The Cage
Cage
It's a good idea to take into account both the size of the room and the amount of time your degus spend outside their cage- the less time they have out of the cage the bigger it will need to be. A typical cage for a maximum of two degus that are let out once or more a day for at least one hour should be a minimum size of: 70 L x 70-100 H x 44 W cm. Remember that any shelves/levels made of wire mesh should be covered with linoleum or something similar to protect your degus feet and that the cage should have a solid, metal base (degus will chew through a plastic or wooden base and escape). The cage should be place in a light, damp-free room out of direct sunlight. The room should be neither too warm nor too cool and care should be taken to avoid placing the cage near a draft. It's important to check how your cage is secured as degus are highly intelligent and can soon learn to escape from all but the most secure of homes! I find that for degus that are very high stress that playing soft music or a radio helps to calm them down, as they wont here other noises in the house that might startle them. Another way to make a cage is to build your own. You can take an aquarium and custom build a wire mesh and wood top to go over it so they have more climbing area.
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Bedding
To maintain cage hygiene, a litter substrate must be used to absorb moisture. A popular substrate to use is pine wood shavings- please ensure it has been made from kiln dried pine. NEVER use cedar wood chips, as these are highly toxic when ingested, and avoid sawdust as the fine particles readily become airborne and often cause respiratory complaints. There are many bedding alternatives on the market, including recycled cardboard, processed newspaper pellets, corn cob and wheat straw. In terms of absorbency, wood shavings and recycled newspaper absorb 400% while wheat straw absorbs 200%. Recycled newspaper does not hold toxic properties in terms of printing ink content. Something that should never be used as a substrate is wood pellet or paper pellet type cat litter. Not only can the rough surface of wood pellets contribute to bumble foot, but since these pellets are designed to swell on contact with moisture, they can cause potentially fatal rupture of the stomach if ingested. Some times what i find works the best is a paper bedding like Carefresh mixed with some nesting bedding such as hemp or shredded paper. If they live in an aquarium the best bedding is paper based because of the dust and odor.
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What To Have In The Cage
Nest Box
In the wild, degus sleep in burrows. A nest box is an artificial replication of a burrow environment, and your degus will quickly learn to nest and sleep in a comfy nest box. For a cheaper alternative, you can make your own nest box out of thick card, but remember this isn't going to last as long! Bedding material should be supplied to allow degus to line the box as they would line a burrow. The best material to do this with is shredded jay cloths or long strips of soft, shredded paper.
Dust bath
Degus need regular dust baths in order to keep their fur free from naturally oils. Degus should be allowed access to a dust bath at least twice a week. It's best to use a large, high-sided bowl as a bath, and to place it in your degus play area as placing it in the cage is unhygienic and can lead to overuse and various disorders. Remember to change the dust/sand in the bath every week or so to maintain its effectiveness.
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Wheel
A wheel is essential in your degu's home as it allows your degus to get the exercise they need every day.The wheel should be large, with plenty of room for the degus to stretch out whilst running. It must be a solid wheel, as open rung (wire frame) wheels have been reported to cause serious injury to a range of animals. These injuries most commonly include broken legs, feet and toes. The wheel should also not contain spokes, especially if there is more than one degu in the cage, as the points where the spokes cross over can also damage your degus, with the most common injury being a severed tail.
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Food Bowl and Water Bottle
Food bowls are a must-have, as they prevent food contamination by keeping food off the cage floor. These should be shallow, ceramic dishes that allow easy access to food but can't be tipped over (one for each degu is a good idea!). Dietary hay should also be kept off the floor by providing it in a bowl or, ideally, a hay rack. Water should be supplied in a drinking bottle with a spout to prevent water contamination and ensure improved hygiene and safety.