Need Degu Advice

[escape_thereal_world]

They arent a common pet but I was hopng somebody on ehre might have an idea about them.

I've had Jack for 3 years now and he has been wonderful (male degu). When I first got him I didn't know they needed other degus :/ they were just in pet stores and nobody knew much about them as pets.

Anyways, tonight he was squealing all night long, and Ive never heard him squeal this loudly before, or for so long.

all I read is that he was scared, but no matter what I did, he was still doing it. So I've let him out now and he seems fine.

I guess maybe I need to get him some safe in-cage toys?

[Nenya]

Hi there,

I haven't had any degus myself but they are social creatures so make sure to spend lots of time with him yourself since you don't have a second degu.

I think putting some more toys in there for him would be a good idea since then there's more to distract himself with. Also, perhaps try and work out the reason why he was scared. If it happens again take note of what's happening around him since if you know what's scaring him then it'll be easier to deal with.

Have you ever thought about getting a second degu? It might be a bit tricky to house them together at first but if you do it right then you should be okay.

Take care

[escape_thereal_world]

I did about a year after I had Jack but the other degu (even after slow introductions) ended up hurting Jack. He wouldn't leave him alone and kept nudging his head underneath Jack until he started to limp

So we took the other one back and I've been really reluctant to get another one since.

Also, I came home from work and Jack was squealing like that again. And he doesn't seem to stop. :/

I think I may call a vet to see what they say.

[TheBabyEater]

Toys, toys, and more toys always helps. They don't even need to be expensive, I know with my mice and hedgehog they seem to much prefer cheap things they can tear up instead of expensive plastic toys you might get for a dog. I regularly just save tissue boxes, toilet rolls, and sometimes even paper that they can tear up, and LOVE doing. However, I must admit I don't know much about the specific care of degus I assume they're similar to the care of other rodents though. Having a good, safe wheel would definitely help too, along with making sure you've got a large cage. My hedgehog used to be fairly inactive until I moved him from his old expensive cage to a cheap set up on my floor, easy and simple, and now he's out all the time.

This page seems to know quite a bit as well. If he doesn't quit the squealing, you might want to reconsider the friend option. There's a lot of problems with males though, they often tend to be territorial and hurt or pick fights with other rodents. Again, I'm no degu expert, but sometimes, sometimes you can get a different species pet to be friends with them. I'd do a lot of research though before you do anything drastic like buying another pet.

[escape_thereal_world]

We want to get his new cage finished before we get him a cagemate. That way the new degu can use Jack's old cage until we get them introduced well enough.

I'm so weary of buying him toys...I know thats horrible. I've tried paper towel rolls and letting him play in dust bath or water but he has no interest in most things degus are supposed to like. Degus are supposed to dust bathe twice a week...and most LOVE it. Jack HATES it.

He doesn't like most degu treats, and he hardly runs on his wheel. That could be because I think he's outgrowing his though.

He seems to have quieted down tonight though. So I'll just keep an eye on him.

Thanks for the advice guys!

[TheBabyEater]

To be completely honest, I wouldn't disregard new toys or anything either way. I think a new cage could do wonders. My hedgehog seems to have cheered up considerably. Before he was never out, all he would do was eat, sleep, and poop. Now he's up, investigating toys, getting his head in toilet paper tubes, and on his wheel more often. All simply because he had a new home that he obviously likes better. I would wait and see how he is in his new home Then again, he might just be more of a cuddler than a player, like my hedgehog is more of a player than a cuddler!