Creating a stimulating and comfortable environment for your degu is essential to ensure their well-being and happiness. When selecting accessories for your degu's cage, it's important to consider their natural behaviors and enrichment needs. From bedding to toys, each accessory plays a crucial role in providing comfort, mental stimulation, and entertainment for your furry friend. In this guide, we will explore how to choose the best accessories for your degu's cage to promote their overall health and happiness.

Bedding Options

Bedding serves as the foundation of your degu's cage and plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and comfort. Opt for dust-free bedding materials such as aspen shavings, paper-based bedding, or fleece liners. Avoid using cedar or pine bedding, as they can be harmful to your degu's respiratory system. Ensure the bedding is at least a few inches deep to allow for burrowing and nesting behavior.

Hideouts and Shelter

Degus are naturally burrowing animals that enjoy having cozy hideouts and shelters in their cage. Provide multiple hideouts made of wood, ceramic, or PVC pipes where your degu can retreat to rest and feel secure. These hideouts also serve as essential enrichment items that mimic natural burrows in the wild. Ensure the hideouts are spacious enough for your degu to move comfortably inside.

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Chew Toys and Gnawing Blocks

Chew toys are vital accessories for degus, as they help satisfy their instinctual need to gnaw and keep their teeth healthy. Offer a variety of wooden chew toys, lava blocks, and mineral chews to prevent dental issues and provide mental stimulation. Rotate the chew toys regularly to keep your degu engaged and prevent boredom. Avoid plastic toys that can be ingested and cause harm to your pet.

Exercise Wheels and Toys

Degus are active creatures that require regular exercise to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. Invest in a solid-surface exercise wheel that is large enough for your degu to run comfortably. Additionally, provide a variety of toys such as tunnels, climbing structures, and foraging toys to encourage physical activity and play. Rotating the toys and introducing new ones periodically will prevent habituation and keep your degu entertained.

Food and Water Accessories

Ensure your degu has access to fresh water at all times by providing a sturdy water bottle or bowl that is securely attached to the cage. Choose a water bottle with a metal spout to prevent chewing damage. Offer a ceramic food dish for their daily diet of pellets, hay, fresh vegetables, and occasional treats. Place the food and water dishes in separate locations within the cage to prevent contamination.

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Nesting Materials

Degus love to create cozy nests for sleeping and resting. Provide soft nesting materials such as hay, shredded paper, or untreated tissues for your degu to build their nest. These materials not only offer comfort but also fulfill their natural nesting instincts. Monitor the nesting materials regularly and replace them when soiled to maintain hygiene in the cage.

Climbing Structures and Platforms

Adding climbing structures and platforms to your degu's cage provides opportunities for exercise and exploration. Wooden ladders, shelves, and hammocks can create a vertical dimension in the cage for your degu to climb and play. Ensure the structures are stable and securely attached to prevent accidents. These accessories promote physical activity and mental enrichment for your degu.

Conclusion

By selecting the best accessories for your degu's cage, you can create a stimulating and comfortable environment that enhances their physical and mental well-being. Consider their natural behaviors and instincts when choosing bedding, hideouts, chew toys, exercise equipment, food and water accessories, nesting materials, and climbing structures. Regularly assess and rotate the accessories to keep your degu engaged and happy in their living space. Providing a variety of accessories tailored to your degu's needs will ensure they lead a healthy and enriched life in captivity.

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