If you are looking at the pets available to buy in any large pet shop, you may have spotted degus for sale. These small rodents, which are larger than hamsters but not as big as rabbits, like to live in open wire cages which have a lot of ramps and levels for added interest. The floor of the cage, however, should be solid as this is where these animals like to dig and burrow, helping to keep their claws in tip top condition. Peat, wood shavings and bark chippings are all suitable materials to place on the floor of the cage.

You can feed degus on a mixture of chinchilla and guinea pig pellets as well as a selection of leafy vegetables, dandelion leaves and sweet potato. You must make sure there is always hay in the cage as well as fresh water which should be changed every day.
Like all rodents, degus need things to nibble on to help keep their teeth in good condition, so it is a good idea to place a small branch from an apple tree or an oak tree in their cage. In the corner of the cage have a little sand box where your degus can give themselves a sand bath. You could also place other items in their cage for exercise and entertainment like an exercise wheel, clay piping, corn toys and jingly bells.