Degu question

Bean_Counter

Hi,

We became the proud owners of a pair of male degus at the weekend. We are sorted in terms of cage, bowls, toys etc and their general welfare.

The thing that I am not quite sure about is the best way to exercise them out of the cage. I am contemplating building a run for them but I am not sure whether it is OK to let them loose on the floor (supervised of course.) We have done this in the past with hamsters, although use a ball now. I know that degus are very very quick and inquisitive and my worry is that they might just find a hole somewhere and disappear.

Does anyone let them loose on the floor or do most people use a run?

By the way, I have read the recent degu thread and had a look at the links there, but just wanted to gauge people's experience.

Many thanks.

tiamai_d

I would use a run at first. Degu's are very fast and very good at hiding.

Also, it will take a long time for them to become accustomed to you.

If you excersise them in the run first, then start to handle them, give them treats etc, eventually you will be able to have them out under supervision.

Good luck!

Bean_Counter

tiamai_d wrote: »

I would use a run at first. Degu's are very fast and very good at hiding.

Also, it will take a long time for them to become accustomed to you.

If you excersise them in the run first, then start to handle them, give them treats etc, eventually you will be able to have them out under supervision.

Good luck!

Hi - thanks for the reply.

Looks like that's my weekend sorted - building a run!

We have had them out by hand already. So much better than a hamster (although a lot more effort!)

tiamai_d

Hehe, a LOT more fun!

I worked in a pet shop that sold both Degu's and Chinchillas. Remember one day a couple got out. It was a huge shop (a well known chain) and we had to chase them around with nets! While making sure they didn't get hurt or get stressed. Got excersise that day!

Did not once get bitten by any of them, even during mite treatment and the few times they had to have medicine or taken to a vet etc. Hamsters on the other hand.... literally On the hand...

Bean_Counter

tiamai_d wrote: »

Hehe, a LOT more fun!

I worked in a pet shop that sold both Degu's and Chinchillas. Remember one day a couple got out. It was a huge shop (a well known chain) and we had to chase them around with nets! While making sure they didn't get hurt or get stressed. Got excersise that day!

Did not once get bitten by any of them, even during mite treatment and the few times they had to have medicine or taken to a vet etc. Hamsters on the other hand.... literally On the hand...

We've only had them a couple of days and I am sure that they will be a lot of fun. No-one can get near our current hamster, but the degus have been great - not even been pee'd on yet!!!

Pink_Tomato

Hi

My boys have a large ball (30cm diameter) which I let them run all around the house in. This is great because they like to explore and I like to be able to get them back to their cage easily! They also have a large wheel (again 30cm diameter) in their cage which they spent most of their time in.

I have also previously let mine run around the bathroom, as there no real hiding places (I always ensure there are no chemicals or bottles in reach).