There are a few basic rules for the selection of puppies:
- First of all, it’s a good idea to decide if you want two, two or a pair of octodons. If you get a pair you have to take into account that they will probably have babies.
- It’s better to buy an degu from a private breeder and look at the parents, check their health and “family background”. The breeder can also advise you on their breeding. But if there’s no one in your area who breeds degus, pet shops or pet centres are a viable alternative, but it’s still option number 2.
- Choose an active and apparently healthy octodon with a shiny coat close to the body, dark black eyes without any grey spots.
- The cub should be as young as possible to be easy to tame.
- When selecting, be clear about the sex of your chosen individual. Take into account that related degus are NOT allowed to mate with each other, i.e. even live together. If the breeder does not know the sex of the octodon, he is not a good breeder
Choosing the second degu
There are two main factors to consider when choosing a new dog – how old your original degu is and what sex he is.
The degu you want to pair with your older octodon should be about the same age, but in principle this doesn’t really matter. You shouldn’t buy another male to go with the male as they will probably never get along, so a female is better. Both sexes are better suited to a female, as two ladies will get along better.
How to do it?
- First you have to put the degu in a separate enclosure and tame it.
- It’s best to put the degus right next to each other, so they can get used to each other scent-wise and visually while they’re there. If you have already tamed the degu, you can start bonding with its future partner. If you do have a domesticated degu, he should not be scared when you take him and put him in the other kennel with the other degu. If they start fighting from the start and don’t even sniff each other. It’s better to change everything inside before you put them both in there, so that neither of them can tell they’re home. Or mix the water with some highly aromatic, NATURAL oil [!Careful – about 2 drops per litre!] and spray the whole room with a spray bottle.
- If they start sniffing around and they both soften up and start running around the terrarium, all is well. A fight usually ensues over who gets to lead – usually the older one wins, just don’t worry and let them sort it out, as long as there are no claws or blood it’s fine!
- If their fights aren’t over within a week it’s better to separate them and try something else. Normally after two or three days they will stop fighting and start snuggling together.