Minimal diet

[skern49]

Hi all,

While I was away for the weekend my 2 goos escaped from their wooden cage (that has since been replaced). Of the many things they did while free, they managed to get to the bag of sunflower seeds and horded it in their new favorite corner. They also got to the container of oats. Thankfully there weren't many seeds lying around and when I looked in the bag there's not many empty shells. Still, I'm concerned.

They seem fatter than normal (though it's probably partly mind over matter), though they were also without a wheel for about a week. I've attached a photo. Anyway, I want to put them on a diet (I'm feeding them Vita Exotics Sunseed degu-specific food and hay). Any advice as to the exact measurements would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sasha

Attachments:

[degualot]

If it was only for two days I wouldn't be overly concerned. even if they lived off seeds and oats, they would of eventually got full and stopped eating and most likely hoarded the rest. Two days wouldn't be enough to cause health issues. It would if they lived on oats and sunflower seeds everyday in huge quantities but this is not the case. Put it this way with free range to the room for a whole weekend, I'm suspecting they were probably having to much fun to simply concentrate on treats.

As long as they didn't eat anything else which could cause them problems don't worry about it. They probably enjoyed every minute of it.

Also it's a good idea to regularly weigh them say once a week, that way you don't have to guess by looking at them if they have lost or gained weight. Also you might want to weigh them just to see what their weight is anyway. 200g-290g is a good weight range, something between that. It's ok if it's a little over. Like you say it could just be the fact you know they have been at the sunflowers and oats so your mind is making you think they have gained weight. Again to reiterate just weigh them and keep a log, then you'll know if something is up in future. Although the weight still may fluctuate a few grams here and there.

Unless they are massively overweight Degu's I wouldn't put them on any special diet with the hope to lose weight. They may not even be overweight. I would recommend just feeding them as you normally would. Like I say weigh them first and please let me know.



if you don't mind me asking, why didn't they have a wheel for a week?

[skern49]

Thanks for your reply. I feel better now.

What do you use to weigh them?

They were without a wheel because it broke the very minute I was leaving to catch a plane to be gone for 4 days. I was planning on ordering a new wheel while I was gone, then I realized that their new cage (which was on its way) might not be able to fit the wheel I wanted. When it arrived a day or two after I got back, it wasn't big enough, so then I had to go find another wheel.

That's actually another issue. Their new cage (a two-story 10 gallon tank topper) barely misses out on fitting a 12" wheel, so I was forced to buy them an 8.5" wheel. It's just big enough them for them to run, though it doesn't seem like ideal running. I saw the flying saucer but it's too expensive and I'm not sure that would fit either. Any thoughts?

[degualot]

An ordinary kitchen scale used to weigh ingredients will do the trick. Personally I like the electronic kind, I find them easier to use when weighing Degu's. It may take some practice but just try and quickly get their weight while keeping them on the scales, you may need to attempt this a few times.

just a question do you often leave your Degu's by themselves for more than 4 days at a time. Does anyone check on them?, It's just I never leave my Degu's for more than a day because they can get up to things and get themselves into deep trouble sometimes, even in there cages. If you leave them unattended for a few days, I would recommend getting someone to check on them daily or when ever possible.

8.5" is a little on the small side as you pointed out, this may be a quick solution but I would have a look around for another 12" wheel just because through time 8.5" may hurt their back and could develop problems later in life.

Also regarding cage sizes, If I think I got your cage right, it's size is

20½" wide x 10½" deep x 24" high:

If this is your cage dimentions, I'm afraid it's quite small even taking into account it has three levels.

On this site we have away of calculating how big a cage should be for X number of Degu's. It takes into account the cumulative available running area or CARA for short.

Here's the link to the details to help you understand:

deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=9396

If I calculated correctly your CARA rating is only 600 in CARA inches give or take. The recommneded minimum CARA for 2 Degus is 1800 CARA inches.

We do a lot of cage building on this site, mainly because Pet stores don't usually stock cages of the size required to happily house Degus.

Have a look around the site and visit the cage section to look at what's going on. ;

[skern49]

Thank you for your concern.

No, I do not normally leave my goos. Over the holidays my girlfriend was gone the entire time and I visited family on 2 separate occasions. I had people visiting them daily on both occasions, but I didn't feel comfortable asking the 2nd person to buy a wheel. Trust me, I'm an extremely worrisome pet-owner (and person).

Regarding the wheel, the 12 incher wouldn't fit. The levels are each 12 inches, and the wheel would be a bit taller because of its stand. Perhaps I could try a 12" wheel that is attached to the cage rather than supported by a stand. Even then it'd be close...

I know my cage is not the biggest. However, I have it connected to a 2-level book case (I leave one of the cage doors open so they can go back and forth). That adds some space. More importantly, I let them out a lot. I goo-proof the apartment and then let them go crazy.

Eventually I hope to expand the cage even more, but budgets are budgets (I currently have no time to build one, as much as I'd like to.)

[degualot]

Thats good to hear about the book case and letting them out. It's no problem. Not everyone is in a position to build their own cage but it sounds like your doing your best and that's all that can be asked.

It sounds like you really take care of your Degu's so that's great.

I'm in the process of building my own cage, I'm busy moving so haven't constructed it yet, but I can't wait to get it done.

So about the diet, just feed them normally and give them a weigh anyway you can, borrow some scales if you can, if you haven't got any.

Also if it sounds like i'm implying things, i'm not and sorry it sounds like that. I guess the problem with reading comments, you can't hear the person voice. haha