Can degus eat hay?
Yes, degus can eat hay – it’s their main food. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS) calls hay the staple food for degus. It says hay must always be fresh, good quality and freely available. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) counts good hay among the basic foods that must always be available. The RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen and the Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz, which recommends good herb hay) all name hay as the main food. Woodgreen lists meadow hay, alfalfa and orchard grass as varieties, plus small amounts of timothy hay.
How to serve it: always available, fresh and good quality (STS)
Good to know: The TVT adds that dry food alone isn’t enough to keep the teeth properly worn down – degus need fresh greens too.
Sources
- Schweizer Tierschutz STS – Merkblatt Heimtiere: Gewöhnlicher Degu (2019)
- TVT Merkblatt Nr. 154: Heimtiere – Degus (2023)
- Zürcher Tierschutz (Zurich animal welfare society) – Degus: Haltung
- RSPCA – What to feed a pet degu
- PDSA – Degus as pets
- Blue Cross – Degu care and wellbeing advice
- Woodgreen Pets Charity – Degus: your day-to-day guide
Last checked: November 2026