Is 80 degrees too hot for raising a degu?

[ishotthepilot]

Hello all! Due to owning a large house, electricity is expensive and the house is at a constant temperature of 78-81 degrees. I've heard plenty of different temperatures that degu's can endure and I wanted to know if he will get a heat stroke at this range?

I was thinking of getting rock/block and putting it in the freezer then the cage to cool it off. I also can have a fan constantly running to circulate the air because the room i will keep it in has an air vent.

Will these variables fix the temperature problem? I would really appreciate the advice.

[ishotthepilot]

Sorry I should have specified more. I don't actually own a degu as of yet. My friend is giving her's away and I'm trying to figure out if the heat of my house would be dangerous to it before I tell my friend i'll take it. I'm also looking into getting another one if I do end up taking my friends. Would a chinchilla make a good companion as well out of curiosity?

[amie]

I'd advise against housing a degu and chinchilla together. They are very different in a lot of their requirements. I'd look for a six week old male degu to house with the little guy

[moletteuk]

It's quite a bit hotter than the recommended temperature range for degus, which is 17 to 22 degrees celsius (80F is 26.6C), and I understand degus do not sweat and have big difficulties controlling their body temp outside this range.

[sophie9901]

Hey hun, If you think it's too warm I really recommend one of these: www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/chinchilla-cool-tile-chinchilla-granite-slab-p-524.html

You can regularly put it in the fridge to cool it too! Goo's/Chins love running onto it when they get too warm, my 4 love it anyway, I have 1 in each of their cages! I hope this helps anyone else that worries about their little ones getting too warm!

[sophie9901]

That is very true - It wouldn't be great if it was constant heat!

[ishotthepilot]

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies! I'm probably going to lean towards not getting it sadly My house is constantly at 80-81 and as much as an ice block/fan will help, I'm thinking it probably won't be enough. If there are any other cooling suggestions as well as an ice block then I'm all ears! I'd turn up the air conditioner but it's much too expensive.

[sophie9901]

ishotthepilot I think that's a really sensible decision and really nice that you are thinking of the welfare of the goo's! I'm not sure on any other things that could change your decision or the heat situation to be honest, but maybe someone else has an idea?

Sorry that I can't be of any more help!!