Hi everyone
I have 2 female degus (Itsy and Bitsy) born 1st june and I have had them for 1 month.
Everything seemed to be going well, they eat, drink, play and sleep together without any problems. No fighting.
Bitsy was and is slightly bigger than Itsy, it was clear from the start that although Itsy is always the 1st to explore any changes to the cage, it is Bitsy who seems to be the quiet dominant one of the pair.
Two days ago Itsy (the smaller) started regular squeaking, Bitsy was having her afternonn siesta, so I was concerned that there was something wrong with Itsy (bellyache or pain of some sort) she kept running up and down the different levels and every time she got to Bitsy, she bounced on her (a bit like tigger from Winnie the Pooh) Bitsy just kept going back to sleep. This went on for about 2 hours, and finally stopped after Bitsy was once more up and about.
Yesterday exactly the same thing happened. I was getting concerned that Itsys ill.
My 16 year old daughter, pointed out that Itsy is eating, drinking, playing and sleeping well (not so many naps as Bitsy though). She thinks that Itsy is just bored and trying to get attention. Is this possible?
*Is Itsy just throwing a tantrum.
If we take her out for a play shes stops squeaking, but that time of the day is really not good for us to have the degus out, and although Bitsy does want to come out if Itsy going to, if not disturbed she sleeps at that time for an hour or two.
*Is there a comparison age degus with humans ie: at what age are babies, children, teenagers, adults? Or is there no comparison?
*Can anyone suggest what is going on and how best to deal with it?
Thanks in advance for a ny suggestions.
Angel _________________ Cody the Hamster
Cody, you will be so missed, and always in my heart. So, we really won't ever be very far apart. One day I will see you again, but until then, I will never forget my Best Friend.
Sounds like Itsy is just more active then Bitsy in my opinion and is maybe attention seeking. Its very unlikely anything would be wrong as she is active and she is eating and drinking fine. They are usually the first things you notice when a degus unwell, they become lethargic and will stop eating and drinking. I would say at four months they would be equivelent to older teenagers (as far as i'm aware there is no real scale as to age of a degu in comparison to a human so i'm just going on personal experience and knowledge) and they are finding their feet and seeing whats acceptable and whats not
Degus like humans all vary, while Bitsy is tired and needs a nap Itsy is still wide awake and wants to play. It does sound like she maybe bored or she is looking for attention as degus can be attention seekers at times. I have one boy who rattles his hay ball for attention
Do they have an excercise wheel? What toys do they have?
You could try using toys designed to make Itsy work for a treat, maybe give them to her when its Bitsys nap time so Bitsy gets her nap and Itsy is kept busy with figuring out how to get the tasty treat _________________
Our Beti, who is a male, acted and still act the same way when he is alone for too long. He is looking for attention or treat specially now he is waiting for being neutered. I can't believe it in a change he is going through - he acts like a baby just what he was we got him. We can touch him everywhere and he hardly wait to be curry. What the miracle!
So curry Itsy more often, too me sounds also she needs a lot and a lot of attention. In that way degus are similar with human: we all need love and want to be loved!!
All good!
Thanks so much for your advice.
I think your right and Itsy is just bored that nothing is going on at that time of the day when she obviously has energy and wants to play.
Itsy actually doesnt like to be handled as much as Bitsy. When we put our hands in the cage she climbs on us and when we let then loose in the hallway and sit down she will climb all over us and come when called but when we touch her she moves away a bit. Whereas Bistsy likes to be tickled and loves to sit on my daughters head and search for nits or something.
Yesterday in an effort to break the behaviour we took then both out, earlier than usual. This was before the siesta time and let them have a good play for a couple of hours.
By the time we put them back, they were both more than ready for their nap.
I think we just need to tire Itsy out.
I realised that since my children have been back at school (two weeks) that the degus are having less activity in the morning than they had got used to.
I will need to keep Itsy entertained. _________________ Cody the Hamster
Cody, you will be so missed, and always in my heart. So, we really won't ever be very far apart. One day I will see you again, but until then, I will never forget my Best Friend.
Degus all vary just like humans, i let my guys have free access in and out the cage at playtime and in my foursome there is always one or two of them in the cage rather then out. Even caught one stretched out in the hammock napping once, think he was making the most of all the space Keeping Itsy entertained need not cost new toys etc... Simple things like hiding treats in kitchen towel and then stuffing them in a toilet roll tube can create hours of entertainment
Degus also vary in how much they will let you touch them, some like to be handled and others don't. Its obvious that Bitsy trusts you completely which is the greatest honour amongst degus as once you are in there then they class you as a fellow degu and thats the greatest feeling In time itsy will come round also, it just takes time _________________
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In time itsy will come round also, it just takes time 
