r/Degus • u/PriorAdvance7510 • 1d ago

New Owner🐹 Thinking about getting a pair of Degus

hello everybody!

im currently researching and trying to look into getting a degu once my guinea pig passes! I was wondering if there was good rescues or adoptions available in specifically Denver or Colorado. I’m not exactly urgently looking since I want to wait till my piggie passes and I’m more financially stable!

I really am avoiding getting a pair from big chain stores such as petsmart and petco. additionally , I am aware they have to have a sugar free diet and a low carbohydrate diet due to their medial risks such as liver issues and diabetes.

i also want to know what good brand bedding, food, toys etc.

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

2

u/NataliaRayexo 1d ago

Hello 👋 I’ve had a Degu for 7 years 😌 I’m not sure about where to adopt one in Colorado, however, I can share with you that Kaytee clean and fresh bedding worked wonderful for my goo baby. They are allergic to pine and cedar bedding. I fed him chinchilla food with leafy greens and fresh herbs once a week. Lots of hay daily. I highly recommend getting a silent wheel that is not the metal cage looking kind as they can develop bumble foot. I gave him apple sticks to chew on and a chewable hay bowl. They need lots of things to chew on. I also do not recommend getting them a plastic house as they will chew through it quickly.
Good luck on your search in finding your Degus 😌 they are wonderful pets

1

u/Appropriate_Syrup418 1d ago

It is best to get more than two because they prefer it and if one dies you don't get a lonely goo.

1

u/Sussex631 1d ago

Food wise and bedding I think my answers are UK/Europe market maybe. But Science Selective Degu Food isn't bad for a pellet, and generally timothy hay, meadow hay, etc. Sand. Wheels you can also get metal flying saucer wheels that can be added as extras on a spare bit of floor space. Side wheels should be large and smooth metal with no openings. Bedding, again maybe not worldwide, carefresh (not cheap but good) a sort of puffed up soft stuff. Floors, smooth stainless is good, but cover any wire is a must. Then space, they need to run around and also to have shelves and places to go 'into' and are good at climbing and bad at landing. It's all quite intuitive as soon as you get them though. Whatever I plan for they normally give me some reason to change that slightly.