Post by deguconvert on May 19, 2022 21:38:13 GMT
There is no way to guarantee that there will not be fighting. You wouldn't want to take in a degu that is a pup, because the energy and then the adolescent dominance phase of growth in the pup would be very challenging for Rodney. If you were to find a lone male degu that is 5+ years and you took your time with introductions . . . you might find that they very quickly bond and get along. However . . . degus are full of personality, and there are times when one, or both, will decide they can't stand the other and will actively/aggressively reject them. Those situations don't usually mend themselves. That doesn't mean it's not possible though! It can be done, and we would be here to help you along the way.
BTW, we recommend having a second full cage to house the new degu while you are introducing them. It is not wise to just bring one in and put them together into the same cage. Any strange degu suddenly entering into the territory of the original degu(s) will be viewed as an aggressive intruder and war is highly likely to erupt.
I was thinking to recommend a female companion, but even at the age of 8, there is the potential that Rodney would successfully mate with a female, and then you would have pups, which is a whole other situation. You would have to separate him from the female before she gives birth to prevent further pregnancies, and that would cause great distress for him and her both. You would have to have housing to accommodate the pups, for find homes for them. We would recommend that you consider having Rodney neutered, but with his age, the risks for it do increase. So, going the route of a female is fraught with risks to Rodney. You don't want to look at having a female neutered . . . they have even greater risks in the surgery.
BTW, we recommend having a second full cage to house the new degu while you are introducing them. It is not wise to just bring one in and put them together into the same cage. Any strange degu suddenly entering into the territory of the original degu(s) will be viewed as an aggressive intruder and war is highly likely to erupt.
I was thinking to recommend a female companion, but even at the age of 8, there is the potential that Rodney would successfully mate with a female, and then you would have pups, which is a whole other situation. You would have to separate him from the female before she gives birth to prevent further pregnancies, and that would cause great distress for him and her both. You would have to have housing to accommodate the pups, for find homes for them. We would recommend that you consider having Rodney neutered, but with his age, the risks for it do increase. So, going the route of a female is fraught with risks to Rodney. You don't want to look at having a female neutered . . . they have even greater risks in the surgery.
