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Dust Baths for Degus
For humans, the words ‘dust' and ‘bath' seldom go together. When we think of dust, we think of dirt, and that may give us cause to think of a bath, in order to remove the dirt. However, for a Degu, a dust bath is essential to good health and well being.
That's right – Degus don't bath in water. They bath in dust. This is a part of their natural grooming habits. A dust bath helps to remove excess oils, and this keeps the Degus skin healthy. It also removes dirt and debris from the Degu, which is slightly ironic.
A dust bath requires two elements. These include a dish for the dust, and of course the dust. You can purchase the dust that is commercially prepared for Chinchillas at your local pet shop. There are special containers that can be purchased for the dish, but you can use any dish that is large enough for your Degu to get in and roll around in, just make sure that the sides are low enough for the Degu to climb in and out of. Fill the dish with about one to two inches of the Chinchilla dust.
You can provide a dust bath two to three times a week, for thirty minutes to an hour each time, or you can opt to leave the dust bath in the cage with the Degus all of the time. The drawback of leaving the dust bath in the cage all of the time is that many Degus will use it as a toilet, and you will spend a great deal of time cleaning it out, sifting the dust…or replacing the dust.
You should also note that even if your Degus don't use the dust bath as a toilet, they are very likely to scatter the dust all over their cage. Most people do not leave the dust bath in the cage. There are some experts that believe that this is even dangerous, as it can lead to respiratory problems, but these claims have not been proven.
If you have more than one Degu, make sure that the dust bath is big enough for all of them to get in at the same time. Degus seldom like to wait for a turn. They will all try to pile into the dust bath together and roll around.
Make sure that while your Degus are bathing in the dust that you clean and refill their water bottle. Degus seems to have more thirst after a dust bath, which makes sense, and water must be provided. If you have more than one Degu, make sure that you have more than one water bottle.
Remember that the Degu dust bath is not optional. This isn't just something that your Degu will enjoy. This is essential to his good health and well being, and without it, he will be one very unhappy, itchy Degu.
Degu information,Degu tips, Degu advice,pets,Degu pet
Next Article: Does Your Degu Need Grooming
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