Mary Allen
Degus, these cute, pretty rodents from Chile with their plush fur and black button eyes, is related to the chinchilla. But also with the guinea pig. You can make use of this knowledge when it comes to feeding. Because the basic feed of a degu is similar to that of a chinchilla, and the juice feed is similar to that of a guinea pig. One thing is important: never give too much! An overfed degu gets sick easily and can get diabetes, for example!
Chinchilla or Meerli Food as a Good Basis
Use special degu feed as basic feed, which is available ready-mixed in your Fressnapf store. However, it should not contain dried fruit or nuts and should always be offered sparingly. You can also put together the food for degus yourself. Use chinchilla or guinea pig food as a basis and add dried herbs, dried vegetable flakes, and flower mixtures for chinchillas from your Fressnapf store. Your little animals will love them: in their homeland in Chile, they feed primarily on herbs on barren soil.
Hay is Important for Degus
Degus, who find little food in their homeland, are by nature not wolverines and cannot tolerate being overfed. However, they can’t get enough of one and they can also fill their stomach with it: hay! Make sure they always have access to fresh hay.
Vegetables in Moderation are Allowed
As a supplement, green fodder is allowed in small portions: vegetables, herbs, or lettuce. Essentially, the degu tolerates the same thing as guinea pigs: unsprayed lettuce, peppers, carrots, kohlrabi, or a piece of cucumber. Your degu will definitely not say no to a few leaves of dandelion, parsley, chamomile, rocket, or chickweed. Dried herbs or vegetables can also be offered as a healthy treat several times a week.
Better Not to Feed Any Fruit
Even if degus would find a fruit or dried fruit delicious: These should not be on the menu. The animals are poor at breaking down sugar, they often develop diabetes, which can lead to clouding of the lens and blindness. You should also use treats very sparingly – the staff at your Fressnapf store will be happy to advise you on what you can give. But then pull this off the forage!