Alfalfa hay is ok to give once in a while but not as an everyday hay due to its levels of proteins and calcium. Other alfalfa based products such as pellets and hay cubes don't pose the same problem so they are ok to give once or twice a week max. I use high quality timothy hay for my guys and also mix it with other dried grasses to give them variety and to also keep their teeth worn down as different grades of hay and grasses help the teeth so thats why it is important to source good quality hay.
Dandelions are also ok to give every once in a while. Mine prefer dried dandelions to fresh and they get a good pinch once a week. If using fresh they need to be clean and dried throughly before being given to your degu and also limit the amount you give them and introduce it slowly over a period of time. I also feed mine a variety of fresh veggies and herbs such as broccolli, sweet potato, carrot, peas, cauliflower, spring onions (scallions), peppers, green beans, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, radishes, brussel sprouts, cabbage (white and savoy), butternut squash, leek, mangetout, pumpkin,
courgette, sugar snap peas, parsley, basil, chives, corriander and mint. I also feed dried veggies aswell inbetween such as dried carrot, peas, leek and corn. I also very occasionally (usually once a month) give them a little apple, fresh or dried as a treat. As their bodies can handle a small amount of extra sugar occasionally as its only occasional so the body breaks it down fast.
Cereals are ok as a treat occasionally. I would check any cereal you give them for added sugar and avoid if it has any. I try to use 100% natural products with nothing added. Treats should only ever be treat as treats and given occasionally. I tend to vary my treats so they get something different every time and no two same things in the same week. Treats i use are: raisins, dried carrot, dried peas
dried corn, dried rose hips, a small cube of apple (occasionally once a month max), dried pasta, alfalfa biscuits, carrot biscuits, hay cubes, dandelions (fresh or dried), dried hawthorne leaves,
sunflower seeds,
pumpkin seeds, plain porridge oats, puffed rice (wheat’s), bran flakes, shredded wheat’s, wholemeal toasted bread, ryvita, melba toast and crackers. I also occasionally once every couple of months give them a whole nut in the shell to crack open as it wears the teeth down and gives them an interest for a few hours. Nuts that are suitable are Peanuts, Hazlenuts, Walnuts and Brazil Nuts. These should be given no more than once a month and limited to just a nut each
Caroline 
( Just two of my many alter egos )
my new job and my girls, Polly puss cat 
Chilla, our female
Casper.
I bought an out of cage fencing area for him this week. Set it up and he was running around like crazy. The only problem is, he tries to climb out. You would think they could make these things a bit taller. So I am on constant watch, if he got out there is no way I could catch him. Fast little guy
He won't let me pick him up so I would have to wait for him to find his way back to his cage. "And that could take days" I see you are from Ontario. Whereabouts?? Talk to you soon
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