Housing

Degus can be kept in either cages or aquariums, but their are downsides to both. Aquariums do not offer enough air circulation or bars for the degus to climb, but cages are messy, as degus tend to kick their bedding out though the bars. A cage with high plastic walls below the bars works well, but ideally, a combination aquarium below/cage above is best. Whatever you keep them in there are a few key items that need to be provided.

A Wheel
Degus love to run in wheels, but the wheel must be quite large. Metal is best, as the degus can't chew through it.
Bars or Twigs
Bars or twigs spanning from one side of the cage to the opposite are great for climbing onto and perching on. A degu will often perch at the highest point of the cage, so a few different levels of bars is best.
Bedding
Woodchips with some hay makes great bedding, but cedar must never be used. Degus love to make nests, so small twigs or some paper napkins should be incuded. Shredding bedding is a great socil activity for them.
A Hiding Place
Degus need a place where they can curl up and sleep in peace, or just hide away fro awhile. For baby degus a toilet paper roll works just fine but for bigger ones a small cardboard box with a door cut into it is fine. Hanging hammocks work too, as long as they are closed in.

The only other thing they need is a regular dust bath. Degus can't get wet, so they clean themselves by rolling in volcanic ash to absorb oils, and then grooming themselves. Chinchilla dust works great for this. Dust baths are not only healthy for the degus, but fun. And it's really fun just watching them do this.

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