Can degus eat chinchilla food?

Better not: degus shouldn’t eat chinchilla food. Germany’s TVT calls pellets unsuitable, while the RSPCA and PDSA accept molasses-free ones as a backup. If you can’t find degu pellets, the RSPCA and PDSA say you can use molasses-free guinea pig or chinchilla pellets, and Blue Cross also calls chinchilla pellets suitable. The RSPCA says chinchilla mixes with dried fruit aren’t suitable, though. The Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) lists pellets and other kibble among foods degus should never have. The TVT and the Zürcher Tierschutz mean pellets in general, degu pellets included, while PDSA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen and the RSPCA suggest pellets every day, so we err on the side of caution.

Good to know: PDSA points out that molasses is high in sugar, so check the label.