Emma Jones
The interior design of an enclosure ensures that the sterile cage becomes a species-appropriate habitat. Therefore, the utmost care must be taken when selecting accessories. How to properly set up the degu enclosure.
Before your degus move in with you, you should prepare and fully set up the enclosure.
Floors in the degu enclosure
Equip the degu enclosure with multiple levels. Firstly, you increase the usable area, and secondly, degus love to climb and stay at an elevated vantage point. The floors should always be attached in such a way that larger falls are avoided. To do this, it is best to stagger the floors.
The viewing terrace from Kerbl* or the platform from Trixie* are suitable as floors, for example. Different levels can be connected with ladders and stairs like the Petgard rodent stairs
Shelter for degus
Even if degus create caves with appropriate bedding, you should offer them shelter. Small houses made of ceramic or wood are recommended, although the wooden houses have to be replaced regularly. Plastic rodent houses do not belong in a degu cage. Ceramic houses should not be glazed, as glazed ceramics do not breathe, so condensation can quickly form in the house. For this reason, bottomless houses are also preferable.
The Natural Living House by Trixie* offers degus two exits and a flat roof that can also be used as a lying area. The rodent house Nature by Kerbl* can be attached to the grid and offers degus a nice retreat. And the two-story Hopps rodent house by Dehner* offers the rodents climbing opportunities as well as shelter.
Food and water bowl for degus
Food and water bowls should not be missing in the degu enclosure. Offer your degus two food bowls, one for dry food and one for fresh food. The bowls should be stable and not made of plastic. You should also have a slightly higher edge so that dirt and litter do not get into the food so easily. The JK* ceramic bowl, for example, is available in different sizes. It has a high edge and is also dishwasher safe. And the double bowl for rodents from Kerbl* offers two compartments for fresh and dry food.
So that the water doesn’t get dirty so quickly, a bottle like the Trixie small animal waterer*, which can be attached to the enclosure, is ideal.
Both food and water containers must be emptied and cleaned daily.