Post by kyri on Jun 21, 2011 12:13:22 GMT
Hiya, I'm Kyri, and my boyfriend and I have recently become owners of two beautiful little degus, named Reno and Jean.
I fell in love with degus years ago when I happened upon them at a pet shop, but didn't have the funds at the time to support them. Then a few days ago, on a spur of the moment trip I found these two in their cage at the back of the shop and I knew I had to have them. They're both boys, but sadly their age is undetermined
I've done as much research as possible but the different websites have conflicting information, and being the worrywort that I am, I don't want to risk their health in any way, and was hoping someone more experienced could give me a few tips.
First thing is, what kind of cardboard is safe for them? I know to avoid newspapers, but does that also include coloured card such as food boxes? I've had to line the base of the cage with card to stop their little feet from standing on the wire, but it concerns me that I shouldn't have done. :s
Second thing, one of the degus, Jean, is a little bit chubby, and a bit lazy. I'm worried about his food intake. Even with two bowls he seems to eat all the food! Is there anyway I can get some food to Reno without Jean eating it all?
Same with treats, I'm still in the process of taming them (sitting by their cage reading sci-fi novels ) and yesterday Jean was brave enough to take half a sunflower seed off of my hand! I put the second half on, and Reno was coming towards it (he's still rather skittish) when Jean jumped over for it, I tried moving my hand slowly out of the cage to deter him, but to no avail, he followed me and so I figured he'd earned it.
This however leads to Jean getting the treats and Reno getting none. Is there any easy way to even it out?
Also, how many sunflowers seeds are they allowed to consume daily? Should I switch to oats instead? *neurotic*
Sorry for the wall of text ^^;
Also this is a fantastic website, it's lovely to see other people with the same love of the little goos. Whenever I tell anyone irl that I've got degus they usually say "bless you" xD
Thanks x
I fell in love with degus years ago when I happened upon them at a pet shop, but didn't have the funds at the time to support them. Then a few days ago, on a spur of the moment trip I found these two in their cage at the back of the shop and I knew I had to have them. They're both boys, but sadly their age is undetermined
I've done as much research as possible but the different websites have conflicting information, and being the worrywort that I am, I don't want to risk their health in any way, and was hoping someone more experienced could give me a few tips.
First thing is, what kind of cardboard is safe for them? I know to avoid newspapers, but does that also include coloured card such as food boxes? I've had to line the base of the cage with card to stop their little feet from standing on the wire, but it concerns me that I shouldn't have done. :s
Second thing, one of the degus, Jean, is a little bit chubby, and a bit lazy. I'm worried about his food intake. Even with two bowls he seems to eat all the food! Is there anyway I can get some food to Reno without Jean eating it all?
Same with treats, I'm still in the process of taming them (sitting by their cage reading sci-fi novels ) and yesterday Jean was brave enough to take half a sunflower seed off of my hand! I put the second half on, and Reno was coming towards it (he's still rather skittish) when Jean jumped over for it, I tried moving my hand slowly out of the cage to deter him, but to no avail, he followed me and so I figured he'd earned it.
This however leads to Jean getting the treats and Reno getting none. Is there any easy way to even it out?
Also, how many sunflowers seeds are they allowed to consume daily? Should I switch to oats instead? *neurotic*
Sorry for the wall of text ^^;
Also this is a fantastic website, it's lovely to see other people with the same love of the little goos. Whenever I tell anyone irl that I've got degus they usually say "bless you" xD
Thanks x