sillydegu:

Handling degus

I received an ask about handling degus, I’m still quite new to tumblr and not sure on messaging etiquette and when someone would expect me to reply publicly or privately; I replied privately and then the message disappeared? Once I sent the message I thought that maybe other people would have found it useful and I’d like it if people were to generally ask me questions about degus (whether they have their own or they’re just curious about the little critters).

So, my advice on/experience with handling degus:

Degus in a new home will take some time to get used to you and their new environment. The sort of home did they came from will make a big difference in how long it takes them to trust someone new. The big guys came from a better home than the little guys and it showed in how long it took the little guys to trust me.

If you’re struggling to get your degus out of the cage you could try tube training them – teaching them that going through a tube gets them a reward.

The big guys don’t like hands much and it’s easier to get them to decide to do what I want them to. I’ve trained them that if I click my fingers and they come to me/jump on my shoulders they’ll get a treat; and if I stand by their cage and click my fingers they’ll run in to the cage because they know I’m about to sprinkle their seeds. It’s much easier to get them to decide they want to go away themselves than it is trying to catch them to put them away!

If the degus are getting spooked easily obviously try to avoid any loud or sudden movements; my guys get more spooked while they’re out if someone is standing in their room than if they’re sitting. They don’t get spooked by nearly as many things when they’re in their cage. They also tend to get spooked if someone is looking at them and yawns without covering their mouth.

If you need treats for training degus I would recommend puffed rice, in the UK this is sold as a cereal and is available in the free from section in supermarkets.

The little guys all have different ways in which they like to be picked up, but I would generally recommend scooping them up and not picking them up from above.  One likes to be scooped up from the front, another needs to be scooped up from the sides with two hands simultaneously because he’s a wriggly little thing that doesn’t want to be picked up. The big guys don’t like being picked up and it’s better to let them climb on to my arm.

If degus are used to being handled from a young age it will be easier to get them used to being handled by someone new later on.

If anyone has any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.