Degus are used to a plant-based diet in their natural habitat on the western slopes of the Andes. Grasses, wild herbs, flowers, shrub leaves and seeds make up the majority of their diet in the semi-arid shrubland with a Mediterranean climate. Accordingly, it is important to consider the natural eating behavior of degus in order to provide them with optimal nutrition.

What is the degu diet?

Degus specialize in a simple but nutritious diet. Their digestive systems are designed to break down sugar very slowly, making them highly susceptible to diabetes. Therefore, degus should eat no fruit, no sugar, no molasses and very little starch. They do not eat and find all of this in the barren area of ​​their natural environment.

Hay, especially timothy hay *, is the main component of the degu diet and should be fed fresh every day. It contributes to good dental health and ensures a balanced digestive system. It should make up up to 80% of the total diet and can be supplemented with alfalfa hay as an occasional treat if needed. Good hay is bright green, has a pleasant, aromatic meadow scent and consists of relatively tender, dry, mostly structured stalks.

A dried mixture of leaves, herbs and flowers should also be available daily. In summer, these can also be fresh. About 10% of this mixture can consist of dried roots, vegetables, flowers and bark. Make sure that the dried individual parts are not too hard, otherwise they can damage the teeth and especially the roots of the teeth.

In addition, the administration of seeds 2-3 times a week is recommended. The ratio of oil to flour seeds should be 2:1.

Degus also need fresh greens on a regular basis. These include leafy vegetables and vegetable greens, flowers, non-toxic herbs and plants from the garden, forest and meadows. In winter, dark leaf lettuce, fennel greens, oak leaves and the like can be fed as an alternative.

Treats and little extras

Pumpkin seeds *, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts and pea flakes may be served as special treats. However, nuts should not be fed in large quantities at once and not daily!

In pet housing, degus are typically kept indoors, so it's important to also give them a small amount of vitamin D3, which the body would normally produce on its own when exposed to sunlight. This can be done, for example, with a species-appropriate ready-made food such as JR Grainless Herbs dwarf rabbits * and JR Grainless Herbs guinea pigs *, which contain an appropriate additive.

Make sure that certain products have no place in the tasting room. Dry bread, feed containing sugar (e.g. fruit, carob tree) or feed that is too starchy, pressed colorful feed pellets made from unclear components/molasses, yoghurt drops, feed sticks and rodent biscuits are not included. Also a limestone or salt lick

Have fun with the species-appropriate nutrition of your little companions!

Apart from feeding your degus, we would also like to point out that we offer degu merchandise in our online shop. Our products include t-shirts, hoodies, mugs and more, all featuring fun degu designs and degu sayings. We pride ourselves on offering quality products that delight degu owners and show their love for their little furry companions.

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