Pet Degu Care: Vet Guide 2025 – Essential Tips from a Vet 🐾

— Written by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet —

🪶 Introduction

Degus (Octodon degu) are friendly, diurnal rodents native to Chile, living in large communities with complex burrows. As pets, they need more care than just housing—they require companionship, exercise, and a specialized environment. This guide covers everything veterinary, practical, and enriching to help you provide an exceptional life for your degu.

📏 1. Housing & Environment

Cage size and structure: Minimum of 24″×18″×24″ for a pair—but more space is always better. Multi-level wired cages with solid surfaces are ideal to meet their climbing instinct :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

• Materials: Use metal wire cages. Avoid plastic or wood; degus chew through them :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Bedding: Paper-based substrates; avoid dusty wood shavings to reduce respiratory risks :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Nesting spots: Provide hiding spots using wood boxes filled with hay :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Ventilation: Cage in low-humidity, well-ventilated areas, away from drafts or direct sunlight :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

💡 2. Social Needs & Handling

Degus thrive in same-sex pairs or groups. Social isolation leads to stress and aggression :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

• Handling: Handle gently and regularly from a young age to tame. Never pick up by the tail—they can shed it as a defense mechanism :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Playtime: Offer supervised out-of-cage time in degu-proofed areas daily :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

🍎 3. Diet & Hydration

Provide unlimited high-fiber grass hay (Timothy, orchard); degus are strict herbivores and only need pellets formulated for degus or chinchillas :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

• Pellets: Low-sugar, high-fiber commercial pellets only.
• Veggies: Small amounts of leafy greens; avoid sugary fruits due to diabetes risk :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Water: Always available via heavy bowl or chew-proof bottle :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

🏃 4. Enrichment & Exercise

• Solid wheel: Minimum 11–12″ diameter, chew-proof, for cardiovascular health :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Chew toys: Wood blocks, mineral chews to wear teeth and prevent boredom :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Digging opportunities: Provide boxes with safe substrate to mimic wild foraging behavior :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

🧼 5. Grooming & Dust Baths

Like chinchillas, degus need sand or dust baths 2–3 times/week for 30 minutes to maintain coat health and skin condition :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

🩺 6. Health & Common Disorders

• Dental issues: Incisors grow continually—check weekly for overgrowth; veterinary trimming may be needed :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Diabetes risk: High carbohydrate diet leads to insulin resistance—stick to low-sugar feeding :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Respiratory issues: Watch for sneezing or discharge—often due to poor ventilation or dusty bedding :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Pododermatitis (“bumblefoot”): Use solid flooring or grass mats on cage shelves :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Skin issues: Maintain dust baths and clean housing to prevent irritations :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Ear mites: Look for scratching; consult a vet if present :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

👀 7. Monitoring Health

• Daily checks: appetite, posture, activity, urination, droppings.
• Weekly inspections: feet, ears, teeth.
• Annual wellness exams with an exotics vet experienced in rodents :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

🧠 8. Behavior & Communication

Degus are social and vocal—they chirp, squeak, and scent mark. They may groom each other or emit high-pitched alarm calls if stressed :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.

♻️ 9. Lifespan & Reproduction

Under good care, degus live 6–8 years; some reach 10–13 :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}. Diurnal and active, they may breed prolifically—consider neutering to prevent unwanted litters :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

✅ 10. Quick-care Summary Table

📌 Role of Ask A Vet

• Behavior checks: Help interpret abnormal sounds or activity.
• Health alerts: Guide early identification of dental, metabolic, or skin problems.
• Veterinary sourcing: Recommend local exotics vets experienced with degus.
• Diet & supplements: Advise on safe menu planning and obesity prevention.
• Enrichment design: Suggest cage layout and rotation of toys.

Conclusion

Degus are intelligent, social, and entertaining pets but require dedicated care—including companionship, proper diet, enrichment, hygiene, and veterinary support—to thrive in captivity. By meeting their physical, mental, and health needs, you give them the best quality of life. And whenever you're unsure, the Ask A Vet app is available for expert guidance every step along the way 🐹📱.

New to degus or noticing something off? Connect with an exotic vet and get personalized support via Ask A Vet today.

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, Ask A Vet