Can degus eat parsnips?
Yes, but only a little: degus can eat parsnips. The Zurich animal welfare society (Zürcher Tierschutz) lists parsnips among foods for occasional feeding. The RSPCA says parsnips can be high in sugar, so they should only be given in very small pieces as an occasional treat, and PDSA lists them for only once a month because of the sugar.
How to serve it: a very small piece, rarely (RSPCA, PDSA)
Sources
- Zürcher Tierschutz (Zurich animal welfare society) – Degus: Haltung
- RSPCA – What to feed a pet degu
- PDSA – Safe veg for degus (infographic on “Degus as pets”)
Last checked: November 2026