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Newbie
Mar 22, 2009 21:12:23 GMT
Post by gordon on Mar 22, 2009 21:12:23 GMT
Hi all!!
Newbie here to the degu world!! I getting my first degu in the next 48hrs. I been checking up all websites that i could find but none answer the question that i propose. I already have two chinchillas and i am looking to put the degu in with them but how do i introduce them to each other?
All info welcome.
Gordon
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Newbie
Mar 22, 2009 22:02:32 GMT
Post by deguconvert on Mar 22, 2009 22:02:32 GMT
Well . . . although there are people on here that have had degus and chins together, the general consensus is not to house them together. It can be difficult to introduce degus to degus, introducing a degu to chins is going to be more difficult. There is the difference of species and the difference of habits that must both be overcome. Chins are, as you know, nocturnal, whereas degus are biurnal, so very active throughout the day. That will disrupt the sleeping patterns of your chins. Degus have very different food needs, and must not be allowed any of the fruit or sugar/honey/molassas based products that chins eat. I have heard that degus can be very aggressive with chins, and either animal can be much wounded.
Do you have a cage ready to put your degu into? Do you know that they are highly social animals and thrive best in groups of two or more? If you really want to try introducing them, I would put their cages next to each other so that they can get used to the sight and smell of each other. Then I would, in a couple of weeks, perhaps allow them out for a play time in a neutral area, with a couple of tools on hand. A towel, and a spray bottle of water. That way if fighting breaks out, you can squirt with water to stop the fight, and throw a towel over the animal so as to catch and dry it more easily. DON'T take this as the way to do this, as I have no experience myself with cross species introduction for same cage habitation. There are many others on here with excellent experience and wisdom. Hopefully they will offer some thoughts and advice.
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Newbie
Mar 22, 2009 23:48:38 GMT
Post by emz on Mar 22, 2009 23:48:38 GMT
I really agree with deguconvert on this, the differences in diet is a good enough reason not to house them together. Degus are very prone to getting diabetes. If you really want a degu get a second cage and buy 2 or more. Degus thrive personality wise with company and will also according to what I read live longer better lives with fellow degu companionship.
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Newbie
Mar 23, 2009 13:57:26 GMT
Post by phe on Mar 23, 2009 13:57:26 GMT
hello and welcome to the boards jd has chins n degus together n wen ppl ask this question he tends to say its not a good idea, they came to him together so he left them together but wouldnt have put them together. i think neway memory aint to great i know its been said above but i want to express the importance of degus having other degu company... u should never buy a single degu, and u should make this very known to whomever u r getting the little love off, they should not let them be taken singly only in twos or more, its cruel and gives ppl who want to get degus the wrong impression most of whom wouldnt dream of being cruel to any animal. perhaps pm jackdaniels for more info on chins n degus if u want but im sure hel say the same as deguconvert xx xxx xx
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