Degu

Diabetes / cataracts

SignsExcessive drinking and urination, cloudy white eyes, weight loss, dull coat

PreventionNever give sugary fruit or vegetables, or sweet hamster food. Hay is the staple diet

Malocclusion

SignsDrooling, difficulty eating, avoiding hard food, weight loss, overgrown teeth so the mouth will not close

PreventionUnlimited hay at all times to wear down teeth. Provide chew sticks. Regular dental checks

Heatstroke

SignsLethargy, rapid breathing, red ears, drooling, lying flat and not moving

PreventionNever let the room exceed 28°C. Run air conditioning continuously in summer; avoid direct sunlight

Dermatitis / hair loss

SignsScratching, circular bald patches, dandruff, red skin, coat still greasy after dust baths

PreventionDaily dust bath in dry sand. Keep bedding clean and avoid damp

Intestinal blockage / constipation

SignsSmall or no droppings, reduced appetite, dislikes belly being touched, sits hunched and still

PreventionHay-based diet for fiber. No chewable cloth or cotton in the cage. Never run out of water

Tail slip (degloving)

SignsTail skin slips off exposing bone, bleeding; later the tail tip dies and falls off

PreventionNever grab the tail. Restrain by cupping the whole body in both hands. Check cage gaps

Tail slip

PreventionNever hold or pull the tail. Do not catch by the tail even when it escapes. Check cage gaps

First aidDo not touch the exposed part; cover lightly with clean gauze and see a vet the same day. Do not wait for it to fall off

Falls / fractures

PreventionReduce drops in multi-level cages; add steps within reach so a fall is short. Use a wheel with a solid side

First aidIf it drags a leg or will not move, place it in a small box to rest. Do not handle; see a vet the same day

Leg caught in cage

PreventionNo wire floors; use a slatted or solid floor without cloth. Use a wheel with no gaps

First aidDo not pull it out by force; support the body and slowly bend the wire apart. See a vet if there is swelling or bleeding

Bites from cage mates

PreventionHouse together only if compatible; separate if fighting continues. Introduce newcomers in a separate cage. Provide several food dishes

First aidSeparate immediately. Press the wound with clean gauze; see a vet if bleeding will not stop, it swells, or the animal is listless

Salmonellosis

RouteFrom hands that touched droppings, urine, or a dirty cage

PreventionAlways wash hands after care. No eating or drinking while cleaning. Extra care for children and the elderly

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with the skin or fur of an infected animal

PreventionWash hands after touching an animal with circular bald patches. Do not hold it until treated

Allergies

RouteInhaling dust from fur, hay, or bathing sand

PreventionVentilate while cleaning. See a doctor if you get sneezing or hives

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with urine or contaminated water from an infected animal

PreventionNo contact with wild rodents. Wear gloves to clean if you have cuts on your hands

Food

• Unlimited timothy hay at all times
• Degu-specific pellets, about 5% of body weight, morning and evening
• Dried vegetables and wild greens only as a tiny treat

Water

• Fresh water in a bottle, changed daily
• Check intake daily; see a vet if it suddenly increases

Toys & play

• Wheel with a solid side, at least 30 cm in diameter
• Chew sticks, wooden steps, wooden tunnels
• A container for daily dust baths in dry sand

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden or ceramic nest boxes, enough for all animals
• No cloth or cotton; they will swallow it

Bedding & litter

• Hay, wood chips, or paper bedding
• Avoid wire floors; they injure the feet
• Spot-clean daily; full change once a week

Cage / housing material

Multi-level wire cage; avoid plastic that can be chewed

Size & space

At least 60 W x 45 D x 60 H cm for two

Layout

• Keep level changes low and provide landing spots for falls
• Nest box on the top level; sand bath and dishes on the bottom
• Fix the wheel against a wall to prevent tipping

Placement notes

• Out of direct sunlight and away from air-conditioner drafts
• Diurnal, so a bright room with normal household sounds

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• About 30 minutes of supervised free-roam time per day
• Protect electrical cords and furniture from chewing
• Daily exercise on the wheel inside the cage

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–25°C; 28°C or above is dangerous

Humidity40–60%; sensitive to damp

Summer & winter

• Summer: air conditioning on at all times, marble cooling plate
• Winter: heater and nest box for warmth; never below 10°C

Nail trimming

Trim only the tip with small-animal clippers when overgrown. The blood vessel is visible; stop short of it. Have the vet do it if difficult

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Daily dry dust baths remove skin oil. Never bathe in water

Other care

Check weekly that the white part of the teeth is not overgrown. Degu teeth are orange even when healthy

Protection from predators

• Keep in a separate room from dogs, cats, and ferrets
• Close doors and windows during free-roam time; watch for birds
• In summer, use screens and repellents to keep mosquitoes out

Foreign-body ingestion

Chews and swallows cloth, cotton, plastic, rubber bands. Clear them away before free-roam time; if droppings decrease, suspect a blockage and see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

They run to your feet, so always check before stepping. If stepped on, do not handle; place in a small box and see a vet

Getting pinched

Easily caught in doors, sliding doors, and cage doors. Check its position before opening or closing. After being pinched, suspect a fracture and see a vet

Falls

Falls from height cause fractures and tail slip. Keep cage levels low; hold it while sitting on the floor. After a fall, rest and see a vet

Escape

Chews its way out. Always secure the door with a latch. If it escapes, close off a quiet room and lure it with the sand bath and nest box

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, relax, and wait calmly
2. Support the chest with your other hand to steady the body
3. Offer hay or a chew stick at its mouth to distract it
4. Once it lets go, gently return it to the cage and leave it alone

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. See a doctor if swollen, hot, or infected. Look for the cause of the bite (pain, fear)

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Diet and amount eaten, condition of droppings, any excessive drinking/urination, number of cage mates; bring droppings and urine. Photos also help

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response to your voice or a light touch on the nose
• Watch chest movement. Normal breathing is about 100 per minute
• Place a finger on the chest to feel the heartbeat. Normal is about 270 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press the wound gently with clean gauze for several minutes
• For tail bleeding, press at the base; never pull
• After bleeding stops, keep warm in a towel and see a vet

Transport

• Line a small carrier with a towel and keep it dark
• Add a hand warmer wrapped in a towel; no direct contact