I bought a fish tank from Pets at Home and they keep sending me reminders to check the water quality. Thanks but I actually bought it for my degus to dig in?
I have video of Sam digging in the tank. It contains a mix of soil and sand with two cardboard tubes which are partially buried. Yes, the tank is from Pets at Home, it’s the 28 litre one. Originally the tank was in the cage but after initial interest the degus didn’t pay much attention to it and I was finding it difficult to lift out of the cage every time I was cleaning out the cage. Even with proper places to hide food my guys still “bury” things on the floor!
I started by leading them round in a circle by having them follow a treat I was holding, once they get used to the fact that doing this gets them a reward they’ll improve and do it with whatever prompt you’ve taught them, maybe holding your hand above them just out of reach, or a verbal command. Sometimes they’ll even do it unprompted in the hopes of getting a treat, the more they’re rewarded the more they’ll do it. Some of my degus have been a bit slower than others to pick it up.
A clever pup who knows how to get more food
It’s a bit of good news/bad news situation. The results came back today for the lump Jack had removed last Friday. It was cancer. We’re cautiously optimistic that it’s all been removed, it was a locally aggressive type which had a low risk of spreading. There is a chance that it could come back, this is less likely as it was grade 1. The surgery site is healing well. He has been given a prognosis of fair.
Staying cuddled up in the hammock is a good idea in this weather
Silly Degu 