What makes a good degu cage?

Degus are incredibly active critters, they love to run, jump and climb and they need a cage that allows them the space to do this. Most cages I have seen as advertised as suitable for degus are not big enough or unsuitable in a number of other ways. The size of the cage will depend on the number of degus.

Degutopia has a simple calculator which gives you a rough idea of how many degus your cage could be suitable for, however this only calculates volume and as degus are very active it is necessary to work out the floor space in the cage, this is referred to as the Cumulative Available Running Area. Pet shops will often sell degus with cages that are too small for them, I know that a large chain in the UK does this.

Ensure that there are levels the full width of the cage (usually two or three) so the degus can’t fall too far. My guys are good at climbing up things but sometimes struggle to get back down; they also occasionally push each other off shelves if they’re trying to protect their food.

One of the most important aspects of your cage will be whether it has a solid floor. If a cage does not have a solid floor there is a high risk of injury as the degu may break a leg if they slip through a gap whilst running, it is also likely that degus will get bumblefoot, a painful foot infection. If you have a cage with wire mesh floors these can be covered with something such as wood, tiles or as a temporary measure, with cardboard.

If the cage is placed somewhere it is going to get a draft then the cage should be raised off the floor to avoid causing the degus illness. Some cages come with a stand, another option would be to place it on a cabinet.

The cage shouldn’t be placed next to a window or directly in the sun. My guys love sunbathing – any time there’s sun on the cage they will be lying there, spread out, enjoying it. However I ensure that there is no point at which the entire cage is in the sun, there will always be somewhere in the shade the degus can go to if they want.

Do all of your degus have vastly different personalities or do you find them to be pretty similar? I just got my first one a few months ago and she’s quite a curious/fearless little thing! Hates to be held but loves a lil headpat on her terms.

Hi, she sounds adorable ^-^ My guys have quite different personalities, some of them are much happier being held than others. When I first got Thomas and Tobias, Tobias didn’t want to be anywhere near my hands but was happy to sit on my shoulder, while Thomas would take food from my hands but took longer to gain the confidence to walk up my arm. Daniel and Sam are almost cuddly some days, but this depends on their mood. Most of my degus are happier being handled if I let them come to me, rather than if I try to pick them up.

Have you thought about getting her a friend? Degus are social creatures and tend to get lonely if kept on their own 🙂

Degus are weird. Tobias will happily sit on my shoulder to eat, but it has to be my left shoulder.

Thomas will sit on my head for attention.

Daniel will walk right past food to come see if I have any food.

Jack likes to run on the flying saucer wheel while he’s out for his run, but he doesn’t like the sound it makes if he’s running on it and there’s a bit of poop rolling round on the wheel, he takes short hesitant steps until I clear the poop, then he continues to run as normal.

Sam hoards plastic things: pegs, pens, brushes, easter eggs.

Scott sometimes gets spooked if I move too suddenly and hides under me … the thing that spooked him.