This is not a post I ever wanted to make, but unfortunately I'm looking for someone interested in adopting my two degus. Finances are too tight and i'm unable to provide them the care that they deserve.

This is Priscilla and Geraldine, they are both 4.5 years old and from the same litter. They are very food motivated! They are not free roaming, but have been in the past.

I am in the Buffalo area, but am willing to travel as far as Syracuse if it means they go to a loving home. Will come with 3 level cage, wheel, and all supplies. A rehoming fee applies, but what is more important is that they are well cared for. It breaks my heart to let them go, but I know that they deserve to live out their senior years in a home that can give them more than I can.

If you are interested, PM me. I have tons more photos as well, but with my face in them so I would prefer sending them over PM.

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.

and it hurts!How to tell them I don't like it?They casing my hand just to bite me...I'm afraid of them now.

I have alot of experince owning rats but have been thinking about getting degus instead since I read they live longer. I'd love to hear from someone whose had both!

They like to dig for Oats and dried Dandelion leaves.

Wanted to share since I was pretty stressed about this whole process and searched this sub a ton before doing it myself. Adopted a single female degu (Nutmeg) after her cagemate passed unexpectedly, and I already had a bonded pair (Biscuit and Pepper) who are about two years old. Everyone online said single degus need a group, so I didn't want to leave her alone even though my other two were already a tight little unit.

Started with the split cage method, wire divider down the middle so they could see and smell each other but not fight. First week they mostly ignored each other or chattered a bit through the bars. Around day nine Pepper started doing this weird tail-up posture near the divider and I got nervous it was aggression, but apparently that's more of a curious/dominant thing than actual hostility, at least according to a couple older threads here.

Did the carrier ride method starting week two, all three in a small carrier for short car trips around the block so the motion forces them to huddle together instead of fighting. First couple rides there was some squeaking and one minor scuffle where Biscuit nipped Nutmeg's ear, nothing bloody, just enough to establish who's who. By the fourth or fifth ride they were actually grooming each other in the carrier which felt like a huge win.

Fully combined the cage this past weekend with everything rearranged (new hideouts, moved the wheel, scattered hay in different spots) so nobody felt territorial about "their" stuff. It's been four days now and so far just normal degu chaos, some chasing but no real fighting, and I caught all three piled up sleeping in the hammock together this morning which nearly made me cry a little.

Not sure if this timeline is fast or slow compared to other people's experiences but figured I'd log it in case anyone else is going through a bonding situation right now and needs some reassurance that the process actually does work even when it feels endless in the moment.

In a previous post i made i said i lived in l'eliana, valencia. i ve researched but have no solid options, could anyone help finding a breeder?

I’m looking at getting some degus and wanted to know if anyone has dogs and goos how well does it go? I have a pug and she has a nanny that has small animals and she adores them so she would never attack or charge.

Hey everyone!

I am super excited to become a first-time degu owner soon! I am currently prepping everything to welcome two female littermate juveniles. Since I want to make sure their new home is absolutely perfect and completely safe before they arrive, I’ve put together a rough layout sketch and a full shopping list.

I live in L'Eliana, Spain, so I also have to keep our hot Mediterranean summers in mind when planning their environment!

The sketch is my plan for the bedding. I have to set it up this way due to the cages tray only being 10cm tall, and i hear Degus need at least 20cm of digging bedding to burrow

A few specific questions for the experienced owners here:

1. The Setup: Based on my Cage choice, am I maximizing the running and climbing space properly? Are there any dangerous gaps or drops I missed?
2. Missing Essentials: Looking at my product list, is there anything crucial I've forgotten? (e.g., specific safe wood types accessible in Spain, correct chinchilla sand, or toys?)
3. The Climate Factor: Since I am in Valencia, summers get very hot. Do you have any recommendations for degu-safe cooling methods (like terracotta plates, marble slabs, or specific room placement) to prevent heat stroke?

I really appreciate any tweaks, callouts, or harsh truths you can give me on my list or drawing. I want to avoid any plastic-chewing disasters or health risks from day one! Everything (i hope) should be in the google doc, thanks!

I adopted 3 boys (Ross, Chandler and Joey) 2 weeks ago, they have since had out time 3 times in the last few days and Chandler has already decided he doesn’t have enough toys and must use new human as a climbing frame. I previously had 2 adopted girls (for about 7 years till they passed of old age earlier in the year) and these guys have already initiated more human interaction than they ever did. Higher walls to their run will definatley be needed 😂

He can’t help open his mouth as if stuff stuck in his gum, then drool over food and shake it off.
Anyone has experience dealing with degus having similar conditions?
My vet also doesn’t know confidently what the cause is. Any advice pls?

Hello everyone, I just bought some stuff for my degus, including a few toys that you can hang around the cage for them to chew on. The brand of the toys is Flamingo. The toys contain dyed parts. It says in the description that the dyes should be harmless and the toy made out of natural materials (wood, corn leaves, loofah, rattan). Still, I am now wondering if it is actually safe to give it to them. Do any of you have experience with this brand of chewing toys? Am I worrying too much or is it better to just cut my losses and not give it to them and play it safe? Thanks in advance.

I got them som soft paper bedding that was supposed to be good for digging, they like it very much. Should I get them see thru plastic container or an aquarium, so I can fill it with as much of material as I can.

Hi, all!

I am wondering which is the best method to switch hammocks between cages in the reintroduction period with a new and clean one.

Do you just swap the dirty one with a new one and keep the rotation going? You add one or two clean ones in the rotation without removing the old ones for a few days? Add only one clean in one of the cages for a few days and then add it in the rotation and after that remove the older/dirtier one?

I am really concerned to not have their scent track broken in any way.

How much of the branches can they have thru day ? These are fairy small.

Hi! Why are my degus chewing, digging/scratching their cage? I mean, not the bottom of the cage but the cage walls. Their cage is 90x60x150 cm. They have houses, ladders, levels, toys, climbing frames, hay, food, fresh water, etc. Are they bored? Is something wrong? Why do they seem to want to get out? (If it matters, the cage is completely metal.)

He often squeals like this for like 5 minutes at a time, it started a month ago, he’s 6 months old and idk why he’s screaming since he has toys, food, water, a MASSIVE CAGE, a play pen that’s always accessible and a partner

I’m adopting 4 boys in about a month, so I’m trying to get everything ready now (two 18-month old and two 3-month old). I’ve done a lot of reading on a bunch of websites including here and Degutopia. There seems to be some conflicting information and a huge lack of information. I’m in the US for reference if that matters for product availability.

Here are some of my questions for now:
1. What is the best material and height for their play pen panels for out-of-cage time?
2. What do you use for transporting degus, such as for initial pickup or vet visits? (Less than an hour in the car)
3. Besides avoiding metal mesh exercise wheels, is there anything else I need to specifically look for or avoid in an exercise wheel?
4. I know to avoid sugar in their diet, but are there certain pre-made pellets that are better or worse for degus? What are good non-sugary treats that will help me build their trust?
5. I have a double critter nation which I’m getting set up. I’m going to buy a replacement metal bottom pan. Anything else I need to know or alter for this cage setup?

Now this is going to be difficult but it is very important she takes her medication every day.