Degus are highly social South American rodents that live in large family groups in the wild - their welfare in captivity depends fundamentally on appropriate social housing and complex environments.
Degu welfare centres on social housing and environmental complexity. A single degu kept alone is a welfare failure - they are among the most socially obligate pets and solitary confinement causes clinical depression, repetitive behaviours and early mortality. Groups of three or more provide richer social environments than pairs. Enclosures must be very large with multiple levels, digging substrate and gnawing materials - commercial small animal cages are typically inadequate. Diet management requires predominantly hay with limited pellets and no sugary treats to prevent diabetes and dental disease.