Ouchie -

[Rhapsody]

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!


My sweeeeeeeet little new boys are starting to bite us now and they are drawing blood....... why is that?

They were so nice and tender three weeks ago when we got them to keep Larry company (Larry bites to, but he was not held much of his 2 yeat life) so I can understand from his side of the fence, but theirs? ? ? ? ?

[Sasami]

When do they bite? When you try to pick them up?

[Rhapsody]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sasami When do they bite? When you try to pick them up?

No.............. after we have them in our hand.


NOW - Larry has bitten me once (real good) when I tried to pick him up, but like I said I can understand why he does - but not why my little guys do.

[Sasami]

Do you wash your hands first? I've noticed that degus can be nippy if they smell food or other animals. In fact, I had one degu bite a friend because her hands smelled like chocolate.

Also, when you are holding them do you restrain them or let them go wherever they want? Degus don't like feeling restrained and will bite sometimes if they get frustrated that you aren't letting them go somewhere. With my degus I just let them climb on me rather then hold them. And if they want to get down I let them.

[Rhapsody]

Well, I wash my hands before I hold them (for i have SG as well), but I cannot say the same thing for my 17 year old son...... i will mention it to him (but again) for he was the one that got bitten the other night.


And - you are probably right about them wanting to go where they want when they want - for I think it was Fivay that bit my son and Fivay usually does not like to leave the cage, for he does not like to leave Larry's side.

[MañasMom]

Really GREAT advice there! My little girl will nibble my fingers if they smell (or taste) like food. I have to really watch that.

Other than that, I think it's good to continue to get them out as much as possible. Several times a day even, if you can. With time, they will get used to being picked up and handled.

It's also important to make sure they enjoy the time they spend outside their cage with you. So maybe hand feed them a treat while they're out with you, or have some special toys they only play with when they're out with you.

Another thing that helps is to not keep them out too long while you're acclimating them. Just quick, get them out, give a kiss and a treat, and put them back.

And maybe, if those two don't like being separated, get them both out together, at the same time. That might calm their nerves a bit too, and help them relax a little more while they're out.

If you do that several times a day, they'll eventually get used to it, and will come to really look forward to being out.

[Rhapsody]

Thanks (every one) for all the good advice....... I will cont' to work on them.

[Rhapsody]

Ouchie!

The bite I got from Larry about 2 weeks ago has become infected.... I have been lancing it to remove the puss and then cleaning it real good - then I place Max. Neosporin antibiotics on it.


I hope it does not require a doctor visit on my part.

* * * * * * *

Has this happened to any one else with their Degu?

[MañasMom]

Ouch!! Yikes, that's a bad bite.

No, that has never happened to me. My little girl will get carried away with her grooming sometimes, but she's never bitten hard enough to break the skin.

That must really hurt!!!

[Rhapsody]

Quote: Originally Posted by MañasMom Ouch!! Yikes, that's a bad bite. That must really hurt!!!

YES..... it hurt so bad that I wanted to cry for a second, but did not, for I had several kids around and I did not want to scare them - nor make them be afraid of Degu's for the rest of their life.

.... I felt the sting of that bite for about 20 minutes -

[Amethystbelle]

Degu bites hurt more then any other rodent i have found as they tend to bite hard and deep when they do. I've only really been bitten hard once and it was by a rescue who was unwell and boy did it hurt