Degu
Prone to diabetes — strictly no sugar/fruit; needs companions
Overview
The Degu (Octodon degus) is a small pet, around ~6 in (+ tail), living 6–9 years. It is diurnal — most active during the day. Socially it is social (needs a group).
Is the Degu right for you?
A good match if — you want a pet active during your day; you can house a small group for company.
Think twice if — you can only keep a single animal — this species needs company; you want a simple, hands-off first pet.
What a Degu needs from you
Day to day it needs a suitable enclosure with a good amount of room, the right diet, daily care and moderate day-to-day upkeep. Crucially, it must be kept with its own kind — keeping a single animal alone is stressful and unfair.
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Octodon degus
- Size
- ~6 in (+ tail)
- Life span
- 6–9 years
- Social needs
- social (needs a group)
- Activity
- diurnal
- Care level
- intermediate
- Notes
- Prone to diabetes — strictly no sugar/fruit; needs companions
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 180 g and a ~8-year life, keeping a Degu works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →