What can degus eat?

None of our degu sources names a specific food as toxic to degus, so there’s no “Toxic” page here. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) does warn that feeding mistakes can quickly be fatal and that pure grain mixes can cause life-threatening digestive problems. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) says sugary food products such as many rodent drops and treat sticks are a serious health risk, and Woodgreen warns that swallowed cardboard can block the digestive tract. That’s why grains, treat sticks and cardboard are rated “Better not.” The RSPCA says to avoid any wood that may be toxic, such as cedar. The STS says toxic houseplants must be moved out of the way before degus run free in a room, and the TVT adds that salt and mineral licks don’t belong in a degu cage. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) says a degu that is visibly ill or not eating must be seen by a vet without delay. PDSA adds that you should contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice anything unusual.

Hay – always available, fresh and good quality. Every degu source agrees: the Swiss animal welfare society (STS), Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), the Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz, which recommends good herb hay), the RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross and Woodgreen. The TVT adds that dry food alone isn’t enough to keep teeth properly worn down; in summer, degus should get fresh greens, herbs, flowers and grasses every day.

The sources disagree here. PDSA, Blue Cross and Woodgreen recommend degu pellets (nuggets) every day – 1 to 2 tablespoons according to PDSA, 1 tablespoon according to Blue Cross, and 1 to 2 tablespoons for one or two degus according to Woodgreen – and the RSPCA also suggests a small, measured portion of pellets every day. If you can’t get degu pellets, the RSPCA and PDSA say guinea pig or chinchilla pellets without molasses will do. Germany’s TVT, on the other hand, calls pellets unsuitable and recommends seeds every day, 1 teaspoon per degu, and warns that pure grain mixes can cause life-threatening digestive problems. The Swiss STS suggests no more than 1 tablespoon of seed mix per degu per day on top of hay, free of dried fruit, molasses, nuts and sunflower seeds, and the Zürcher Tierschutz lists pellets among foods degus should never have. The TVT and the Zürcher Tierschutz mean pellets in general, degu pellets included – that’s why chinchilla and guinea pig food is rated “Better not” here, despite the RSPCA and PDSA. All sources agree that hay matters most. PDSA and the RSPCA say rabbit, hamster and gerbil food isn’t suitable. Every amount is a starting point.

The sources differ here too. PDSA suggests a small portion of leafy greens and vegetables once or twice a week, no more; the Swiss STS 2 to 3 times a week in small pieces; and the RSPCA a small, measured portion of leafy greens every day. Germany’s TVT and the Zürcher Tierschutz include fresh grasses and wild herbs every day, and in winter the TVT relies mainly on washed leafy lettuces. PDSA says to wash vegetables first and vary them. Introduce new foods slowly (PDSA, RSPCA) – the TVT says any change of diet must always be gradual so the gut flora can adjust.

The Swiss STS says nuts, millet spray, sunflower seeds or dried peas make good treats – but only occasionally and in small amounts. Germany’s TVT suggests feeding fatty seeds one at a time by hand, which helps your degu learn to trust you. Woodgreen names apple, pear or willow twigs, rose wood and dried herbs as healthy treats, and Blue Cross prefers hay-based treats. The STS says rodent drops, treat sticks and other sugary products don’t belong in a degu’s diet. Hiding or scattering food keeps degus busy foraging (STS, PDSA, Blue Cross).

Better not. Germany’s TVT says degus should not be given fruit at all. The Swiss STS says fruit contains a lot of sugar and should not be fed, and the Zürcher Tierschutz lists fruit and sugary snacks among foods degus should never have. The RSPCA says many fruits can be high in sugar, so don’t give them to your degus. PDSA advises avoiding sugary foods, though it considers an occasional bit of apple okay. Woodgreen warns that it’s easy to overfeed sugary treats, which leads to health problems. The RSPCA adds that some vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, beets and parsnips, can be high in sugar too and should only be given in very small pieces as an occasional treat.

Degus always need access to fresh water – according to the Swiss STS, even when they get fresh greens – and the Zürcher Tierschutz lists water among things that should always be available. The STS recommends a nipple drinker mounted outside the enclosure, and the RSPCA a drinking bottle that you check for leaks or blockages every day. PDSA says to refresh the water daily.

The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) says a degu that is visibly ill or not eating must be seen by a vet without delay. PDSA adds that you should contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice anything unusual. Germany’s TVT says degus that seem unwell should be seen without delay by a vet experienced with rodents. PDSA also says to keep an eye on how your degu eats and drinks and to contact your vet if anything changes.

Then we rate it more cautiously and say so. The Zürcher Tierschutz lists fresh grass, dandelion and carrot tops for every day or several times a week, and the TVT relies mainly on leafy lettuces and chicory in winter; PDSA, however, lists grass, dandelion, carrot tops and lettuce only in very small amounts because they can cause bloating, and the Zürcher Tierschutz lists chicory only for occasional feeding – we rate them all “Only a little.” PDSA lists cabbage, broccoli and some onion-family plants for once or twice a week, some only in very small amounts, while the Zürcher Tierschutz says degus should never have cabbage or plants from the onion family. PDSA allows an occasional bit of apple, rose hips and sweet corn, but the TVT, the STS and the Zürcher Tierschutz rule out fruit, and the Zürcher Tierschutz also rules out grains. The RSPCA and PDSA name guinea pig or chinchilla pellets without molasses as a substitute for degu pellets, while the TVT calls pellets unsuitable and the Zürcher Tierschutz lists them among foods degus should never have. Blue Cross says many chinchilla treats, ideally hay-based, are fine for degus too, while the other sources advise against treat sticks. That’s why cabbage, broccoli, onions, apples, rose hips, corn, chinchilla food and treat sticks are rated “Better not.”