Woo Hoo! New Tanks :) - Page 2 - Paw Talk

andreaS15 · #16 11-25-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethystbelle


	Do you mean these teeth

LOL.... yup.
They are still adorable!

I met my first Degu about 6 years ago, when an old boyfriends sister came home with one. She new little about them and housed it in a small rat cage alone

But I fell in love with little Guseppi. I thought she was more like a little doggy, instead of running in her wheel she would play with it like a big toy. And they got her one of those HUGE hamster balls, and she lovedto run around in that. If they would let her run free they were never able to catch her again.
I know she endes up getting guseppi a friend later on, and i know both have died since. So I'm guessing she did not feed them a proper diet. They probably would have been MAYBE 4 years old.

I probably will own one one day. I'm just a little frightened of the diet needs,and i'd hate to not give them the perfect life. It takes me a long time to decide to get a 'new' pet. I've had gerbils so many years I feel i pretty much know them inside and out. So keeping them is easy for me now.
If the small animal rescue society get's back to me, maybe I'll be able to foster some for a time. That would really help me know ether these pets are for me or not.

DeguCrazy · #17 11-25-2005, 06:16 PM

Amethystbelle, how funny! How did you get him to smile for the camera instead of making a run for it!
As for the tanks, I haul up to 29g longs to the bathtub on a weekly basis to bleach and soap clean. I usually begin with the largest first so that my back isn't to upset by the time I clean a 10g. I have the opportunity to aquire a free 55g but I assure you that it will never be hauled to the bathtub, nope, your'e not gonna make me.

If there is no offense from anyone here toward snakes, a 55g is perfect! They pee/poop like a bird and all you have to do is scoop it out with a spoon.

Amethystbelle · #18 11-26-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreaS15


	LOL.... yup. They are still adorable! I met my first Degu about 6 years ago, when an old boyfriends sister came home with one. She new little about them and housed it in a small rat cage alone But I fell in love with little Guseppi. I thought she was more like a little doggy, instead of running in her wheel she would play with it like a big toy. And they got her one of those HUGE hamster balls, and she lovedto run around in that. If they would let her run free they were never able to catch her again. I know she endes up getting guseppi a friend later on, and i know both have died since. So I'm guessing she did not feed them a proper diet. They probably would have been MAYBE 4 years old. I probably will own one one day. I'm just a little frightened of the diet needs,and i'd hate to not give them the perfect life. It takes me a long time to decide to get a 'new' pet. I've had gerbils so many years I feel i pretty much know them inside and out. So keeping them is easy for me now. If the small animal rescue society get's back to me, maybe I'll be able to foster some for a time. That would really help me know ether these pets are for me or not.

The diets not to hard to handle especially not now there are ready mixed Degu foods available on the market. The best diet is a mix of guinea pig pellets and a mix of Gertie guinea pig or something simular. Its a case of looking for food with low sugar as they cannot tolerate too much sugar. Apart from that its just a case of making sure you don't give them to many treats and basically sticking to a frugal diet. They do make fantastic pets and once you get one you won't ever look back. I'm like you i take a long time to make my mind up before getting a new animal as i want to give them the best life possible, i've been looking into getting a chinchilla for a few years and haven't taken the step yet to actually owning one

The Degu's life span varies depending on quality of diet and also to the quality of the stock as a lot of inbreeding has taken place with Degu's in the past and as we all know inbreeding causes problems

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeguCrazy


	Amethystbelle, how funny! How did you get him to smile for the camera instead of making a run for it!

It was one of those lucky shots, right time and right place

They all love their photos being taken and i have them all hand tame so they don't tend to run for it

stickybuns · #19 11-26-2005, 10:54 PM

What is the Dif. between a degu and a rat? I have no knowledge on either so forgive me if this is a very ignorant question. Please Learn me about rodants.
Sticky

Padfoot · #20 11-26-2005, 11:15 PM

Degu:
http://www.csh.rit.edu/~riffraff/skye/degu.jpg
Note the furry tail. Similar to gerbils, but bigger, and related to chinchillas (am I right there? I'm not sure now).

Rat:
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~allanr/rat.jpeg
Note the hairless tail.

Rats have been domesticated for longer than degus. Degus come in just agouti colors, there have been no color mutations, while rats come in a very big variety of colors and coat types.

stickybuns · #21 11-26-2005, 11:21 PM

What are the riqurments for feed and cage space? Ok it just dawned on to go to the degu section so after this I will do that.
Sticky

andreaS15 · #22 11-27-2005, 08:14 PM

Thanks Amethystbelle.

I'm such a whimp LOL.... I've wanted a Degu since my friend had come home with little Guseppi.
Truth is I really want a pet that will replace the affection of a cat.
I've looked into Rabbits and Guinea pigs a bit.
See I'm highly allergic to cats, but i love to cuddle and pet them, and I want my next pet to be like that - cuddley and affectionet.
It's just that i think Degus are more like Gerbils, they want to play and explore not be affectionet, am I wrong?

Amethystbelle · #23 11-28-2005, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreaS15


	Thanks Amethystbelle. I'm such a whimp LOL.... I've wanted a Degu since my friend had come home with little Guseppi. Truth is I really want a pet that will replace the affection of a cat. I've looked into Rabbits and Guinea pigs a bit. See I'm highly allergic to cats, but i love to cuddle and pet them, and I want my next pet to be like that - cuddley and affectionet. It's just that i think Degus are more like Gerbils, they want to play and explore not be affectionet, am I wrong?

Degu’s aren’t cuddly like your average dog or cat but then again my cats not very cuddly either

If you want a cuddly pet then a guinea pig or rabbit will happily sit for hours cuddled up on your knee and they love affection and love although as always there are exceptions to the rule. My piggies love nothing more then to come out and sit on my knee for a while

But with Degu’s you get a bit of both, they love affection and to be gotten out and loved but they also love to run around and explore. One of my first Degu’s used to like to come out and he would make himself comfy in my pocket or if I was wearing a hooded top in that and fall fast asleep. Personally I think they are a lot cuddlier than most small animals and they are so affectionate, they will shower you with as much affection as you give them and more. Nothing beats a Degu kiss when your down

Unlike most other small creatures they tend once they get to know you and trust you to see you as another Degu and part of the pack and they love you to groom them (tickle them under the chin and arm) and they groom you back in return. There is never a dull moment with a Degu in your home thats for sure

It’s all down to what you want in a pet at the end of the day? I think we all have our preferences, it’s just a case of finding the right pet for you as every animal is different. Goodluck with whatever you decide to get

stickybuns · #24 12-02-2005, 12:48 AM

Did it take long for you to get your piggies to cuddle. I always thought they were skiddish and love to hide. But then agian the one I had was always loving and wanted to be friendly but that was at least 19 years ago.

Zouave · #25 12-03-2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickybuns


	Did it take long for you to get your piggies to cuddle. I always thought they were skiddish and love to hide. But then agian the one I had was always loving and wanted to be friendly but that was at least 19 years ago.

GPs are skittish if you reach down for them, but once picked up they calm down somewhat, depending on individual personalities.

Three months ago almost to the day I rescued a pregnant GP (I knew she was pregnant). The two babies appeared on Labor Day, and was I surprised - one hour they were not there; several hours later two dried, fully furred, and lovely little Abbysinian GPs, eyes opened, were looking back at me - Sam and Lesley, both males.

I let them climb on me daily, and tonight they ended up hiding in my sleeves. They always relax me.

Amethystbelle · #26 12-05-2005, 08:37 AM

Guinea pigs vary depending upon personality. Both my boys were a rescue 6 years ago and they are father and son, the father was fully adult and the son was still a baby at 5 months of age. The father warmed to me a lot quicker than the baby and he is the most cuddly loving piggy i know, the son is still a little skittish sometimes but he still loves his cuddles

I think if you put the time and effort in with them then you get the result of their love and affection as with any animal