Degu?

[Sleepingbunnies]

does anyone have degu's? I have 2 guineas at the mo and have been thinking of getting degu's but wanted to hear from anyone that had them what you thought... I also have a 4 year old and a 20 month old, are they child friendly pets? Our pigs love DD1... she feeds them more treats than me

I personally wouldn't get one for a young child .

They are really really energetic buggers!

I have also heard that if they scratch then it can cause a reaction in some children - worth checking but i am sure its Degus!

They need a mahoosive cage too.

Maybe rats would be a quieter, easier to handle alternative? Meant to be excellent for kids!

I would suggest rats too over Degu. From what I know of Degu they can be bitey little monsters and if they bite it is quite hard! I wouldn't fancy it...

No experience (they are a bit like chinchillas aren't they?)
But anything that exotic would need a Specialist vet if they need care and a huge cage.
Are they cuddly or do they just run about madly?

I would imagine they are an adult pet rather than a childs.
There was a post a while back where someone inadvertantly inherited some that had been dumped in a shed at her workplace. Can't remember if she was able to keep them.

www.degutopia.co.uk/deguinfo.htm

We had them when the kids were 5 and 2, ours lived for 7 years. Didn't bite at all, except they would gently nibble your nail if you poked it through the cage.

They are great pets but you can't 'pet' them as such as they don't sit still, but they are very inquisitive and make cute chirpy noises.

Yes they need a huge cage.