Are Degus Affectionate?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Degus typically nest and storage their food under rocks in the areas they inhabit. … Once they get used to you,

Degus can be very affectionate

and will want to be pet and picked up. They are very sweet natured and won’t bite unless threatened or hurt, and they can be trained to respond to their names.

Do degus like to cuddle?

How Are Degus Affectionate Towards Their Owners? … They are smarter than some other rodents and love to live in a clean and neat place, that’s why it is very common to see degus rearrange their home.

They also love cuddling and will cuddle with you once they start to know you

.

Do degus like to be held?

Do degus like being handled? … As

long as your degus have gotten used to being gently handled from a young age, they will be fine with being picked up

. This said, it’s better to play with them rather than picking them up a lot! Never pick your degus up by their tails.

Can you hold a degu?

With a new or nervous

degu never try to grab them

. … Eventually your degu will increase in confidence but you need to be patient! Once your degu is happy being held and is settled in your company it is possible to carefully pick them up by putting your thumb behind their front legs and your fingers over their back.

How do you entertain a degu?


ROPE TOYS

– Any cotton or sisal rope toys with kiln dried pine beads or other objects are great entertainment for degus. Make sure the colours used to stain the wood are natural dyes. JINGLE BALL TOYS- All degus enjoy rolling jingle ball toys around their home and play area.

Do degus smell?

As with all animals they

only smell if you don’t clean them

, and is also dependent on what floor covering you use. But generally, I find them less smelly than other rodents.

How often do degus need a dust bath?

Provide a dust bath

at least twice a week

. The cage should be large and have solid floors. Numbers: Degus are social animals that may be housed in same sex pairs.

How many degus should I get?

Degus are social animals and do not do well as single pets. You should

have at least two degus at a time

. However, degus generally do well in larger groups. Consider adopting three to four degus instead of just one.

What size wheel should a Degu have?

Degus need a solid-surface exercise wheel

(12 inches in diameter)

.

What can degus chew on?

  • apple.
  • arbutus.
  • ash.
  • bamboo cane.
  • blackberrry.
  • blackcurrant.
  • cholla.
  • coconut shell.

How long can degus go without food?

Although you wouldn’t ever be cruel enough to deprive your degus of water, in the wild they can survive without drinking for

up to 13 days42

.

Do degus like music?

The degus prefer

South American folk instrumental music to Western music

. They did not show selective preference for either Western music style, but showed preference for Chilean music over Peruvian.

How do you get a degu to trust you?


Hand training

is really great for encouraging your degu to trust you and bond more closely with you as an owner, and it works well for nervy degus in that it can be taught directly from the open cage door.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.