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Why Degus Must Chew
Degus chew virtually everything that they come into contact with. Degus chew so much that they even chew their own nails, making the need for nail clipping almost non-existent. Why does your Degu chew so much, and is there anyway that you can break him from this habit?
Degus chew because they must, and no, this is not a habit that you can or should break. You see, Degus have teeth that continuously grow. These teeth are their incisors and molars. When they chew, they are essentially keeping their teeth ground down to an acceptable size – for them.
If they cannot chew or grind, they risk having their teeth become so large that they are unable to eat. In some cases, the teeth will actually grow right into the jaw, which as you can imagine can be quite painful. As you can see, chewing is not only a habit, it is a necessity, and it isn't something that you can take away from a Degu.
What you must do instead is first provide housing that the Degus cannot chew through. Plastic and wood housing are not suitable. Metal and glass must be used instead. Some people provide wood shelving for their Degus, but if you do this you should be prepared to replace those wooden shelves often. The same holds true for any toys that are made of wood. Plastic should not be used anywhere, as it can be toxic.
You must also note that not all woods are safe for Degus. Many woods are toxic. Apple and hazel wood are preferred for Degus, and they will happily gnaw them to bits. You should use branches of these woods, blocks of these woods, and small sticks of these woods liberally.
You can also purchase calcium blocks at most pet stores. These should be constantly provided to your Degus, as they are not only great for chewing, but they also provide your Degu with calcium, iron, and phosphor, which are necessary for good health. Parrot chew toys are excellent for Degus.
Realize that anything that your Degu chews or gnaws may also be ingested. Therefore, everything must be safe for the Degu. Do not use anything that is not organic or non-toxic. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean anything that your Degu may gnaw on, and this includes the cage itself.
If you notice that one or more of your Degus are not eating properly, this could be an indication that their teeth have become too long. If this is the case, you will need to seek the services of a veterinarian, and dental work may actually be required. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that your Degu constantly has a source of wood for the purpose of chewing.
Degu information,Degu tips, Degu advice,pets,Degu pet
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