Lonely surviving Degu, How best can I get her company?

[judecat3000]

Hi, I am a newbie,

I bought four Degu Sisters several years ago, I have lost them to age, they weren't young when I got them, in in one case Diabetes, I have one remaining very lonely girl. I have been told that if I try to introduce new Degu, or plural, my new ones are likely to be attacked and possibly killed or maimed. Could I introduce another species, such as a Guinea Pig or a rat into her cage instead?

Th cage is huge, three stories, about 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet and about 4 feet tall.

She is breaking my heart whistling for her Sisters. When Baby Blue died a couple of months ago, Little Red is missing her terribly, they had each other after Birch and Bracken died, I don'r know what to do.

If anyone can make a constructive suggestion I would be really appreciative.

Thank you for reading.

Paula xxx




 

[winic1]

It is possible to introduce degus at any age. It has to be done carefully and slowly, with lots of patience on your part, but many have successfully done this. I'll let those with more experience speak up to advise you. You can start reading our guides on this here: deguworld.proboards.com/board/28/fighting-issues-introductions. Then experienced members can help you with what's the most current and best information to use from this, as methods have changed and developed over time with more experiences.

It is NOT advised to house degus with guinea pigs or rats. Their diet needs are too different, and the health of one or the other, or both, will likely suffer.

So sorry you and your last degu girl have lost all the others. It's so sad when the survivor is lonely.

[deguconvert]

Hey Paula! Welcome to the forum! I am so sorry for your losses and for the loneliness of Little Red! I am on my way to bed, but will answer this in the morning. At least, I will add any thoughts I may have. Do read the links that Winic1 gave you, and if you have questions, please ask away. I am sure we can help you.

BTW . . . knowing where you are is often very helpful. We might be able to suggest where to look for some ladies to introduce.

[moletteuk]

I'm sorry for your loss.

It's nonsense that they shouldn't be introduced, granted it can be difficult, but if she is feeling the loneliness hard, then she ought to be easier to introduce.

The best thing to do is to look around for another single or possibly pair of older females, that way their pace of life matches better and emotions don't run as high. Try local rescues and rehoming sites.

The best way to do an introduction is to have them live side by side with a meeting place on the same level for a while.

[judecat3000]

My Little Red is about 8 or so. I am in Worthing, West Sussex. The previous owners lied though heir teeth, said the girls were hand tame, etc. They weren't. The most I have managed is a sniff and nibble. The odd nose stroke. She isn't even really eating now, just a little hay, I emptied her cage and she isn't even eating her beloved peanuts. She has been hiding them under the hay.

[Xellie]

The mourning process is so heartbreaking to watch, but let her tell you what she needs. She might be off her food for a bit and lay around like a deflated balloon. (I went through this recently with my 8 year old) - it was upsetting to watch but eventually he pulled through and became very attentive toward me, whereas before I wouldn't have called him "tame". She might only want the yummiest of food, my go to was organic vegetable baby foods when my boy was mourning.

Don't rush into finding her a buddy, she might find it very upsetting and confusing when she's still mourning.

Also consider that just having another goo nearby (not necessarily in the same cage) is also fairly comforting when they are lonely. It's part of the introduction process anyway, so even if it doesn't work out, getting her friends eventually would be good I think.

[deguconvert]

That is so very distressing, Judecat3000 . . . and I am sure your heart is just breaking!

Have you looked for any older degus that might be up for adoption? I would totally encourage you to look for one or two to bring into your home and introduce to her. She will perk up, just hearing and smelling them in the house. It will give her interest in the day, and that will ignite a little fire in her to keep on going. Degus have been known to die from grief, and I have to admit . . . I am thinking that her refusal of her favorite treats sounds like she is giving up.

Our family started with two males, and one died rather tragically just two months after we got them. Not wanting the one to be alone, we brought in two more young males. After we finally got them successfully introduced, they were well and truly bonded with each other. All three just did everything together, and were the best of buddies. Then one died in his sleep five years later. At first the two remaining boys seemed OK, but then I realized they had both been losing weight. They got thinner, became lethargic, and were refusing their treats, and barely touching their food. At this point, two months after the other had died, I thought, MY GOODNESS! These two are going to just grieve themselves to death!! I went out and got two young ones, and right away they started to perk up. Now . . . that story and the events that followed took a completely unexpected tangent because the two new, vet certified males, proved beyond any doubt that they were female when they each delivered litters of six pups each . . . but as I said . . . that's another story. ROFL

My point is, I think if you can get your hands on one or two other females, it will do wonders for Little Red.

[moletteuk]

Does she have a heatpad? They can do wonders for keeping old or lonely degus more comfortable.

[judecat3000]

No, she doesn't, does anyone know of anywhere I might find Degus for sale? Having owned Chinchillas before, I wanted Degus instead, I had to travel down to Fordingbridge in The New Forest to get my four. It's killing me listening to her whistle for her Sisters. I'll go onto amazon and get a heat pad, I didn't realise that one would help. but she really needs company.

It'll be a little awkward to fit another cage at the top of the stairs, but I may be able to to a bit of a Heath Robinson and put metal mesh barriers in place to seperate the cage into two initially.

[sonataarctica89]

Not a great place given where you are but the RSPCA on the isle of wight have multiple still up for adoption. I'm sure given the current situation they maybe able to come up with a better way for you to possibly get one.

As for introducing new degus to old ones yep it's a pain I'm going through the same thing but it gets easier slowly just use old socks or stuff if you get another so they can do whatnot to it then just swap them around

[bouncy]

Raystede has a neutered lone male for adoption? Nearby, too!

Raystede.org

[deguconvert]

OH! BOUNCY!! That is an excellent new option!!