Can degus eat fruit?

Better not: degus shouldn’t eat fruit. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) says degus should not be given fruit at all. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) says fruit contains a lot of sugar and should not be fed, and the Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) lists fruit 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 such as fruit, though it considers an occasional bit of apple okay (see apples). Woodgreen counts fruit among the sugary treats that make an unsuitable diet. The degu sources don’t name bananas, berries, grapes or melon individually – they’re all fruit.

Good to know: The Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) lists fresh wild herbs such as ribwort plantain, daisies and clover for every day, but PDSA suggests fresh greens only once or twice a week, and the Swiss animal welfare society (STS) 2 to 3 times a week.