Care and maintenance of Chilean squirrels (Degus) at home

The degu is a small Chilean squirrel. This unusual animal is popular with both children and adults. It can easily be classified as a rodent. It's a squirrel and a jerboa all rolled into one.

The degu is a small, cute animal native to South America. Chilean degus range in length from 9 to 23 cm. These nimble, brown-gray rodents are common. Adults can weigh up to 300 grams and live up to 8 years.

Care and maintenance of the animal at home

The Chilean degu loves spacious housing, which means that for keeping them at home, an aquarium or a homemade one is suitable. two-story small houseSand should be placed on the ground floor, and sawdust on the second floor. Food and water are essential parts of squirrel care and maintenance. It's crucial to monitor the condition of the food and the amount of water in the water bowl.

This rodent is quite lively and energetic, so it wouldn't hurt to add a rotating wheel to its home so it can engage in its favorite activity. Keeping a Chilean rodent like this won't break the bank, as they don't require much. Degus, like all rodents, enjoy sharpening their small, sharp teeth, so a small log or stone is a must in their home.

If you notice that your squirrel has been inactive and barely eating for several days, you should introduce a companion rodent. After all, a squirrel can't stand being alone, and it feels happier and calmer in a pair.

Caring for a Chilean rodent doesn't require much effort. It only requires feeding, watering, bathing, and cleaning up after itself. Bathing in sand baths – is a whole other story. As we all know, degus love to frolic in the sand. They'll burrow in it or simply roll around in it. It's important to keep in mind that the sand should be crystal clear, free of debris. Only then will the Chilean rodent be happy and, consequently, will they delight their owner.

What does the Chilean degu eat?

Homemade nutrition plays a crucial role in the care and maintenance of this degu. Vegetable proteins and fats are very beneficial for degus. Feeding them fruits, vegetables, and store-bought food is extremely unsafe. Otherwise, there is a risk of health problems.

As with all rodents, The degu's diet includes:

• corn;
• oatmeal;
• peas;
• crackers;
• herbs (chamomile, hawthorn);
• rose hip;
• alfalfa;
• nuts, etc.

Degu health

Every owner wants their pet to be healthy and energetic, so it's essential to take care of them and groom them. Pay attention to any changes in their behavior and appearance, and don't forget about the condition of the coatIf any abnormalities occur, consult a veterinarian immediately. Ignoring these issues can lead to more serious changes or, worst of all, death. To ensure your degu lives happily for about 8 years at home, it's important to always follow the rules below.

Examination of appearance:

• Carefully examine the fur and skin condition. The rodent's fur should be brownish, medium length, free of tangles, and fluffy. The skin should be free of redness, allergies, rashes, or any growths. If nothing is found at this stage, the degu is healthy. You can proceed to the next stage of the examination.
• Eye examination. There should be no congested growths (conjunctivitis) on the eyes. They should be clean, free of any films or rashes.

Psychological state of the animal:

• You should observe the animal, its behavior, and movements. If the rodent is quiet, sleepy, and lethargic, this is the first sign of illness.
• An important rule is to examine the stool; there should be no foreign objects in the stool, but if any are found, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Pros and cons of degus

Pros:

• Since the animal is small, it eats much less than other animals.
• The degu is an understanding and loving rodent, energetic and positive. Under certain circumstances, it easily understands its owner, becomes attached, and recognizes their voice.
• Unlike other rodents, degus do not have an unpleasant odor and do not require special, careful care like other representatives of this family.
• Degus, like humans, are awake during the day and sleep peacefully at night, so don't worry about your little squirrel being active at night, making noise, and disturbing your sleep.
• The Chilean rodent is quite long-lived, as mentioned above. It will easily become a family pet and friend for a long time, as its lifespan reaches 8 years.
• Since degus drink little, they produce little waste, unlike rats and guinea pigs. Therefore, cleaning can be done less frequently, which is quite convenient.

Cons:

• Since the animal loves to bathe in sand, it will spill outside the house, so it is important to monitor this and clean up after the degu daily.
• The Degu squirrel has an interesting personality. It's very friendly and forms a strong bond with its owner, but it takes time to develop this bond, as it's not a dog. As the saying goes, it doesn't happen overnight; just give it a little time, and the rodent will become the family's best friend.
• Degus are curious and eager to taste various objects. If allowed to roam freely around the apartment, they can damage furniture, tables, and chairs. Therefore, it's essential to supervise their movements and activities.

After weighing the pros and cons, it's clear that the positives far outweigh the negatives. This means you can buy a degu without even thinking twice. If you're looking for an unusual pet, unlike a cat or dog, don't hesitate to get this clean, wonderful companion.

If there are children in the family, they will be simply crazy about him; this fragile squirrel has a big heart. Besides, he harmless and doesn't bite at all, you can not worry and play calmly, but only carefully, so as not to harm the animal itself.

If you don't mind cleaning up after the animal occasionally, it will be a joy to have. The price in Russia is quite reasonable, starting at 450 rubles for a small degu. The cage and food are also inexpensive. It's easy to see that the small Chilean degu has undoubtedly only positive aspects, which outweigh several negatives.