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Families with children · Small pet

Teach gentle hands and handwashing

Degus can give children a wonderful chance to observe patience and social behaviour, but they do not belong in a chase-and-grab game. Adults need to teach quiet waiting, gentle hands and handwashing, while taking responsibility for cage cleaning and the social group. Tail safety is a rule from the first interaction.

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Rules vary by location; check local requirements and your housing rules before acquiring this animal.

Let children watch before they touch

Degus groom, rest and use space together. Let children watch those small group moments before asking for contact. A quiet observer often gets a more natural interaction than a child trying to hold every animal.[1]

A child can wait while a degu approaches and an adult supports the body. Iowa State notes that degus may bite when threatened or uncomfortable, so slow hands serve both the child and the animal.[2]

A tail is never a handle

A degu's tail can be badly injured by pulling. Iowa State says never to pick up or pull a degu by the tail, because the tail will not grow back after it comes off.[2]

Use a simple rule: let the degu step onto an open hand, then support its body with both hands. A child who learns to slow down gives the animal a reason to approach again.[2][1]

Finish every visit with handwashing

Wash hands after touching degus, cage doors, bedding, food or water equipment, and before meals or face touching. CDC notes that small pets and their environments can carry germs that make people ill.[3]

Children can help carry paper, observe and offer prepared food. Adults are better placed to manage waste, assess health changes and decide how the group should live together.[3][1]

An adult and child watch two degus from outside a closed tall wire cage while the adult gestures to keep a little distance.

Watching through the cage and naming what the degus do lets a child take part without making handling the centre of the activity.[2][1]

A fit for families who practise patience together

Degus can teach children how to wait for an animal to come closer. Adults keep tail safety, hygiene and group care consistent, and the relationship becomes much more rewarding.[2][3]

Let children handle gentleness; let adults handle care

Start with looking, waiting and washing hands. The cage, group relationships and health decisions stay with adults, which gives a family degu home a calmer rhythm.[1][3]

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Common questions

Can a child hold a degu by the tail to stop it running away?

No. A degu's tail is easily injured. Let the animal step onto a hand and support the body with both hands instead.[2]

Sources

Sources used in this article

  1. [3]Stay healthy around small petsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
  2. [2]Caring for your DeguIowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
  3. [1]Keeping Degus TogetherRSPCA

Keep reading

Beginner guideLearn the gentle handling order →Quiet and cleanPlan hay and bedding care →Start your matchChoose around family life →