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Treats for Your Degu
As an animal lover, you will most likely want to hand feed your Degu regularly. Unfortunately, this isn't good for him. This doesn't mean that he should never have treats. It simply means that the treats must be the right treats, and even the right treats must be limited.
First and foremost, sugar or foods that contain sugar should never be given to your Degu – not even as a treat. His body is unable to process sugar, and this causes diabetes. This also means that you should not feed him any fruits, and that includes raisins.
Some experts agree, however, that the occasional bite of fruit is not bad for your Degu. It comes down to what you and your veterinarian decide, but if you do allow fruit, make sure that it is just one bite, every great once in a while.
Nuts and seeds seem to be the preferred choice for treats. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and just about any other nut or seed that you can come up with – except apple seeds, as they contain cyanide – are suitable. Some experts suggest that peanuts should be shelled first.
Only a few nuts should be given as a treat. Large quantities of nuts can be toxic to Degus. Furthermore, nuts and seeds have a high fat content, and if they are given to the Degu too often, he will quickly become overweight, followed by diabetes. It has also been found that too many nuts and seeds can cause liver problems because of the high fat content. The ideal amount is one nut or seed for each Degu, each week.
Crackers make excellent treats. Try the unsalted crackers. Hard crackers, such as Melba toast are excellent, because they are hard. Crackers have lots of fiber, and this is perfect for Degus. You could give your Degu a cracker each week.
Many cereals on the market are excellent treats for Degus. The important thing is to choose cereals that do not contain sugar, or too many preservatives. Natural oat and rice cereals are best. These treats are so safe that you can even mix a little in with the Degus daily food.
Again, remember that a treat means that you don't get it all of the time. Save treats for when your Degu has done something wonderful, or when you just want to show him a little extra love. Do not make treats a daily thing – or even something that occurs several times a week. Once a week for treats is enough – and you should be weighing your Degu monthly. If he has gained weight, you may need to cut out treats altogether for a while, and he will definitely need to see the veterinarian.
Degu information,Degu tips, Degu advice,pets,Degu pet
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