{"id":49395,"date":"2022-04-13T05:41:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T05:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/"},"modified":"2022-04-13T05:41:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T05:41:21","slug":"are-degus-good-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Are degus good pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_good_pets\" title=\"Are degus good pets?\">Are degus good pets?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Is_a_degu_a_rat\" title=\"Is a degu a rat?\">Is a degu a rat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Is_a_degu_a_rodent\" title=\"Is a degu a rodent?\">Is a degu a rodent?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_cuddly\" title=\"Are degus cuddly?\">Are degus cuddly?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degus_like_to_be_held\" title=\"Do degus like to be held?\">Do degus like to be held?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degu_bites_hurt\" title=\"Do degu bites hurt?\">Do degu bites hurt?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_do_I_need_to_know_before_getting_a_degu\" title=\"What do I need to know before getting a degu?\">What do I need to know before getting a degu?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_related_to_rats\" title=\"Are degus related to rats?\">Are degus related to rats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_is_the_difference_between_a_degu_and_a_rat\" title=\"What is the difference between a degu and a rat?\">What is the difference between a degu and a rat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_family_are_degus_from\" title=\"What family are degus from?\">What family are degus from?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_rats\" title=\"Are degus rats?\">Are degus rats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_type_of_animal_is_a_degus\" title=\"What type of animal is a degus?\">What type of animal is a degus?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degus_like_to_be_cuddled\" title=\"Do degus like to be cuddled?\">Do degus like to be cuddled?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_friendly\" title=\"Are degus friendly?\">Are degus friendly?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degus_like_being_pet\" title=\"Do degus like being pet?\">Do degus like being pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degus_like_humans\" title=\"Do degus like humans?\">Do degus like humans?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Can_you_hold_a_degu\" title=\"Can you hold a degu?\">Can you hold a degu?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#How_do_I_know_if_my_degu_is_happy\" title=\"How do I know if my degu is happy?\">How do I know if my degu is happy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#How_do_you_get_a_degu_to_like_you\" title=\"How do you get a degu to like you?\">How do you get a degu to like you?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Why_did_my_degu_bite_me\" title=\"Why did my degu bite me?\">Why did my degu bite me?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Do_degu_like_to_be_held\" title=\"Do degu like to be held?\">Do degu like to be held?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Can_degus_be_held\" title=\"Can degus be held?\">Can degus be held?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_do_you_need_for_a_degu\" title=\"What do you need for a degu?\">What do you need for a degu?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#Are_degus_hard_to_take_care_of\" title=\"Are degus hard to take care of?\">Are degus hard to take care of?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-degus-good-pets\/#What_happens_if_a_degu_bites_you\" title=\"What happens if a degu bites you?\">What happens if a degu bites you?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_good_pets\"><\/span>Are degus good pets?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus are very intelligent and highly sociable animals that love to play and explore. They have a friendly nature and are outgoing little rodents. <b>They make fantastic pets, but need a lot of care and arent an animal you should choose on a whim.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_degu_a_rat\"><\/span>Is a degu a rat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The word degu comes from the indigenous language of Chile, Mapudungun, and the word dewxfc, meaning mouse or rat. The animal may be kept as a pocket pet, though there are prohibitions on their ownership in some territories. As a pet, the animal is larger than a golden hamster but smaller than a fancy rat.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_degu_a_rodent\"><\/span>Is a degu a rodent?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Degus are small, social and vocal rodents. They have long silky coats that are grey-brown tinged, and a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip. Typically degus can live for 6-7 years in captivity.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_cuddly\"><\/span>Are degus cuddly?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Are degus cuddly? <b>Degus can get very affectionate and cuddly when theyre used to you handling them. The degu is a very intelligent animal that will want to cuddle with you but will also like cuddling with other degus.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degus_like_to_be_held\"><\/span>Do degus like to be held?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Are degus cuddly? <b>Degus can get very affectionate and cuddly when theyre used to you handling them. The degu is a very intelligent animal that will want to cuddle with you but will also like cuddling with other degus.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degu_bites_hurt\"><\/span>Do degu bites hurt?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus do like to socialize with their owners. However, <b>degus do not like to be held or cuddled. Allow your degu to come to you, and limit the amount of time you spend holding it.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_I_need_to_know_before_getting_a_degu\"><\/span>What do I need to know before getting a degu?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus are friendly animals that generally wont resort to biting unless they feel threatened and have no way out. A degu might give you a little grooming nip but this doesnt really hurt or break the skin. <b>Its only in rare cases that a degu will bite hard and such a bite might hurt and cause an injury.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_related_to_rats\"><\/span>Are degus related to rats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>degu, (genus Octodon), <b>one of four species of ratlike South American rodents found primarily on the lower western slopes of the Andes Mountains.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_a_degu_and_a_rat\"><\/span>What is the difference between a degu and a rat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>With a body the size of a rats and a tail the length of a gerbils, degus (also called brush-tailed rats) look kind of like oversized gerbils. Intelligent like their rat cousins, degus are very social and full of personality.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_family_are_degus_from\"><\/span>What family are degus from?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Degus are small, social and vocal rodents. They have long silky coats that are grey-brown tinged, and a long, thin tail with a tufted, black tip. Typically degus can live for 6-7 years in captivity.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_rats\"><\/span>Are degus rats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The word degu comes from the indigenous language of Chile, Mapudungun, and the word dewxfc, meaning mouse or rat. The animal may be kept as a pocket pet, though there are prohibitions on their ownership in some territories. As a pet, <b>the animal is larger than a golden hamster but smaller than a fancy rat<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_type_of_animal_is_a_degus\"><\/span>What type of animal is a degus?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>degu, (genus Octodon), one of four species of <b>ratlike South American rodents found primarily on the lower western slopes of the Andes Mountains. It is one of the most common mammals of central Chile at elevations up to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet), where it prefers open grassy areas near shrubs, rocks, and stone walls.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degus_like_to_be_cuddled\"><\/span>Do degus like to be cuddled?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus arent really cuddly pets so <b>we wouldnt recommend cuddling your degus. Its much better to give them lots of toys and activities and just watch them be themselves!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_friendly\"><\/span>Are degus friendly?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Handling your degus Although degus are <b>usually friendly, they tend not to like being picked up and carried. But, as you may have to handle your degu occasionally when cleaning or health checking, its a good idea to get them used to gentle handling from an early age.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degus_like_being_pet\"><\/span>Do degus like being pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Are degus really that affectionate? <b>Pet degus are affectionate towards other degus and their owners. They show their love by cuddling up to their owners and grooming the other degus in their cage. Degus have a very distinctive way of expressing their affection towards others.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degus_like_humans\"><\/span>Do degus like humans?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Degus are very gregarious and energetic, forming close bonds with their owners and with other degus. They recognize other degus and their owners by sight and sound and will often stand up on their hind legs in their cages to indicate that they want to get out when they see their owners.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_hold_a_degu\"><\/span>Can you hold a degu?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus arent really cuddly pets so <b>we wouldnt recommend cuddling your degus. Its much better to give them lots of toys and activities and just watch them be themselves!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_know_if_my_degu_is_happy\"><\/span>How do I know if my degu is happy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The key to safely handling your degu is to build trust with them. A happy degu who is relaxed in your company will often be more than happy to come to you for a cuddle or a belly rub. NEVER pick your degu up by its tail.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_get_a_degu_to_like_you\"><\/span>How do you get a degu to like you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A rapid succession of squeaks usually signifies that the degu is scared; it is attention-grabbing, so youll know to check on your degu if you hear it. Hopefully, <b>youll hear your degu make a warbling or chirping sound  this should be music to your ears, as it means that your pet is happy and content.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_did_my_degu_bite_me\"><\/span>Why did my degu bite me?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Why is my degu biting me? <b>If your degu is new to you, they might need some time to get to know who you are and that you arent dangerous. A stressed degu will be more likely to bite you, so make sure you arent trying to pick him up incorrectly (let him come to you) and dont corner them.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_degu_like_to_be_held\"><\/span>Do degu like to be held?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus do like to socialize with their owners. However, <b>degus do not like to be held or cuddled. Allow your degu to come to you, and limit the amount of time you spend holding it.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_degus_be_held\"><\/span>Can degus be held?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>they run, hop, jump and twist too.<\/b><b>Common degu behaviours:<\/b><\/p>\n<li>Vocalisation. Degus often use a variety of sounds to communicate.  <\/li>\n<li>Tail movements:  <\/li>\n<li>Dust bathing:  <\/li>\n<li>Movements:<\/li>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_you_need_for_a_degu\"><\/span>What do you need for a degu?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus require <b>a large amount of space and should be kept in a big multi-level cage similar to those made for ferrets or chinchillas. The cage should have a solid floor. Provide a sufficient amount of bedding that will allow for digging and stockpiling of food.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_degus_hard_to_take_care_of\"><\/span>Are degus hard to take care of?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The degu is a social animal and is active throughout the day, with peaks of activity at twilight periods. These little animals are <b>low-maintenance pets that are pretty easy to tame. They do need to be kept in pairs or groups to be happy.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_a_degu_bites_you\"><\/span>What happens if a degu bites you?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Degus are friendly animals that generally wont resort to biting unless they feel threatened and have no way out. A degu might give you a little grooming nip but this doesnt really hurt or break the skin. Its only in rare cases that a degu will bite hard and such a bite <b>might hurt and cause an injury<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Are degus good pets?Is a degu a rat?Is a degu a rodent?Are degus cuddly?Do degus like to be held?Do degu bites hurt?What do I need to know before getting a degu?Are degus related to rats?What is the difference between a degu and a rat?What family are degus from?Are degus rats?What type of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49395"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49395\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}