degus not eating

[tropicana84]

Hi, I just bought 2 degu a few days ago, and bought food from Petsmart www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754946&cp=2767038.2769315&fbx=0&fbn=Pet+Type+1|Chinchilla&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2769315&f=PAD%2FPet+Type+1%2FChinchilla&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1

The first time I gave it to them, they only ate the good stuff (not the pellets). I know that they should be eating the pellets for nutritional reasons so after letting them eat the 'good stuff' a few more times, I just starting giving them the pellets. The pet store said they fed them a mix of chinchilla/guinea pig food. Any food I looked at all had molasses in it so the link I showed was the one I had to buy.
They havent eaten the pellets at all. Will they eventually give in and eat them, or will they just choose to live on their Timothy Hay and chew all the wood? They had only the pellets available (plus hay) last night and so far today.
I did order some Sun Seed Degu food, but it has awhile before it comes in to me. (hopefully they eat it!!)
Should I just keep giving them the dried veggies and forget the pellets so they dont starve themselves til then?
Thanks!

[kimberley]

It says its got fruit in it? degus arent allowed any fruit. Its got natural sugar (which can cause diabetes) in it so I have no idea why they advised u on that mix!

[tropicana84]

so far i've only seen 1 raisin
the rest is veggies and the green pellets. i havent given them any fruit yet.
theyre pretty happy and come up to me, so theyre not too timid in their surroundings to eat either. maybe the pellets are just not tasty or i spoiled them too fast by offering them the veggies as a first meal?

[kimberley]

definately pick the fruit out! Mine r the opposite they wont touch veggies! Id just keep giving them the pellets for just now with hay and a small amount of veg (too much can give diaorreah). My vet said that hay should be the main component of their diet anyway. In England they sell a guinea pig food called Gerty guinea pig i give my boys some of that as well degu food and chinchilla pellets. Maybe u could have a look for that in the pet stores over the weekend? Just be careful though the one ive got at the moment doesnt contain any sugar and v little fat. One rogue bag i came across however did say it had sugar in (whether they were testing out new ingredients or what i duno!) I duno wots come over my boys tonight they are all over me as I type this!!!

[tropicana84]

i caught one of them eating the pellets a few moments ago.
i guess it was a matter of time
thanks

[kerry]

i do think it takes them time to settle down and make sure what you are giving them is food. lol. being patient with these wonderful animals can have wonderful rewards.

[jolie]

I give my guys this brand (Charlie Chinchilla) mixed with Kaytee's Fiesta Guinea Pig food. And I pick all the fruit out. Works fine, but I too find that if they can get away with eating only the good stuff (the kibble things and grains) they'll leave the pellets. Silly goos.