When putting together a complete and healthy diet for degus, guidance must come from their diet in the wild. This has been the subject of several year-long research studies. Different to other popular herbivorous pet species, degus are not natural grass eaters; in their natural habitat, they prefer leafy plants, herbs and shrubs. Depending on availability, these plants make up about two thirds of the diet in the wild while grasses will make up only a small contribution. The remainder, about 25% of the diet averaged over the year, is made up by seeds.

In a species appropriate and nutritionally balanced diet for domestic degus, plants other than grasses (herbs and weeds, shrubs, wild and garden flowers, tree leaves) must likewise make up the bulk of the diet. Because of the limited amount of hay typically eaten, they are the main source of beneficial fibre (neutral detergent fibre; NDF) which is so important for gastrointestinal and dental health. They are also the major source of calcium, which studies have shown to be crucial for dental health in degus. Diets based on processed hard foods cannot meet either requirement.

There are different sources of suitable plants for degus. Where and when possible, fresh self-collected plants are the most recommended and natural source. These can also be dried and stored. Both plant mixes and individual ingredients can be bought and are equally suited to make up the bulk of the degu diet. Self-collected and bought plants can be freely mixed as availability allows.

A good variety of plants is key as it assures that the nutritional values of this part of the diet are well balanced. It also encourages the natural foraging behaviour of degus who can develop their preferences and select their greens accordingly. For this reason it is important that plants are fed ad libitum, offering unrestricted access.

The Degu Mixture Balanced provides a good variety of different plants with the ingredients well balanced with herbs (40%), tree leaves (35%) and flowers (25%). It is an excellent source of calcium and beneficial dietary fibre (NDF). It is recommended by Degus International Community as part of a species-appropriate and balanced diet.

Ingredients: dandelion, dill stalks, apple leaves, hibiscus flowers, hogweed leaves, marigold flowers, mulberry leaves, ribwort plantain, apricot leaves, cherry leaves, echinacea leaves, ginkgo leaves, Jerusalem artichoke, mirabelle leaves, birch leaves, green oats, green spelt, pear leaves, tagetes flowers, willow leaves, acacia flowers, daisies, jasmine flowers, mallow flowers, poppy petals, strawberry leaves, sunflower petals.

Nutritional values (in % of dry weight): Crude fibre 17.7, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 30.2, crude protein 14.3, crude fat 4.7, sugars and starch 10.2, ash 11.6, calcium 1.79, phosphorous 0.31; analysis by Futtermittellabor Rosenau November 2019; as this is a fully natural product, nutritional values will vary from batch to batch

Hay must also be freely available at all times. Typically it will make up only a minor part of the diet of our degus. A high quality meadow hay is the best choice to encourage hay eating and offer a forage experience.

Seeds make up the remainder of the diet in the wild (averaged over the year). 25% of the diet is a suitable limit for degus in our homes. This limit applies to seeds and treats combined and will typically be around 3g per degu per day. Individual seeds can have widely diverging nutritional values, often very poor ones for a degu diet, and care needs to be given in particular to the fibre, calcium and phosphorous values of any mixture.

The SAB Seed Mix has been specifically put together by Degus International Community as part of the Species-Appropriate and Balanced Diet for Degus. For any seed mix it has an exceptionally good calcium content and calcium:phosphorous ratio. It is rich in fibre, keeping fat and starch at reasonable levels.

Ingredients: dill, fennel, fenugreek, lamb’s lettuce, radish, spinach, alfalfa, basil, caraway, celery, chicory, clover, coriander, larch, lettuce, poppy.

Nutritional values (in % of dry weight): Crude fibre 21.4, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 37.6, crude protein 22.1, crude fat 23.8, sugars and starch 9.0, ash 6.6, calcium 1.06, phosphorous 0.62; analysis by Futtermittellabor Rosenau November 2019; as this is a fully natural product, nutritional values will vary from batch to batch.

A great variety of natural treats are available that can be given as part of the recommended 25% allowance. Fed as part of a fully natural diet, such as the SAB diet recommended by Degus International Community, treats can be freely chosen but should be balanced between high fat and high sugar/starch items. Suitable treats are root and fruit vegetables, large legume seeds, nuts, and wildflower roots.

Degus on a fully natural diet, unless they are exposed to unfiltered sunlight, need either a vitamin D supplement or a safe UVB source in their enclosure.