Fashion for exotic pets today is only gaining momentum. Cats and dogs no longer surprise anyone. Therefore, people start in the apartments of hedgehogs and turtles, spiders and scorpions, raccoons, squirrels. Moreover, most often this decision is emotional. I saw a pretty animal and took it home. And the fact that tomorrow he will swing on the chandelier or gnaw a hole in the parquet - the owners begin to think about this as problems arise.
Chilean squirrel
This animal only recently began to be actively supplied to pet stores, its second name - degu - is still unknown to many. But be sure that when you meet an amazing creature, you will not remain indifferent. Chinchilla coat, sad eyes and tiny paws. A cute and gentle little animal is ready to melt the heart of every person. Do not be surprised that degu food is also available only in the largest stores, and even only on specialized online sites.
let's get acquainted
If you want a charming perpetual motion machine to live at home, the movement of which is difficult to track (even if you are very diligent in doing it), then it is quite possible that this animal can become a good friend. But for those who hope that a quiet creature-dormouse will settle in them, it is better to look for another option.
Daegu are small rodents that have short hair and elongated ears. Why did they gain popularity among lovers of exotic animals? First of all, because they do not have any specific smell. At the same time, caring for them is not at all complicated, and for many years they can please the owner with energy. Chilean squirrel degu has its own content features, which every owner should know about, and before this rodent crosses the threshold of his house.
Peculiar look
At first glance it is clear that this is not the forest fluffy beauty that we are used to seeing in the pictures. But the shape of the head and the curved back they resemble them. Chilean squirrel degu is usually gray or brown, but these animals may be red. On the back, the coat is longer and stiffer. The abdomen, as a rule, is lighter - from cream to milky.
The main difference from the usual squirrel is that this animal does not have a luxurious tail. It is covered with degu skin, which with a sharp jerk is removed by stocking. After that, new skin grows on the basis of. Adults weigh 300-400 g each. Their length is about 40 cm along with the tail. Pets usually weigh a little less than their wild counterparts.
The digestion in these animals is quite sensitive, so you need to consult with the breeder and choose the food for degu that he will advise. We’ll talk about this in more detail below. Squirrel's vision is not very sharp, but the eyes are arranged in such a way that they can provide a wide range of vision. The animal has excellent hearing and smell, so it quickly and easily navigates. Moreover, regardless of the time of day or lighting. Little animals live for a long time. In nature, this period is limited to 6-8 years, and at home they often live up to 12 years.
Habitual habitat
Based on this, you can understand what kind of food for degu is optimal. The exotic nature of these animals lies in the fact that their usual habitat is forests and rocks, deserts and marshes of South American countries. They can be found in Chile and in Peru, in Brazil. They are found in some regions of Bolivia.
They began to be imported into Russia as decorative animals and gained wide popularity. Moreover, many owners only after the acquisition begin to think what kind of food for degu should be chosen.
Start or not
Keeping an exotic animal at home is not just fun. It is also a big responsibility. Before you dare and get degu, you need to decide whether this creature suits you. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining degu at home.
The following advantages can be distinguished:
- Compared to large animals, rodents consume little food.
- This squirrel does not take up much space. Just decide on the location of the cell where it will live.
- Degu - animals are curious, active and outgoing. Only at first glance do they live on their own. With a sufficient amount of communication, degu is strongly attached to the owner.
- The biggest plus - the animals do not have a specific smell.
- Squirrel leads a daily lifestyle, and therefore does not wake you at night with extraneous noise.
- This is a steppe animal that drinks a little liquid and, therefore, produces little secretions. The cell does not have to be cleaned very often.
- Degu is a long-liver.
What to think about
But not all owners are delighted with their degu. Therefore, you must always keep in mind the negative points.
- Squirrel loves to swim in the sand. Therefore, you should be prepared for the fact that you will have to remove not only the cell, but also the space around it.
- Taming a rodent is not at all easy. This is not a cat or a dog for you. But with due patience, it’s quite possible.
- The squirrel loves to try various objects on the tooth. It can be your furniture, shoes, wiring, other valuable items. It is very difficult to follow on a walk, it moves at a tremendous speed. Take it in your hands, the animal will leak through your fingers and return to your studies. It is difficult to train, you should not rely on devotion.
How to choose the right
If you have weighed the pros and cons, but did not change your mind to take this amazing creature with delicate hair and sad eyes, then you need to think about where to get it. Do not go to the bird market. There is a chance to buy wild cub. Negligent breeders simply acquire several individuals and place them in a large cage. The grown offspring are caught and sold. And since neither they nor their parents have socialization, problems cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is best to look for a good breeder and be sure to look to visit him.
- The age of the animal. The most important aspect. It is best to take babies 1.5 months. Food for degu is predominantly grain mixtures, we will consider them below. Previously, they feed exclusively on mother’s milk, so separation from her is tantamount to death.
- Pay attention to the conditions of parents. Do they have a clean cell, how animals are well-groomed and healthy.
- Take an interest in the diet of parents. If they are fed incorrectly, then the risk of developing diseases in babies increases dramatically.
- Be sure to pay attention to the behavior of adult animals. If they were kept under normal conditions, then they do not run away when a person approaches. On the contrary, animals show interest and consider everyone who approaches the cage.
- In a healthy baby, the coat is even and smooth, without bald spots. The eyes are sparkling, they are completely dry. But the lack of a brush on the tail does not bother you, these are just features of the appearance.
Be sure to ask how the animals live. At the age of 1.5-2 months, a young female may already be covered by her own dad or brothers. Therefore, as soon as the offspring begins to eat from a bowl (1.5 months), males and females are immediately separated. Alone, they are pretty bad, so it’s best to keep several individuals of the same sex in each cell.
Aviary equipment
Make sure that all the necessary elements are inside the cells. These are houses and minks, as the last you can use old clay pots. These are very active animals. So that they have something to put their energy into, in the cells they install shelves at different levels. They are attached very carefully so that the animal is not injured during the game.
Be sure to install several bowls for food, as well as a drinker. Litter must be required. To do this, lay white paper on the bottom, and on it - a layer of sawdust or pressed corncobs. Do not forget about the wheel for running, a stone for grinding teeth and a bath with sand for swimming.
We remove poisonous plants
Any green spaces can serve as a treat for degu. Squirrel for a walk, in principle, will try on the tooth everything that is in the room. Therefore, before buying an animal, give the following plants:
- Sansevieria.
- Dieffenbachia.
- Feronia.
- Flamingo flower.
- Christmas star.
- Indoor Aralia.
- Calla.
If, nevertheless, the animal tasted any of the listed colors, it must be urgently shown to the veterinarian. Time counting goes on minutes.
How often to feed
So, the newly made pet takes its place, it's time to go to the pet store. Be sure to ask the breeder about what he feeds degu. Even if the food was not optimal, the animal should be transferred to a new feed gradually, replacing the usual food with no more than 20% per day.
The optimal method involves fractional nutrition. The daily portion should be divided into 3-5 small parts and given throughout the day. In this case, the animal will not feel hunger and scatter food.
What should be in the trough
- Cereal mixes for degu. They can be made independently, including wheat, barley, millet, oats. In pet stores there are also ready-made mixtures.
- Be sure to add hay to the diet. In summer, it can be partially replaced with fresh grass, but cannot be completely excluded. Therefore, periodically engage in blanks.
- Alfalfa.
- Fresh clover leaves and flowers, dandelion.
- Leaves, branches and bark of fruit trees. It can be an apple tree, willow, pear, linden.
- Plantain.
- Dried fruits.
Squirrel Treats
Treats should be given in a minimal amount so as not to damage degu digestion. These can be berries of wild rose and hawthorn, chamomile and dry corn grains. Do not flatter yourself that the animals will gnaw at them with pleasure. In large numbers, they will only add to health problems. The chokeberry, hazelnut, pumpkin and sunflower seeds can also be included in this list.
But the easiest way to use ready-made approved food for degu. If the store did not have a specialized one, you can take a composition designed for chinchillas or guinea pigs. If they have such additives as raisins, dried apricots, dates, then they must be removed so as not to expose the pet to the danger of developing diabetes.
Experts recommend
Among the abundance of offers, there are several proven brands that have passed all the necessary research.
- Food for degu Versele Laga. This is one of the few manufacturers that produces truly high quality and safe feed. The composition of the product is transparent and clear, there is nothing superfluous in the package. One protein accounts for 30 g per day. Do not forget that, in addition to the factory staff, it is necessary to give the pet grass, hay, roots. This food is the basis, as it has the most interesting and diverse composition. Versele-laga Crispy pellets Chinchillas & Degus, Versele-laga Complete Chinchilla & Degu are optional.
- Food for degu Little One - a complete composition with the addition of vitamins and minerals. They are balanced according to degu needs. The diet is high in fiber, which is necessary for the proper digestion of animals. Consists of herbal granules, flattened grains, vegetables, alfalfa, apple and carob.
If your pet has health problems, it is recommended to consult a specialist so that he tells you how to feed degu.