How to choose a cage for degu (Chilean squirrel), care rules and diet.

Keeping degus at home

If you decide to make a degu as your pet, then first of all you should take into account that these animals do not get along well with other animals. Therefore, it is better to take them into the family as your only favorites. In order to avoid problems with keeping a degu, you must initially choose the right pet.

Which animal should I buy?

Degus are not yet very common in pet stores, so you can purchase this pet mainly from breeders or in a nursery. They are also sometimes sold at the Bird Market, but this is one of the least reliable places to purchase an animal, since sellers often do not provide complete information about its health.

When buying a degu you need to pay attention to several basic parameters

1. The age of the animal is from one and a half months and older.
2. Clean, shiny eyes, no sticky eyelashes.
3. The two yellow upper incisors should be visible without any damage.
4. Shiny, tightly lying coat with no signs of loss.
5. The animal should behave actively, but treat the outstretched hand with tension.
6. There should be a fluffy tassel at the end of the tail.
7. The cost of degu is from 500 rubles and above. You should not chase a low price, as it usually hides some shortcomings.

If the animal does not meet these signs, then it is most likely sick. And treating degus is expensive, so it’s better to abandon this option and look for a more suitable one.

Degu cage

In order for your new pet to live in comfort and safety, he needs his own home. The cage for the Chilean squirrel should be spacious, preferably multi-story. Stairs and various passages will make the home almost ideal. It is advisable to use metal as a material for the cage, since wood and plastic will easily yield to the teeth of a rodent.

Like almost any pet, degus need to play and have fun. For this purpose, the cage must have appropriate devices. Houses, ropes, shelves at different levels, a running wheel and a hammock will make your pet's life rich and active. But the best thing, of course, is a second similar squirrel for games.

Degus also need a place for hygiene procedures. These animals are never washed with water; they use special zeolite sand to clean their fur. A container with this sand must be placed in the cage every day, and after completing hygiene procedures, it must be removed, otherwise the degu will begin to use it as a toilet.

Daily regime

Degus sleep at night and are awake during the day. In the morning and evening, the animals can be released to walk around the room. This will bring pleasure to both the squirrels themselves and their owners, since at such moments they can play with their pets. The rest of the day, the kids will have fun in the cage on their own, stopping for food and other necessary procedures.

What to feed your degu squirrel

One of the main parameters of quality housing is proper feeding. Animals need to be given plant foods:

• hay;
• grass;
• corn;
• roots;
• special pellets;
• fruits;
• nuts.

For feeding, you can purchase ready-made mixtures for degus or chinchillas at pet stores. But if you have the time and desire, you can prepare food for your pets yourself. Typically, this food consists of a mixture of oatmeal with dry peas and various grains. But good hay is best suited for food, which should be constantly present in the feeder. You can also let squirrels chew on different branches, but not from stone fruit trees: cherry, apricot, plum.

Degus have quite sensitive digestion, so their diet must be carefully controlled. You should not give the entire daily diet at once, it should be divided into 4-5 servings. In addition to the main diet, degus should eat greens, vegetables and unsweetened fruits daily.

The body of Chilean squirrels is not adapted to break down sugar, so these little ones have a serious tendency to diabetes. Some foods should absolutely not be given to them, otherwise there is a high risk of developing this disease:

• sweet and overripe fruits;
• any treats containing sugar;
• milk and any fermented milk products;
• food from the human table;
• meat and fish.

It is also better to keep indoor flowers away from these rodents. Some plants are very poisonous to them, for example, Dieffenbachia, Sansiviera, indoor calla lily, palm lily, aralia, stringworm and many others. Degus are very inquisitive and gluttonous; given the opportunity, they will not miss the chance to taste greens. But such a tiny piece is enough to result in the most tragic outcome.

Safety and space are key

A cage for a degu, made with your own hands, will become a real world for the animal if it is as comfortable there as in the wild - enough space for an active life, a cozy nest where you can sleep, a lot of safe things to chew on, tasty and healthy food and clean water. So the cage must be large and safe.

It should not contain any elements that could harm the health of the animal - painted or varnished surfaces, glued materials such as chipboard, all small holes - on a galvanized mesh, climbing frames should be no more than 2 centimeters on the side so that the animal cannot crawl through there. On the walls of the cage, made of plexiglass, there should be a number of small holes along the bottom and top for air circulation.

Degus make lovely pets. They will respond to the care of their owners with affection, sparkling beady eyes, soft fur and funny ears and a tassel at the end of the tail.

What do Chilean squirrels need?

To create comfortable living conditions for squirrels, study the features of their behavior and life in nature. Also follow our advice on the proper care and maintenance of these animals. There are five main aspects to degu protein content.

Living conditions

First, let's talk directly about the content. Remember: degus should live in spacious enclosures. Regardless of whether you have one animal, a pair or several animals, there should be enough space for free movement.

There must be a house in the cage. Under natural conditions, these squirrels live in burrows, so they like to hide in a house or hammock. A thick bedding of hay or special filler is also necessary so that the animal can freely burrow into it.

Make devices for the squirrel to climb. Degus are also called bush squirrels; in their natural habitat they often climb trees; provide them with this need in captivity.

Squirrels need to wear down their claws and teeth, so place a stone in the cage specifically designed for this. You can buy it at a pet store.

Feeding

The diet of the Chilean squirrel is very extensive. They are not picky about food. For the same reason, they may accidentally eat a plant that is poisonous to them. Your task is to eliminate this possibility.

You can feed degus:

• fresh grass: alfalfa, dandelion, green grain crops are best;
• hay: the same plants that animals eat fresh are suitable for hay;
• nuts;
• cereals;
• dried fruits: only unsweetened and in small quantities;
• fresh vegetables and fruits;
• ready food

It is better to buy ready-made food for degu, which is offered by the manufacturer. And also add the necessary vitamins and minerals to it on the advice of a veterinarian. In this case, you do not risk infecting the animal with fleas or worms, which may be contained in hay or grass collected outside.

Care

When it comes to care, health and hygiene are paramount. Animals do not defecate much or often, so it is enough to clean the cage once every 3 weeks. Of course, the frequency depends on the individual behavior of the animal, as well as on the number of residents in one house

Of course, the frequency depends on the individual behavior of the animal, as well as on the number of residents in one house

Animals do not defecate much or often, so it is enough to clean the cage once every 3 weeks. Of course, the frequency depends on the individual behavior of the animal, as well as on the number of residents in one house.

Chilean squirrels love to swim, they do it in the sand. To do this, place a container filled with sand in the cage. You can also take the animal outside the cage every day or every two days and bathe it in a jar of sand or a special container. But, of course, it is better to install such a bath directly in the cage so that the animal can bathe at any time convenient for it.

Carefully monitor the health of the animal. In autumn and spring, add vitamins to your food. In autumn and winter, monitor changes in the animal's well-being, because at this time they may suffer from colds. Do not forget that these animals are susceptible to diabetes, so control the amount of sweet fruits and berries in their diet.

It is worth taking your pet to the veterinarian for examination periodically. Especially if he begins to scream frequently and continuously (which occurs when keeping an animal) or behaves unusually.

Need for communication

In nature, degus live in packs and often communicate with relatives, so the need for communication among squirrels is quite high. They constantly require attention from the owner.

Breeders advise purchasing a relative so that the degu does not get bored. Most often, these animals are bought in pairs at once. Usually same-sex individuals are taken to avoid reproduction. The gender definitely needs to be checked, as there are many cases where people of the same sex are bought, but in the end they turn out to be of different sexes. To avoid mistakes, it is better to purchase a degu at the age of 1.5 months.

If you don’t want to buy two animals at once, satisfy his need for communication yourself. Degus are highly trainable and get used to their owner.

Show care, patience and attention to your pet, and you will definitely be able to become friends with him

But do not forget that degus cannot tolerate other animals. Therefore, it is better to refuse attempts to make friends with a pet dog or cat. Breeders advise against getting a degu if you already have animals in the house. The animal may develop allergies or be exposed to a stressful situation due to contact with a dog or cat, which will negatively affect the degu's health.

Read with this

Bathhouse.

— Degus are very active animals that need large and spacious cages.
Since they do not live in trees, the area, not the height of the home, is important to them. — When choosing a home for a degu, we are guided by scientific research, and not by the approximate volume and size of the cage. (Proper Cage Sizes for Degus) - Wooden cages and accessories should be made from suitable materials and tree species. Share your work with other winemakers and they will thank you! — Any plastic products are prohibited for use in degu homes. They are very harmful. — All shelves and ladders should NOT be made of bare wire. — The diameter of the running wheel must be at least 28 cm. We do not recommend using walking balls. What kind of baths do you have? Show me the photo. It's interesting!

Bathing suit for chinchillas, too lazy to look for a photo) but it is present in the video about sand. from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBPfDaIMHqA&list=PL69FBB3A1CA27A4DA&index=4

I bathe about 3 times a week, put the bathing suit in the window for 15 minutes, and then put it away.

Actions define a person, not words.

Ours bathes every evening, we set the bath for 15-20 minutes.

Yesterday I bought a new bath and hung it in a cage. Before this, the bathhouse stood in an old small cage, where there was a free entrance and exit. Therefore, Chirik and Ponytail went to wash themselves as needed. There were no fights for sand or space. The new bathhouse is closed, but the old one was just a carrier with sand. And when the degus began to splash, that’s it, turn out the lights: dust, sand in all directions! And when they leave (even from a new one), “sand pours out” behind them. It will hold it together near the cage. For now, the new one is permanently installed, but I’m thinking about installing it for a while. I'll see over the weekend how often they dive there. Photos will be up on Monday morning.

Do your degus swim in “dirty” sand? I've noticed this kind of pickiness. I’ll set up a bathhouse, Fenya will come in and sniff, if the cleanliness of the sand suits her, then she bathes in it, but if the sand is already very littered (poop, sawdust, blades of grass, etc.), she disgustedly goes out and doesn’t even bathe in it.

How often do you change sand?

You can contact me using “YOU”.

Because of this, I keep looking at store-bought indoor bathing suits so that less garbage gets into the sand, but I am confused by the fact that they are plastic. I think they will gnaw. I didn’t see any others in the store, there was only one option with no choice.

You can contact me using “YOU”.

I try to keep the sand clean. I pick out the trash. And as I use it up I add more sand. Once, when the sand was already dirty for swimming, but it was a pity to throw it away, I decided to pour it on the floor of the cage. And I regretted it. The degus raised a terrible swarm. Dust hung in a column above the cage. But I really count on the degus to be conscientious about the frequency of bathing. Of course, if they sit there on a permanent basis, the bath will quickly become combined with a toilet. Therefore, for now I will monitor the question of whether the bathing suit is permanently or temporarily in the cage.

Because of this, I keep looking at store-bought indoor bathing suits so that less garbage gets into the sand, but I am confused by the fact that they are plastic. I think they will gnaw. I didn’t see any others in the store, there was only one option with no choice.

At first I wanted to buy it, but I adapted a glass jar for cereals. It is convenient to place it on its side. I removed it from the cage and they set up a trash bin there. I put this jar on my walks, they run there themselves. And when they crawl out, the sand wakes up, and the next time, running past, the degus drive through the sand with their bellies, like seals on ice! And then back inside. I don’t change the sand often, I just choose the excess. I add more sleep if it’s not enough.

Veselukha is on your walks. I feel like there's a real show going on.

You can contact me using “YOU”.

Double. What's wrong with the site today?

And, most importantly, there is no way to delete an unnecessary message.

You can contact me using “YOU”.

Everything is fine with the site, I didn’t have any glitches, no one else complained, maybe there’s something wrong with your Internet. You can now delete your own topics. Please discuss problems and their solutions in the appropriate forum topic.

Actions define a person, not words.

Alexander, tell us how the test drive of your suspended swimsuit goes? Very interesting. Are you happy with her? Are they chewing on the entrance? Or is it a special “indestructible” plastic?

You can contact me using “YOU”.

While I'm waiting for an answer from Alexander, I'll tell you how we had fun on Saturday.

All experiments were carried out on Fenya. Although it should have been over Sonya, because she has a better relationship with bathing, Sonya slept peacefully and did not suspect that insidious plans were being hatched against her.

PS I took a photo for clarity. At that time, I had already poured out the sand and washed the jar.

You can contact me using “YOU”.

Overall, I'm pleased with the test drive. On Friday evening I came and saw complete chaos in the bathing suit, which was expressed in many “what”. But I removed them. There was no debris in the sand, so overall everything was fine. According to observations over the weekend, degus climb into the bathing suit when necessary. In their opinion, this includes cases of pollution. For example, in the evening I used hand cream and smeared some cold sore on my lip with ylang-ylang oil (which was on hand), then took Chirik in my arms. Degus was categorically not happy and, having escaped, immediately rushed to swim. Because they got dirty! They don't go to the bathing tub out of boredom. Or rather, wandering around the cage, they are puzzled, stand on their paws and think: should I quit or not? Tail sometimes also hides a nut there. I wrote about this in the Tea Degus diary today. As well okay. The sand doesn’t fly, it’s not very convenient for them to chew: firstly, the bathing suit hangs, and secondly, there’s nothing special for the tooth to grab onto. This is something like the case with the jar in the photo. Well, the aesthetics are small, which is also nice.

Degu in the wild

Chilean squirrels are social animals, as they live in small groups, which include no more than 2 males, about 5 females, and a dozen cubs. Each such family occupies an area of ​​about 200 square meters. Habitats are characterized by the presence of a food supply, as well as a network of underground tunnels. Each family makes sure that strangers do not appear on their territory.

Lifestyle

Living in natural conditions in groups, the animals do an excellent job of digging holes, as well as maintaining them. When digging holes, the animals line up in a chain, after which they pass the land to each other. This way the soil appears on the surface. This method of digging holes allows animals to create fairly long tunnels underground.

This animal spends quite a lot of time underground, while the animals constantly feed and make provisions for the winter. Reserves are made either in burrows or buried in the upper layers of the soil. The basis of the diet of such animals is:

• Various herbaceous plants.
• Tree bark.
• Green leaves.
• Seeds of various origins.
• In winter, dry herbs and leaves.

As a rule, a female becomes pregnant once a year, although there are cases where she becomes pregnant twice. Pregnancy lasts almost 3 months, after which from 1 to 10 cubs are born, weighing no more than 15 grams each. While in captivity, a female can become pregnant several times. Since the female can become pregnant again after giving birth, it is better to remove the male immediately.

For 2-6 weeks, the offspring mainly feed on mother's milk, but after 2 weeks solid food begins to appear in their diet. After 3 weeks, the small animals begin to leave the hole on their own.

If the young try to leave the shelter early, the parents drag it back into the hole. Males do not stand aside and help females raise their cubs. They constantly carry fresh grass into the hole. Before the onset of sexual maturity, the young animals form same-sex groups, and after 4 months the young animals are able to mate.

This animal is mainly diurnal, with the greatest activity occurring in the morning and evening.

Natural habitats

Since this is a South American rodent, it lives in countries such as Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Its favorite places are rocky areas, abundantly overgrown with shrubby vegetation.

These animals try to avoid direct sunlight, so during particularly hot periods they prefer to stay in their shelters.

To feed, Chilean squirrels appear on the surface of the ground early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun's rays are not so active. In addition to the heat, these animals are afraid of falling into the clutches of their natural enemies, and there are many of them.

These rodents often appear in fields, causing damage to agricultural crops, and are therefore considered pests of cultivated plants. Eating plants in the fields, animals often die, poisoned by various chemicals.

Life with Degus/Pros and Cons/We have a new addition

Watch this video on YouTube

Peculiarities of degu life in the wild

Just when you are dreaming of having a pet, you should think carefully about whether people will be able to give it everything it needs for a comfortable life. After all, each species of animal has its own characteristics in life in the wild, which must be preserved in life in a cage. Degu is a small rodent from South America. It does not hibernate during the winter and feeds on the bark and roots of plants, grass, seeds, and leaves. He, like a squirrel, stores food for the winter. The animals love to run and climb, although in hot weather they prefer to lie down somewhere in the shade.

Degus are sociable animals. In the wild they live in social groups. For their life, they dig holes and tunnels between them, sometimes quite long. Animals can communicate with each other in different ways - they make 15 types of sounds alone, which allows them to transmit all the necessary information to their relatives.

Origin and description of the species - all about degu

Degus live in the territories of several countries: Bolivia, Peru, Argentina. But the highest population density of these rodents is observed in Chile, where they inhabit the entire western part of the Andean Cordillera.

Local farmers have long known the harmful animal, which eats crops, raids food granaries and causes significant damage to agriculture.

In the scientific classification, degus belong to the eight-toothed family, which unites 13 species of rodents. But the Chilean squirrel has its own distinctive features:

• degu in nature goes out for food during the day, while other representatives of this family do this at night or at dusk;
• all feed exclusively on tubers, young shoots or bark, and degu prefers to look for prey in the thickets of cultivated plantings;
• Most eight-toothed squirrels dig extensive underground labyrinths, but the bush squirrel is not very successful at this.

House or shelter

Degus belong to the order of rodents. They taste all the objects that catch their eye. Grinding down teeth is a vital necessity for squirrels. Animals' teeth are constantly growing. To prevent dental pathologies from occurring in the oral cavity, crowns must be abraded. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a house:

• a plastic shelter will not work. The structure will soon fall into disrepair. When plastic enters the gastrointestinal tract of rodents, it causes disturbances in peristalsis and intoxication of the body;
• a wooden house will last longer if all protruding parts are covered with aluminum tape or cloth. The edges of the window are covered with fabric. It is reinforced with a stapler. Sometimes a wooden product is purchased specifically so that degus can sharpen their teeth. In this case, the shelter is constantly changing;
• a grass house is short-lived. Degus are herbivorous rodents. The main part of their diet is hay and succulent vegetation. Animals can play or rest in a straw shelter, but they will definitely try it;
• The ceramic product is durable. The material is resistant to degu teeth. In addition, ceramics are smooth, making it difficult to grasp the surface;
• A plexiglass house will also last a long time. It is believed that this is the best option for wine degustors. They can constantly monitor their pets, but for rodents such a structure will not be a refuge in which they can hide from danger or have a good rest. The squirrel sees everything that happens outside the transparent walls. This prevents her from resting.

The size of the house is chosen according to the size of the animal. It is necessary that the pet can freely climb into it and settle down for the night. Hay or wood shavings are placed inside. Only 1 individual lives in one house, but you should always expect that degus can sleep in whole groups, hugging each other and covering their comrade.

In addition to the material from which the product is made, size is also taken into account. The shelter must be spacious

So that the degu squirrels could hide in their shelter without going hungry, degu breeders came up with a hay house for their pets. For construction you will need the following materials:

• wide bars; a frame will be built from them;
• wooden sticks; It is better to use birch, willow or cherry; Their wood is considered hard; degus will gnaw on them for a long time; sticks are selected to be the same length;
• screws for fastening;
• plywood for the roof of the shelter.

We suggest you read: What can you feed a degu? The height of the house can be 35-40 cm. The bars are cut to this size. Sticks are strengthened on both sides of the uneven bars. There remains a space inside that is filled with hay. All the walls of the house are made in a similar way. To make the animal feel protected, a piece of plywood is placed on top of the bars. This model of sennitsa looks very attractive and cozy.

Dried grass for rodents is usually placed in a manger or in metal mesh in the form of a ball. In such a ball you can also create a home for a squirrel. It is necessary to fix the ball so that it does not swing, and install a ladder to it. Degus will also like this hay house.

Hay house for degu

Also, clay pots, vases or other ceramic products that do not have paint or varnish can act as shelters.

How long do ferrets live at home?

Note that in the wild, domestic representatives of this species will not survive at all. Such animals are simply not adapted to exist in the steppe. How long do ferrets live at home? With proper care and a balanced diet, their life expectancy is 10 years. Although some representatives lived to be 15-18. This is how long domestic ferrets live. There are factors that can reduce the lifespan of an animal by five to six years. These include acquired or hereditary incurable diseases.

But we can say with confidence that keeping animals at home does not shorten the lifespan of animals. Now you know how long ferrets live at home. Of course, all the data given above are statistical averages. Therefore, a lot depends on conditions and nutrition.

We figured out how long a ferret lives. Now we need to highlight the main conditions for the long life of this beast. A lot here depends on nutrition. It should be as balanced as possible. You should always remember about the individual characteristics of your pet. When giving any new product, it is necessary to observe the animal’s reaction. Note that ferrets eat almost everything, but do not forget that they are predators. Therefore, the basis of the diet is meat. You can give these animals beef, offal, chicken, and horse meat. Some types of fish are also allowed, of course, without bones.

If you do not give your pet meat for a long time, then as a result his immunity will decrease, the digestive system will also be disrupted, and it is possible that his hair will fall out.

You can supplement your diet with special vitamin and mineral complexes. You should definitely consult a veterinarian about this. Of course, hygiene also affects the life expectancy of a pet. Ferrets love cleanliness and order. Their cage needs to be cleaned daily, rags and bedding changed. The home should always be warm and, of course, dry. Bowls and drinking bowls must be washed daily.

Is there anything I can replace store-bought sand with?

In an effort to save money, some owners decide that they can make bathing sand themselves. Well, except that you have access to volcanic rocks and your own crusher. In all other cases, there is no need to come up with anything extra.

No matter how small it may be. It's all about the physical properties of the material. This sand does not absorb liquid and fat from the coat, it injures the skin, and if it gets into the eyes, it clogs and injures them.

Do not replace store-bought sand

It is also recommended to add talc; by the way, some manufacturers either add it to ready-made sand or include it in the package. Talcum powder cannot be used.

Not only will a cloud of talc settle on all surfaces, but it is also dangerous because it clogs the animal’s fur, lungs and eyes. The sensations are not pleasant and may lead to refusal of bathing.

Advantages of keeping a rodent at home

Advantages of the Chilean squirrel as a pet:

Small dimensions. You don't need a lot of space for a degu. Modesty in nutrition. Decorative animals require less food and water than guinea pigs. High activity

Curious and energetic degus will not let you get bored and will become favorites of children who are careful when dealing with rodents. The biological rhythms of the pet and its owners will coincide.

Easy to learn

The animals quickly become attached to humans and are easy to train. Cleanliness and absence of unpleasant odor. Degus clean themselves and do not require special hygienic care from others. Due to the small volume of food and drink, the animals produce little excretion. Cleaning the cage is done quickly. Lifespan. This indicator for the South American guest is higher in comparison with hamsters, chinchillas and other relatives.

Attention! If degus have offspring, the animals will not need any additional care or equipment.

What is a chinchilla bathing suit?

Many owners have no idea what a chinchilla bathing suit looks like and think that it is some kind of complicated contraption. In fact, any utensil, even an ordinary bowl, can become a bathing bowl.

The most common swimwear looks like this:

Bathing suit material: plastic or ceramic. Ceramic ones are usually more expensive, but they are a great choice because they are very beautiful.

The bathing suit is sold in almost every pet store and costs only 300-400 rubles. Usually it consists of 2 parts. The lower part, into which sand is poured, and the upper transparent lid, which prevents sand from splashing out of the bathing suit, and also makes it easy to wash and change the sand at the bottom. If the roof is not transparent, then it may be too dark there and the animal may not like this activity.

House bathing suits have also appeared on the market, but there is no fundamental difference in them from ordinary bathing suits. Therefore, choose according to your taste.

A chinchilla can bathe directly on the floor, the main thing is to add sand. The main disadvantage of such bathing is that the animal scatters sand throughout the room, so there must be walls that prevent it from scattering.

Why her?

There are many other small animals!

1. Because Chilean squirrels are unique. Few exotic animals are capable of learning and training. Degu - can follow simple commands and makes contact easily, unlike other rodents. She will become an excellent friend to the child, while demanding very little in return.
2. Degus have an interesting appearance. They look like a mouse, a jerboa and a squirrel at the same time. Its size is small - about 30 cm. But there is more than enough activity in this small body! This cute animal loves to run around and stick its curious nose everywhere, almost purrs when it is petted and carried in arms, and happily responds to communication.
3. The most important advantage of the degu is its tendency to diurnal lifestyle. How many rodents can boast of this? With this animal, you won’t have to sleep with a pillow on your head at night; it will sleep with its owner, and not instead of him!
4. Chilean squirrels are long-lived, living about seven years with proper care and attention. So they are not suitable for those who want to take a “one-time toy”.

The best sand for degus: top 5

The nuances of feeding a newborn

Squirrels have a longer gestation period than other similar animals, such as rats or hamsters. Therefore, babies develop a little faster. Newborn squirrels look just like their mothers. They already have fur and their eyes are open. In addition, there are teeth almost immediately.

However, at first they move very poorly and only after a week will they be able to try to get out of the nest. The squirrel does an excellent job of feeding its babies. However, you should not pick them up, as she may refuse to feed. Therefore, if you need to take your baby, for example, for an examination, be sure to wash your hands with soap so that the squirrel does not smell the person.

In addition, it may also happen that the squirrel dies during childbirth or shortly after it - then a person must take care of feeding. This can be done using milk mixture heated to +36 degrees. Feeding can be done using regular pipettes or a syringe without a needle. If they are not there, then an ordinary cloth soaked in the milk mixture will come in handy. The mixture can be prepared from cow's milk and chamomile tea. The proportions should be 1 to 2.

The baby squirrels need to be fed every 2-3 hours. After each feeding, be sure to massage their belly. You need to feed the mixture for no more than 30 days, then you can gradually introduce dry food into the diet, for example, hay or grain. In addition, you can also give some nuts, vegetables and fruits.

A 2-month-old baby can eat almost everything. Therefore, they can be transferred from a nest to a cage, to a permanent place of residence. From now on, they begin to live an adult life and, accordingly, eat like that. Some owners give them formula milk for some time, only from a small saucer.

How to assemble a cage for your beloved pet?

You should assemble a pet cage from the base – the pallet. The basis for the degu world can be a sheet of aluminum - thick enough so that if something happens, the animal cannot gnaw through it in a few minutes. But it is better to mount it on a base made of a thick board of natural wood or assembled lining lamellas, fastened together with self-tapping screws. By the way, when using fasteners, you must always take into account its length so that the sharp edges of nails or screws do not stick out and could injure the animal.

The walls of the cage can be made like this: three walls made of plexiglass with small holes for air circulation, and the front wall can be made of a reliable galvanized mesh with small cells. Many degu owners use ready-made wooden cabinets with glass doors, but they are not very reliable - the animals quickly gnaw through walls and partitions.

The door lock must be secure. A simple loop with a hook will not work, since the degu can quickly figure out how it opens and, taking advantage of the moment, simply run away. Some of the owners of these animals say that the cage needs a carrying handle. But, I think, it is not appropriate on such a cage - its dimensions will not allow the cage to be moved from place to place. If there is a need to constantly move the degu cage, then it is better to make a platform for it on furniture wheels.

The entire structure should be mounted on a reliable frame. If possible, it is best to use metal parts rather than wood – an aluminum profile, for example. The degu is chewing on the cage, there is no escape from it. And it is better that it is reliable and safe for the animal from the very beginning.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Beautiful breeds of medium-sized dogs

Is it worth getting a degu?

The Chilean squirrel is a rather unusual animal. This is not a hamster that feels comfortable sitting alone in a cage for days on end. They are very active and require a lot of attention. Before purchasing, you should study all the details of keeping a domestic squirrel and know what to prepare for.

Degus have become favorite pets for many owners, because there are many advantages to keeping them.

• They eat quite a bit, so you won’t have to buy a lot of food, and for this reason they defecate less often, so the cage will have to be cleaned infrequently.
• They drink little, therefore, urinate less often, which also helps keep the cage clean for a long time.
• They are friendly, get used to being handled and are easy to train.
• They lead a diurnal lifestyle.
• Their life expectancy is quite long - 812 years.

Cons of content

With all the advantages, there are also disadvantages.

• They are very active, love to move a lot, but at the same time you can’t let them roam freely around the house, they can chew on almost anything.
• They often suffer from colds, indigestion, may even develop diabetes, and are prone to allergies. Be prepared to care for a sick animal.
• They do not like loneliness and require attention, as in nature they live in packs. If you leave a degu alone for a long time, it can become unaccustomed to being handled and even go wild.

To ensure that the animal brings only positive emotions, and its life is comfortable for you, weigh the pros and cons before going to the pet store. Before buying an animal, be sure to answer whether you are ready:

1. 7-12 years old to care for a pet?
2. treat him and take him to the vet if necessary?
3. devote time every day and train the animal?
4. feed correctly?
5. clean the cage in a timely manner?
6. allocate additional funds for maintenance?

We suggest you read: What to feed a Caucasian Shepherd puppy

Ask yourself if you are ready to take full responsibility for the animal’s life. If the decision is balanced and informed, feel free to go shopping.

How to make a degu cage with your own hands?

Although in pet stores you can buy or order a cage for any animal, including degus, a home-made cage will allow you to think through its design more carefully and take into account all the features of the life of your beloved pet. How to make a cage for a degu yourself, so that the animal is comfortable, secure and comfortable there, and the owners can only enjoy their pet and take care of it without problems?

To prevent your work from going to waste, you should carefully study the animal’s habits, know its characteristics, and take the advice of zoologists and those who already keep degus at home. Then try to create on paper a model of the future degu world, where all the nuances will be taken into account. It is also necessary to arrange a place where the rather large cage will be placed.

Content Features

Keeping any exotic animal has its own subtleties and nuances. Below are some useful tips and tricks for keeping degus:

• Before getting a squirrel, ask your veterinarian for detailed information about vaccinations and possible diseases;
• carry out deworming with special preparations once a quarter;
• if a rodent’s hair begins to fall out, its eyes become lighter, and lethargy appears, then this is a sure sign of an illness that requires emergency care;
• There must be hard twigs or sharpening stones in the cage. If they are absent, this will lead to discomfort and deformation of the jaw;
• When letting your squirrel go for a walk, you should monitor its movements. It is best to buy a special walking ball at a pet store, then the rodent will not be able to harm your furniture and electrical wires;
• Degus are amazing rodents. They sleep all night and begin active life only in the morning and daytime hours. This rodent is ideal for owners of small apartments;
• The lifespan of bush rodents is 8 years in captivity. And after reaching five years, they stop reproducing.

If you dare to get a bush squirrel, you will not regret it. They are unpretentious, smart, and most importantly, they do not have an unpleasant odor. Degus will make wonderful friends for families with children. They get along well with all residents of the house and pets.

Authors of the articles: Belanta Clinic team

What types of trees are safe for my degu?

Safe types of wood for degus: apple, hazel, hawthorn and pine (but only after kiln drying). Before you give such a tree to a degu, bringing it from the street, you must clean it. To do this, you can use a wire brush or water. Make sure that the wood has not been treated with chemicals before. Also pay attention to the presence of fungus, mold, insects and other things. Use the list of suitable types of wood for degus (link at the beginning of the article), as some types of trees can be harmful or even toxic to degus.

Games, taming degus

Degus have an excellent memory, so constant contact is the best investment in the process of successful training of the animal.

And the greatest care from beginning to end is the driving lever. Young immature individuals are best trained

No, their age does not affect their mental abilities or the degree of receptivity of commands. It’s just that as degus age, they have less trust in humans.

It is important to provide suitable terrain before training begins. This could be a room with no hidden nooks and crannies where the animal could hide or escape.

Also avoid open electrical wires, which he can chew and harm himself and the room. The first step is to start talking to him. The quiet, gentle voice of the owner will soon become recognizable to the degu

Hand feeding is also important for bonding. Before starting, it is important to wash your hands so that they do not smell like food, so that the animal does not confuse your finger with a delicious pear

Food can also provide motivation to perform tricks. For example, you can lure a degu with a piece of treat onto your shoulder, repeating the trick every day.

Never take it from above. In the wild, these animals are subject to attacks from birds of prey and animals from above; in such a situation, a frightened degu may use self-defense and begin to bite.

The Chilean degu squirrel should walk around you unhindered; you should not pick it up with your hands, squeeze it, or drag it anywhere. Freedom is an important aspect of trust. Degus love to have the back of their head tickled, but persistent and prolonged tickling can cause them to run away or even bite you.

For more productive communication, it is important to understand the “degu language”. For example, if his hair stands on end, he is alarmed and feels threatened

During breeding or when the animal is in an excited mood, it wags its tail. Jumping, running, leaping and twisting the body are characteristic of healthy, active, happy degus. This behavior is often observed in young animals. Degus huddled together crave a sense of security. They can often sleep in one big, furry pile. Squeaking is typical for nervous, irritated behavior, growling is for aggression during an approaching threat. If the squeak is more like heather, it is simple communication or the courtship cries of lovers.

Despite the irresistible desire to devote all your time to an animal, it is unlikely that anyone will succeed. Degus are social animals; living alone without company and attention, they can become apathetic, withdrawn, aggressive and even lose their health. Buy a pair for your pet, or even better, place them in a cage in the amount of 4-5 individuals.

Price and how to buy correctly

It is advisable to buy degus from trusted nurseries with a good reputation. To do this, you can consult with experienced winemakers. You can always come to the nursery and look with your own eyes at the living conditions of the animals. Of course, prices for babies in nurseries are noticeably higher than in pet stores or “from hand”. The price today ranges from 1,500 to 6,000 rubles per degu. However, it is worth remembering that this investment is not for one year. When buying a degu from a nursery, you can be sure of the physical and mental health of your future pet. There you are unlikely to buy an aggressive, weak and disease-prone individual.

If you are not satisfied with the conditions of keeping animals in the nursery, then it is better to refrain from purchasing and look for another nursery. There is no need to rush into choosing. Nowadays degus are not such a rarity and are on sale almost constantly.

When buying degus in a pet store or “from hand”, you can run into unscrupulous “breeders” who do not understand anything about the genetics of animals, breeding closely related or sick degus. Although there is a chance to buy a strong enough animal that will not bring you problems in the future. But it is worth considering that the probability of such a purchase is less than 50%. In pet stores, degus can be purchased for up to 1,500 rubles. However, you are unlikely to receive a clear description of your purchase. As a rule, sellers do not know the sex or age of degus.

You can buy degu “from hand” even cheaper – up to 1000 rubles, as agreed with the seller. Here you can bargain. Perhaps the seller will know the babies' date of birth. Where to buy and how to keep an animal, each person decides for himself. By creating decent living conditions, you can enjoy communicating and observing degus for many years. In addition, more and more necessary and useful information about degus is appearing in the media, so even inexperienced owners can cope with such a seemingly unusual animal. The main thing is to have a desire to study, make changes and improve the quality of life of your pets.

Health, disease and prevention

A healthy degu pet is sociable and active. An important indicator of health is clean eyes, without visible foreign stains. Also, orange teeth, if they have begun to lighten, are a reason to adjust the Chilean squirrel’s diet. Even with poor nutrition (an abundance of fiber-rich vegetables and fruits on the menu), the animal may develop diarrhea.

The most common ailments of degus:

• Conjunctivitis. Characterized by the presence of purulent discharge from the eye area. Antibiotic drops are used for treatment as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Older degu squirrels can suffer from cataracts. The appearance of a white spot on the brown background of a healthy eye is the first sign of the disease.
• Diabetes. A common ailment of improper feeding. Manifests itself in weight gain, lethargy, and increased water consumption. There is no cure for diabetes, but there are preventative measures to prevent its development. Candies, halva and other sweets are unacceptable foods for degus under any circumstances. If the first symptoms are noticed, limit the animal’s consumption of nuts, high-calorie cereals and overripe fruits.
• Colds can also bother the naturally heat-loving degu. The special “enemies” of the health of this furry animal are sudden temperature changes and drafts. If the animal's eyes begin to water, mucus appears near the nose, and apathy is a sure sign that the squirrel is sick. At an early stage, it is treated with traditional methods - a decoction of rose hips and calendula. If it does not help, you need to contact a veterinary clinic.
• Also, contact with sick animals and insufficient cleanliness in the cage can provoke the appearance of skin fungus or parasites.

The main preventive measures are regular cage hygiene and balanced feeding. These are the two “pillars” that will help you avoid all the ailments of your home degu.

Drinking fountain

Such a device can serve not only to quench the thirst of animals, but also become an original accent in the home interior. The design consists of a water bowl, a filter, a diffuser and a drinking bowl located at the top. Additionally, it is equipped with a decorative sprinkler, especially popular with native breeds (Maine Coons, Kuril Bobtails, Siberian cats).

Continuous circulation of liquid is ensured by a mini-pump powered by a USB cable. More advanced models may contain backlighting and an indication of the level of remaining water in the tank.

Cost – 2400 rub.

general information

Degus are cute, tame rodents that are easy to train.

Degu is a small South American rodent. Other common names for this animal include two: bush rat and Chilean squirrel. The animal is highly active with a relatively small size. An adult reaches up to 30 cm in length, while weighing only 200-300 g. In nature, degus come in only two colors: brown-yellow or chestnut-gray.

The fur of the Chilean squirrel is hard and dense. Like most rodents, these animals have 8 pairs of teeth that grow throughout their lives. Degus can adapt to living at home if they are provided with the appropriate conditions. With proper care and nutrition, such a pet can live up to 6-8 years.

Concern for safety

The life of a degu in an apartment is full of dangers from which you need to protect

Due to their physiological characteristics and origin, all rodents are susceptible and shy. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the safety of the little degu. To ensure your pet's comfort, the following points must be considered:

1. Degus are sensitive to heat, high humidity, cold and noise, so keep the cage away from a window. The ideal temperature regime is +24°С…+26°С.
2. In natural conditions, the main threat to animals is birds of prey, so rodents are afraid of an “attack from the sky” on an instinctive level. They will not feel comfortable if the cage is too low and the person leans into it every day. It is best to position the enclosure so that its central part is at eye level with the owner.
3. Smoking is prohibited in the room where degus are kept. For the same reason, it is not recommended to keep animals in the kitchen, since there are many sources of pungent odors for the rodent.
4. Do not play loud music or TV near your pet's cage.
5. Also, do not keep degus in the same room as a cat or dog. The hunting instincts of larger pets can take over, and then the Chilean squirrel will turn into prey.

An important point is also that the animal’s cage should not be placed in a room with poisonous plants. The following representatives of the flora are dangerous for these animals:

• sanseviera;
• spicy root;
• dieffenbachia;
• epipremnum;
• single leaf;
• feronia;
• flamingo flower;
• threader;
• palm lily;
• Christmas star;
• indoor aralia;
• indoor calla lily.

If, nevertheless, the animal has tasted any of the above plants, the animal should be shown to a veterinarian as soon as possible. In such a situation, time is counted in minutes.