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I had to go to the pet store today to buy rat/mouse and cat food, and while I was there I ended up picking up a little book on degus; it had information on health and overgrown teeth, which was why I got it. BUT. When I got home and started reading it...
WHAT THE HELL.
Everything I was told about how to feed/care for degus when I first bought them was crap! I have been maltreating them for five years without even knowing it! I was told they couldn't have sugar, when in fact they can and should have it. I was told they could only eat chinchilla food (w/out raisins), when they should eat a combination of rat food and guinea pig food, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and dry corn (for their teeth). They are also very fond of raisins and nuts of any kind.
So basically, they're horribly malnurished because they haven't had anything but plain chinchilla food for five years. =_=;;
And I feel really, REALLY FREAKING GUILTY about it, though I know it wasn't really my fault...
Anyway, so I picked up some guinea pig food, raisins and nuts. I also picked up some alphalfa hay for them (it's supposed to be good for them) as well as a half-dozen dried cobs of corn for them (as well as Yuki and Nashi! ^^)
Then when I got home, I opened up a huge metal bin (formerly a dog food canister), and dumpted everything in; guinea pig food, rat/mouse food, chinchilla food, raisins, walnuts, pecans and a couple of handfuls of cat food, and gave it a good stirring. The end. That's what all my rodenty friends are eating from now on, as well as lots of fresh veggies and some fresh fruit as well. ^^
I really, really hope that the new diet/lifestyle for Bedrock and Granite will help them both feel better, and help Bedrock gain weight and grow his fur back...
WHAT THE HELL.
Everything I was told about how to feed/care for degus when I first bought them was crap! I have been maltreating them for five years without even knowing it! I was told they couldn't have sugar, when in fact they can and should have it. I was told they could only eat chinchilla food (w/out raisins), when they should eat a combination of rat food and guinea pig food, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and dry corn (for their teeth). They are also very fond of raisins and nuts of any kind.
So basically, they're horribly malnurished because they haven't had anything but plain chinchilla food for five years. =_=;;
And I feel really, REALLY FREAKING GUILTY about it, though I know it wasn't really my fault...
Anyway, so I picked up some guinea pig food, raisins and nuts. I also picked up some alphalfa hay for them (it's supposed to be good for them) as well as a half-dozen dried cobs of corn for them (as well as Yuki and Nashi! ^^)
Then when I got home, I opened up a huge metal bin (formerly a dog food canister), and dumpted everything in; guinea pig food, rat/mouse food, chinchilla food, raisins, walnuts, pecans and a couple of handfuls of cat food, and gave it a good stirring. The end. That's what all my rodenty friends are eating from now on, as well as lots of fresh veggies and some fresh fruit as well. ^^
I really, really hope that the new diet/lifestyle for Bedrock and Granite will help them both feel better, and help Bedrock gain weight and grow his fur back...
