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Post by 4390evans on Dec 22, 2007 11:15:50 GMT
i got my degus a little while ago now but hardlys ever handle them although i talk to them daily and feed them through the cage and they take nicely the previous owners said one of the females bit him and i have been wary as im nervos of getting hurt i did take alfie out of his cage and wrapped him in a towel when they picked on him (poor thing has half a tail and cataracts) and he was fine i can tell who he is and which one he is as he looks different but the rest im wary of. ive noticed since i started feeding them through the cage they run to the side when someone walkes up the stairs begging for treats even if its the dog. so they are getting used to me.
i was told the pain is unbearable when they bite has anyone been bit or has anyone got advice
thanx for reading
jen
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jim
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 154
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Post by jim on Dec 22, 2007 11:18:20 GMT
So long as you don't startle them or cause pain to a degu, they will not bite you! Just ensure you handle them properly and try not to corner them - they really dislike that. And avoid picking them up from above as it's similar to a bird of pray swooping down.
Open your cage and sit by it, cup out your hands and put a piece of food on your palm. With luck, they'll happily take food out of your hands. Let them do this for a week or two and see how it goes...
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Post by 4390evans on Dec 22, 2007 18:44:00 GMT
ok thanx for that i will try that tonight
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Post by buzz on Dec 22, 2007 19:44:08 GMT
I agree with Jim. I also think that feeding through bars encourages nipping as they may bite (if you put your finger through that is) thinking its food.
As for the pain being unbearable I think thats a bit far fetched. Don't be afraid of a bite, it will make things worse if you worry. Do what Jim says with regards to picking them up. Also you could check for warning signs like grinding teeth or pushing your hand away with their paw.. it means leave me alone according to what I've read.
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Post by kerry on Dec 22, 2007 22:41:41 GMT
my poor rescued goo bit me. all my fault as i grabbed her when she tried to run away from the cat!
whilst it did hurt, i got over it and still handle them all as i ever have done. like other people have said try not to startle them. i have even sat with my hand in the cage letting them groom me etc. just also make sure your hands dont smell like food!!!
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Post by 4390evans on Dec 23, 2007 18:13:04 GMT
i sat with my degus last night and just left the cage door open for them to come out and sure enough our alfie came bounding out then sally came out but she was more interested in getting into the chins bedroom alfie came and sat in my hands nibbling on his treats of over 15 mins, me being eager lifed him up and held him close and he didnt mind at all alfie has always seemed fine (poor mite been through so much i think he's gratefull for the nice attention) but its one of the girls that bit the previous owner and i cant tell the difference between them as both girls look identical so unsure which to be wary of. but fingers and paws crossed things are gettting better i noticed i can check there health better as alfie was bleeding not so long ago but couldnt see where it was comming from then i noticed last night that his toe nail is growing back, ive also noticed they enjoy the hoover does anyone else's critters like strange things
thanx guys for your help
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Post by bandit on Dec 27, 2007 19:08:37 GMT
I used to have a hampster and they bite hard and dont let go, so from the Goo's point of view i dont put my fingers to the cage on purpose, they do nibble (groom) when i out hand in to do food, or sort out wheel, but sometimes Bo will nibble a bit too hard, but i just pull my hand away.
My goo's dont like my hoover they move as far away as they can when it goes lol.
They are very nosy too, so if im changing the water bottle then they will come see what im doing.
Bo is the nosiest of all and was the first on the wheel, the fist in their sand, the first at the food bowl.
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luke
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 186
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Post by luke on Dec 27, 2007 20:01:33 GMT
Lol I've been bitten. It dosnt hurt that much... They were so hyper it was stupid.. they were running up and down the tiers of the cage at speeds that put cheetahs to shame.. I put my hand through the wire as Alvin had come to the side (I was on my bed) so i put my finger through to give him a stroke and he did a very quick snap at my finger. I was shocked.. and I did not no why he had done it.. I probably startled him. It dosnt hurt to much.. luckily he did not hold on and I think he felt bad after he realised it was me.. He came to the door and gave my hand a groom =).
Also Theodore, hes abit of a groomer. He loves to groom and is very passionate about keeping my hand clean.. He just gets abit carried away and nibbles abit to hard.. He made me bleed once but that didnt hurt one bit.. He only just got under my skin =) and it was on the tip so it was not far to go.
But like dogs I think they can sense fear etc and will act upon it, as when I first got them a couple of days ago I was very VERY nervous about handling them and I didn't dare hold them or stroke them and I'd put my hand in very shakely and they'd come rite over and start nibbling me, but I thought they were biting me so I quickly drew away. I bealive also, when you pull your hand away they think it is food or a predator so just give them a puff of air to the face (not to hard.. it'll scare them) just so they back off abit. They will soon get the message.
Now my little theodore is such a curious bugger.. Hes so darn stubborn.. I open the cage and he will jump rite out. I'll put him back and he'll jump rite out again.. So I block his way and he will try dig through my hand with his nose!
Well, anyway.. Keep calm I'm sure they are just scared and nervous around you at the moment. The more you put your hand in and let them sniff and nibble the more they get used to it and your hand will soon become one of the family =)
Good luck,
Luke~
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Post by degu girl on Jan 23, 2008 20:04:46 GMT
What me and my partner do is take turns just sitting next to the cage with our hand in the door, our goo's will come up to investigate and will gradually come onto our hands. ;D They sometimes have a little nibble but they haven't bitten.  |
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Post by TiffaLynn on Jan 26, 2008 7:41:38 GMT
i sat with my degus last night and just left the cage door open for them to come out and sure enough our alfie came bounding out then sally came out but she was more interested in getting into the chins bedroom alfie came and sat in my hands nibbling on his treats of over 15 mins, me being eager lifed him up and held him close and he didnt mind at all alfie has always seemed fine (poor mite been through so much i think he's gratefull for the nice attention) but its one of the girls that bit the previous owner and i cant tell the difference between them as both girls look identical so unsure which to be wary of. but fingers and paws crossed things are gettting better i noticed i can check there health better as alfie was bleeding not so long ago but couldnt see where it was comming from then i noticed last night that his toe nail is growing back, ive also noticed they enjoy the hoover does anyone else's critters like strange things thanx guys for your help as in a vacuume cleaner? |
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