Companion Animals

Degu Welfare: Group Housing and Diet

Degus are social South American rodents closely related to chinchillas, requiring group housing, very high-fibre diets with no added sugar and large enclosures to prevent welfare problems including diabetes.

Key Facts

Degus are highly susceptible to diabetes from sugar in the diet due to insulin insensitivity
They are highly social and suffer stress when housed alone, requiring groups of 2-4 minimum
Dental disease from inappropriate diet is one of the most common welfare problems in pet degus
Large multi-level enclosures with tunnels and platforms are needed for adequate physical expression

Welfare Considerations

Degu welfare failures are most commonly caused by inappropriate diet and solitary housing. Commercial rodent foods with molasses or fruit are dangerous to degus and can cause irreversible diabetic damage. Solitary housing causes chronic stress. Both problems are entirely preventable with appropriate husbandry information provided at point of sale.

What You Can Do

Feed degus only plain grasses, hay, herbs and specialist degu pellets with no added sugar
House degus in groups of at least two in large multi-level enclosures with enrichment
Seek a vet experienced with exotic small mammals for health assessments and dental checks
Advocate for improved husbandry information requirements at point of sale for exotic small mammals