through. Please feel free to ask any questions you feel you need to, there are no silly questions when it comes to degus.
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Post by omiandpenny on Jan 7, 2021 20:10:29 GMT
Just resexed her and yes she is a girl. She has access to hay and there has been nothing that has changed, the only thing I can think of is that at on weekdays she is mostly with me as I do online school, but on weekends my whole family is there throughout the day. I didn't know you shouldn't mess with her stashed food so thanks for the heads up! Also thank you so much for the warning with the ball, definitely will be looking into play pens. Now this is a tricky question and I really don't want to seem like a bad degu mom but how should I handle my living situation? I have to go back and forth between my parents and taking her with me seems like to much stress on her, but I also want to be sure she gets enough attention while I'm gone. I at first thought this could be the cause of the squeaks but my mom reports similar patterns in her squeaks as well.
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Post by savvy on Jan 7, 2021 20:30:59 GMT
As she's a lone degu, she'll naturally want more attention from you. Getting her some degu company would help this tremendously. Not matter how good a degu mum you are, you're not a degu. Is getting more degus an option?
How often do you go back and forth between your parents?
Does she have a different cage in each location?
How big is her main cage?
The answers to these questions will help us find workable solutions.
And you're not a bad degu mum, you're a new degu mum and there's a big difference. Degus are a steep learning curve, and we have all had to learn by experience and asking questions.
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Post by omiandpenny on Jan 7, 2021 21:47:14 GMT
I go back and forth every two weeks, but I make sure she gets attention for the time I'm gone, she is at my mother all the time because my father owns dogs and I fear that would just stress her out, on top of that, I don't want her to get fleas. Getting another degu could be an option in the future, but right its hard to even get my parents to understand she needs a play area lol. When I get out on my own I plan on getting more degus, but I could also try to get my parents to realize she needs a friend. I tried to transfer her between locations but she was immediately in distress and became more aggressive. Her main cage is 75 cm/ 2 1/2 ft wide. 69 cm/ 2 ft 9 in tall. And about 15 cm/ 6in in depth. Please tell me of thats too small because I'd want to add that to the list of must do's. Also, any tips for how big the play pen should be and what to include.
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Post by savvy on Jan 7, 2021 22:12:53 GMT
If she's getting attention while you're away, it's best to leave her with your mum, especially if the dogs stress her out. Fleas don't normally affect degus.
Your cage is much too small, especially if you are planning of getting Penelope some degu company. A small cage will add to her stress as she doesn't have room to get up to speed running and she needs space for a while etc. The only commercially available cages we recommend are the aventura and the liberta explorer. Pet planet do their own version which is of a similar size.
You could of course, build your own cage.
Play pens come in all shapes and sizes. Most are collapsible so they can be taken down and stored when not in use, which makes life easier if space is an issue. There should be room for you to interact with her, and have plenty of toys to keep her amused. Cardboard boxes, egg boxes, cardboard tubes are all cheap toys which she will love.
A cardboard box filled with hay with a treat hidden in there will give her some enrichment. Some members have found that plastic balls, such as the ones in a ball pit, have amused their degus. Toilet rolls are great fun for them as they drag the tissue around their cages.
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Post by omiandpenny on Jan 7, 2021 22:25:32 GMT
Thank you so much for your help. Definitely going to be looking into play pen and gonna start looking into a new cage. This forum is a life savior.
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Post by savvy on Jan 7, 2021 22:29:04 GMT
We are more than happy to help and it's good to hear we are doing a good job.
Keep us posted.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 8, 2021 2:24:59 GMT
Hello Omiandpenny, and welcome to the forum. I have enjoyed reading through your posts. It is clear you love your girl, and that you deeply desire to give her a wonderful life and living environment! I look forward to getting to know you!
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Post by sonataarctica89 on Jan 29, 2021 11:01:36 GMT
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