Hi everybody, I have just joined the forum and thought I would say hello, tell you about my boys and ask a couple of questions if thats ok.
I have two male Degus, Harry and Belial. I got them about 6 weeks ago when they were 7 weeks old. They are identical twins and almost impossible to tell apart by looking at them, although Belial is starting to get a lighter coat then Harry so it is getting easier!
They have different characteristics so I use that to tell them apart mostly.
I spend a lot of time with them and am slowly getting them more and more used to me, they still refuse to be picked up but they will sit on my hand and when they are let out they climb all over me - as long as I don't move too quick!
It was very funny to watch them when they were first allowed free roam of the room, them took each step very very slowly, now they run round like mad! Belial in particular seems to want to get as high up as possible and can often be found trying to climb a bookcase.
They love to climb around inside my clothes, if I wear a dressing gown and lift the sleeve up to the cage door they will both climb in and happily snuggle up inside. As they won't let me hold them I have to use this method or put a tube up to the cage to let them out.
Now a few questions if you don't mind.
1. After I had had the boys for a couple of weeks I started to get a runny nose and very very itchy eyes, something about them is causing an allergic reaction in me, I am hoping it is the sawdust in the bedding that lines the bottom of the cage. I was wondering what alternatives people could suggest that contain less dust?
2. Reading through comments everyone seems to say how much Degus love to run in a wheel, mine have NEVER set foot on there wheel, much less used it. Is there any reason they may not like it? or do they just not know what it is for?
3. Is it safe to give them toilet roll tubes, cardboard or paper to chew up? they like piling up carboard tubes but I have so far been taking them away when they are left alone.
4. At the moment they are in my spare room, with the door open I can see and talk to them from the hallway so they get plenty of attention, however I am thinking of moving them into the living room (once I degu proof any wires!) will they be ok with noises like the TV and stereo or do they prefer a bit of peice and quiet after they have been out to nap?
I think thats it, hopefully you lot will know the answers!
Many thanks