Degu Care: Vet‑Approved 2025 Guide by Dr Duncan Houston 🐹🌿

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Degus are charming, daytime-active rodents prized for their intelligence, playfulness, and social nature. With lifespans from 6–8 years—and some living up to 13—they make long-term companions 🐾. This 2025 vet guide covers everything you need for responsible degu ownership: housing, diet, social needs, enrichment, handling, and health vigilance.

1. Understanding Degus

Degus are social creatures best kept in pairs or small groups. They tolerate handling when socialized but need gentle care—particularly children handling them, as rough lifting can injure the tail tip, which does not regenerate.

• Active & intelligent: Degus are playful during the day, displaying curiosity and complex social behaviors.
• Chewing instinct: They chew constantly—provide safe choices to prevent damage to cages and furniture.
• Fragile tail tips: A degu’s tail may detach if pulled; it doesn’t grow back—handle with care.
• Illness is hidden: As prey animals, they mask illness—early vet exams are crucial.

2. Social Needs & Group Housing

Degus thrive in groups—loneliness leads to stress and abnormal behaviors. Always keep them in pairs or small bonded groups, not alone. Introduce new animals slowly, with introductions arranged inside cages or neutral spaces to reduce conflict risks.

3. Ideal Cage & Environment

Caging degus requires purpose-built wire enclosures. Minimum size for a pair is 35 × 50 × 23 inches—taller is better for climbing. Use sturdy wire bars no more than 2 cm apart, a solid cushioned floor, and deep, absorbent bedding.

• Bedding: Use shreddable paper products like Carefresh—not wood shavings.
• Cage cleaning: Scoop daily waste; full bedding changes weekly.
• Ventilation: Ensure airflow but no drafts; degus do best in moderate room temperatures.

4. Enrichment Essentials

Mental stimulation is vital for degus. Boredom leads to destructive chewing or stress.

• Solid exercise wheels: Avoid wire wheels—these can fracture bones.
• Tubes & tunnels: Cardboard rolls mimic burrows and satisfy shredding instincts.
• Chew toys: Edible hardwood (apple, willow) and unsalted rawhide are favorites.
• Climbing: Sisal rope, ledges, and branches offer dynamic environments.
• Dust baths: Offered several times per week, using chinchilla-quality dust to keep fur clean and healthy.
• Puzzles & treats: Hide safe treats in toilet-roll toys to encourage foraging.

5. Diet & Nutrition

A degu’s diet should be fiber-rich and low in sugar. Use a combination of timothy-hay base and pellet mixes formulated for guinea pigs/chinchillas—vet guidance helps find ideal picks. Offer small vegetables; avoid fruits entirely, given sugar sensitivity.

• Hay 24/7: Timothy hay supports dental and gut health.
• Pellets: Use small daily portions—prefer high fibre, low fat/sugar.
• Fresh veggies: Offer in moderation—avoid sugary options.
• Water: Fresh daily—water bottles are ideal to reduce contamination.
• Monitor weight: Degus gain weight easily—adjust rations accordingly.

6. Daily Handling & Taming

Handle degus gently and with support. Wrap young degus in a towel “burrito-style” under vet instruction to ensure calm and safe restraint for grooming or medical care. Daily interaction builds trust and minimizes stress.

7. Health Monitoring & Vet Care

Degus hide illness well—establish baseline health data early through veterinary exams, then monitor weight, coat condition, eyes, and behavior daily. Schedule annual vet check-ups—and early exams if eating or grooming habits change.

8. Common Health Concerns

• Dental overgrowth: Watch for drooling, weight loss—hay and chew toys help wear down teeth.
• Obesity: Manage diet and stimulate physical activity.
• Cage-related issues: Use deep bedding to prevent pododermatitis.
• Respiratory risk: Keep airflow fresh and bedding clean.
• Stress signs: Excessive chewing, aggression, or hiding indicate poor welfare.

9. Creating a Daily Routine

• Morning: Fresh hay, water, pellet feed, and cage cleaning.
• Midday: Supervised active time outside cage or enriched inside environment.
• Soon after: Dust bath session and gentle tame-holding.
• Evening: Refill hay, clean areas, and close-enclosure enclosure time.
• Night (if awake): Offer chew toys before bedtime.

10. 2025 Vet Tips for Responsible Degu Care

• Keep degus in bonded pairs or groups—never alone.
• Provide a spacious wire cage (35×50 in min) with solid floors and deep clean bedding.
• Use wire bar spacing ≤ 2 cm for safety.
• Offer enrichment daily: exercise wheel, branches, chew toys, and dust baths.
• Feed hay 24/7 + appropriate pellets; limit vegetables and no fruit.
• Handle daily with support—create positive interactions.
• Monitor health daily; get baseline vet exam early and annual check-ups.
• Be mindful of tail fragility—tail-tip injury is irreversible.

11. When to Call the Vet Immediately

• Sudden weight loss or decreased appetite
• Dental signs—drooling, poor eating
• Respiratory signs—wheezing, runny nose
• Weakness or abnormal posture
• Changes in behavior—lethargy, aggressive chewing, hiding

Conclusion

Degus are captivating companions—but they require thoughtful care and enrichment to thrive. With adequate space, social life, mental stimulation, proper diet, and regular handling and health checks, your degus can live full, joyful lives into their senior years. 🐾

Support from Ask A Vet

Need tailored guidance on degu care or noticing worrying signs? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to speak with a professional vet for your small animal companion. We're here to help every hop of the way! 🐹📲

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your degu shows signs of illness, seek professional help promptly.