I want to build a little house for my degu !

[Grace]

I want to use some woods to make a little house for my degu,but there is a problem,I can't use glue because they might bite woods and eat the glue.
Do anyone knows how can I do ?

[laiyah]

I believe there are pet safe glue. Due to being in different countries tho, I don't think I can recommend brands I was told were pet safe.

Other option is to build it like ferplast's small wooden house I use during vacation :
www.amazon.fr/Ferplast-Maison-bois-Sin-XL/dp/B00BEF2QZC#cr-media-gallery-popover_1698570159098
The video in the reviews (comments) shows you how it is done. There are slits on the wood boards so they can slide into place.

Last option is to nail or screw boards together. But I personally would avoid that if your degu chews on the wood, as they could hurt themselves.

[moletteuk]

I always used screws as they remain visible so you can keep an eye out if they chew near them.

[savvy]

Taking size difference into account, to us screws are quite small, but to a degu, they are large enough to chew around without too much difficulty.

Also screws can be replaced quickly and easily if necessary,

I'd use screws.

[laiyah]

It's a personal thing, but when I'm worried about the screw, I use the flat screws ? I think that's how you call them. It just doesn't have the pointy end, so you have to use a nut to fasten it.

EDIT : Also, I read on facebook some people use wooden dowels to keep the house together !

[bouncy]

Flat screws, I think you mean countersunk (so the top is flush with the wood).

I've used screws, glue, and even panel pins when making stairs, ramps, and other things for my goos, and have never had a problem. As the others say, you can see problems coming if they chew!

Dowels are a great idea, but you will definitely need to glue them!

[winic1]

Oct 29, 2023 15:30:34 GMT laiyah said:

It's a personal thing, but when I'm worried about the screw, I use the flat screws ? I think that's how you call them. It just doesn't have the pointy end, so you have to use a nut to fasten it.

EDIT : Also, I read on facebook some people use wooden dowels to keep the house together !

Wood screws have the pointy end.
Machine screws have the flat end.  I would not use the nut to fasten it, as if they work it off and eat it, that could be just as bad.  If you drill the holes for the machine screws, you don't need to use the nut.  Just carefully pick the size of the drill bit so that the hole is tight for the screw, but that it is still possible to work the machine screw into the hole/wood.

We always used machine screws for things we made.

Wooden pegs would work, too.  Again, you would have to drill the holes just right to fit them.  Or use toothpicks alongside the pegs to make sure the pegs went in tightly.

[bouncy]

I agree with Winic that they will try to eat nuts. However, if you are prepared to pay more, locking nuts are great. I used to have an entire cage built by bolting panels over a metal frame. Not one of the locking nuts even loosened!