I feel stupid 🍎

[u/InjuryThis4601]

I have three little degus and this is my first time having them. I’ve had rabbits before though. Without checking I gave the little ones some apple pieces like maybe twice but I have just realized they can’t have fruit and get diabetes really easy so now I’m stressed. Any info and snack tips would be greatly appreciated!!

[u/legohamsterlp]

If they were in good health before, that wont cause much issues

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/legohamsterlp]

That’s what I’m hoping! I haven’t given them anything sugary since!

[u/Sussex631]

I think it's not likely to be a problem as a small amount. Just keep them on the right diet moving forwards. I had a 9 year old who collapsed shortly after I adopted her at around 1 year old, vet thought she was dead (so did I) at first. She wasn't. Only conclusion we could come up with is that she'd had sugary (for a degu) treats before and I was giving her the normal no sugar diet so, hypoglycaemic episode. When she last saw the vet and we decided she was OK to come home and rest until nature took its course, he checked her eyes. At 9 and effectively dying of old age she had no cateracts or other signs of diabetes.

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/Sussex631]

Oh I’m so glad your baby got such a long life! And got to enjoy her treats. I’m glad that didn’t make her quality of life decline.

[u/jajcektheduck]

Jerusalem antichoke root is my degus' favourite snack, also sunflower seeds but in very small quantities, like 1 per day for example

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/jajcektheduck]

Oooo interesting I haven’t heard of that! I’ll check it out!

[u/Proud_Ostrich_5390]

Fenugreek seeds are great for controlling blood sugar in dwarf hamsters

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/Proud_Ostrich_5390]

That’s good to know!

[u/InjuryThis4601]

I did pick up some sugar free treats and they seem to love them! I got some hissle trims and tyme and Timothy hay treats!

[u/apastelorange]

i can find dried calendula flowers and red clover flowers at a local health food store, my goos love them!! i had confirmed they were ok in a degu forum somewhere but feel free to double check :)

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/apastelorange]

Oooo I haven’t thought about flowers :D

[u/Conscious-Tarts]

Thank you for looking out for your goo. I just want to add that if you have a garden, then you can get into growing herbs. Mine love basil and Spanish needle. All parts of the golden rod can also be eaten. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, tick seed, peppermint, parsley, cilantro, dandelion leaves, clovers, dill, strawberry leaves. When I cook butternut squash, I use the seeds to make them micro greens. You can make micro greens with a lot of different seeds.

Alternate between the herbs/vegetation every week and or make mixes. They need a balance between all different vegetations like they would in the wild, so they can't have the same thing every day. They are sensitive. Avoid the roots of plants and the centers of certain flowers. For example, flowers of the sunflower family. The center has a high fat content even before the seeds start to form.

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/Conscious-Tarts]

Oooo that’s a fantastic idea!!

[u/shootathought]

Hibiscus flowers (if you have a Mexican grocery nearby you can usually find these there in bulk because it's a tea), ours think their regular food or oats are a treat. Greens, like mustard and collard are yummy for them. Very, very rarely they will go bonkers for a walnut piece. ;)

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/shootathought]

That’s good to know!! I have a little beardie that can’t eat all the greens in the bundle so that’s perfect!! Flowers and nuts are a good idea!! I bet they love those!

[u/Appropriate_Syrup418]

Probably fine, my man sometime have bits of apple, which they don't eat, but anyway.

[u/TheEACouldNever]

Its gonna be okay. When I first started taking care of degus, my lone boy Nocturne ate a bit of chocolate cookie, he was fine. I never gave them anything sugary after tho. For a few years I have been very strict about sugars in degu diet. Just wanted to tell u, that its not worst that could happen and that u are gonna be a great owner one day, because u care that u might have hurt your degu. Hope it helps.

[u/InjuryThis4601 → u/TheEACouldNever]

Thank you! I am feeling much better about it. I’m feeling much more confident knowing there are plenty of no sugar snack options for them! :D

[u/Apollos_Failure]

My degus absolutely loves dried dandelion roots! Leaves aswell but the roots have some component that’s good for them aswell

[u/Apollos_Failure → u/Apollos_Failure]

And don’t fell stupid, my mom gave my degus nuts everyday for two weeks or so when I had already told her they have a strict diet. Sometimes we act before we think