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Post by rsnooks on Oct 30, 2007 14:15:47 GMT
Hi,
Within the past week i have got my first Degu Pair.
They seem very content at the moment with each other but don't like any interaction by either myself or my girlfriend. (Getting them out of the box and into their cage on the first night led to me getting bitten.)
I intend on spending a minimum of an hour a day with them to try and get them to be more tame but after they don't seem interested at all and always bite.
Is this normal and do i just have to keep at it untill they accept me or will continued handling (when they obviously arn't interested) cause them stress?
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Post by kerry on Oct 30, 2007 22:36:51 GMT
hi, they can be very shy. also a lot can depend on how old they are and where you got them from. did you get them from a pet shop?
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Post by rsnooks on Oct 31, 2007 18:05:34 GMT
hi, they can be very shy. also a lot can depend on how old they are and where you got them from. did you get them from a pet shop? Yeh, we got them from a pet shop. They didn't know their exact age but said they are still pretty young. One of them seems to warmed up abit more to me (likes to groom my hand when i put it in the cage) but the other is still VERY shy and seems to be scared alot. I think the one that is less shy must be the boss, but is it right for him to stop the other from doing anything? The boss (named him Trouble for his knack of escaping) seems to stop Coco (the shy one) from going on the running wheel or the dust bath even if Trouble isn't using it. |
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Post by ra on Oct 31, 2007 20:59:41 GMT
It will take time a patients but they will come around. The more time you can spend sitting with them quietly the better. For the first couple of weeks I wouldn't try to pick them up. Just put your hand in the cage and allow them to approach you. They are quick movers and are easily startled. Don't make and fast or sudden movements yourself. Speak in quiet tones. Try not to laugh, or make any loud exclamations though they can be very amusing. They do nibble and sometimes even bite a little harder than you'd like at first. I put up with pinches etc but if mine bit harder than acceptable I would withdraw my hand and leave the room. That helps to teach them the limits of what you will and will not allow.
Yes, the dominate Degu will want to be first at everything and may push the more timid Degu away from food, their wheel, toys etc. It makes us humans uncomfortable sometimes but it is acceptable in the Degu world. A pecking order has to be established and maintained for the Degu family to feel safe and secure.
Offer them a treat or two allowing them to come to you and take the treat from your hand. Eventually they will great you at the cage door looking forward to interaction. They are not pocket pets like guinea pigs but they are very intelligent, curious, and amusing little creatures.
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Post by rsnooks on Nov 1, 2007 18:19:50 GMT
It will take time a patients but they will come around. The more time you can spend sitting with them quietly the better. For the first couple of weeks I wouldn't try to pick them up. Just put your hand in the cage and allow them to approach you. They are quick movers and are easily startled. Don't make and fast or sudden movements yourself. Speak in quiet tones. Try not to laugh, or make any loud exclamations though they can be very amusing. They do nibble and sometimes even bite a little harder than you'd like at first. I put up with pinches etc but if mine bit harder than acceptable I would withdraw my hand and leave the room. That helps to teach them the limits of what you will and will not allow. Yes, the dominate Degu will want to be first at everything and may push the more timid Degu away from food, their wheel, toys etc. It makes us humans uncomfortable sometimes but it is acceptable in the Degu world. A pecking order has to be established and maintained for the Degu family to feel safe and secure. Offer them a treat or two allowing them to come to you and take the treat from your hand. Eventually they will great you at the cage door looking forward to interaction. They are not pocket pets like guinea pigs but they are very intelligent, curious, and amusing little creatures. Some great info there, thanks. What would you use as a treat? |
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Post by rsnooks on Nov 2, 2007 11:09:39 GMT
This is going to sound like a weird question but...
Do Degu's have any diseases they can pass onto humans?
Ever since my degu's started grooming my hand (sniffing, nibbling, general playing etc), one of my finger nails have started to get a yellow tinge to it (a bit like with smokers).
Am i just being paranoid or could this be a problem?
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jim
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 154
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Post by jim on Nov 2, 2007 15:24:19 GMT
Remember that each and every degu is different in personality, which is what sets them apart from other rodents IMHO.
My two new additions love being handled, every member of our household held them on the first night of their stay! Just keep trying and you'll crack them eventually. It'll be frustrating and at times painful [literally] but it'll be worth it. My oldest degu, Chili, has only just begun to allow me to hold him and this is after a year.
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Post by rsnooks on Nov 2, 2007 19:26:09 GMT
Remember that each and every degu is different in personality, which is what sets them apart from other rodents IMHO. My two new additions love being handled, every member of our household held them on the first night of their stay! Just keep trying and you'll crack them eventually. It'll be frustrating and at times painful [literally] but it'll be worth it. My oldest degu, Chili, has only just begun to allow me to hold him and this is after a year. They are definately getting used to me now, even the shy one comes to the edge of the cage to see me when i get home from work. |
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