Still exotic as pets in most countries, degus and chinchillas are becoming more popular, including in households with children.
Degus and chinchillas are both relatively low maintenance, in comparison to cats and dogs, but they still need your attention and care. Degus shed less, they are also more interactive and may adapt better to the household’s sleeping schedule. Chinchillas live longer and have fewer health issues. Both species need company and should live in pairs. It is important to check if these pets are legal and/or require special certification in your state or country.
Consider If the Pet And Your Household Are a Good Match for Each Other
It is important to be mindful of your lifestyle or your family’s lifestyle and to consider whether you can accommodate your prospective pet’s needs.
Factors to Keep in Mind:
- Independent pets that dislike being handled and need a lot of space do not do well in families with young children. A degu is likely to do to be more patient and do better with being held than a chinchilla. A child should be able to allow his or her pet some space.
- The CDC does not recommend rodent pets for households with children younger than five years old so consider degus or chinchillas when your kids are older. If someone in your family has a weakened immune system, you should also avoid having a rodent pet. You are welcome to familiarize yourself with the recommendations from the CDC on their website.
- It is important to keep in mind the life expectancy and potential health issues. Chinchillas are generally healthier and they have a longer lifespan.
- The cost of food, supplies, and other monthly expenses is likely going to be very similar.
- Are you okay with shedding? Chinchillas tend to shed much more throughout the year. Degus also shed but their shedding is more seasonal.
- Rodents can trigger allergies, just like most other animals. Sometimes you do not know if you are allergic until you spend some time with the animal. It might be good to meet your prospective pet ahead of welcoming them home if it is an option. Then you are more likely to become aware of having allergies.
- Both degus and chinchillas are very sociable animals and they should be kept in pairs or bigger groups (same sex if you want to prevent them from breeding).
- Although they like company, neither degus nor chinchillas tolerate rodents of another species in their habitat.
Compare Chinchillas And Degus As Pets
| CHARACTERISTIC | CHINCHILLAS | DEGUS |
| Size | 10-15 in / 22-38 cm | 10-12 in / 25-31cm |
| Weight | 1-2 lbs / 0.5-1 kg | 6-10 oz / 0.2-0.3 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 10 years+, up to 20 years with optimal care | 5-7 years |
| Shedding | Chinchillas shed multiple times a year to renew their coats. They also release lumps of fur under stress or if held tightly. The fur slip is an adaptation that allows them to survive in the wild. | Degus shed small amounts of hair throughout the year but their shedding season is in spring. During that time their fur can become patchy. |
| Grooming and hygiene | Chinchillas don’t need water baths but they need dust baths at least twice a week. You can brush your chinchilla if the animal does not seem stressed out by it. | Degus need regular dust baths but don’t need water baths. Their eyes may need to be cleaned. Degus do not need brushing but some pets enjoy being brushed. |
| Habitat maintenance | Fully clean the cage every month, and spot clean daily. | Fully clean the cage every month, and spot clean daily. |
| Feeding your pet | Hay and grass are the core of chinchillas’ diet. They also need rodent pellets and root veggies for complete nutrition, as well as plenty of water. | Offer rodent pellets; grass and hay in abundance; high-fiber vegetables, occasional sunflower seeds and nuts for treats, and plenty of water. |
| Health | Most health problems result from a suboptimal diet. A low-fiber diet causes dental problems and GI imbalance. The GI tract of chinchillas is prone to both constipation and diarrhea. Chinchillas are very sensitive to heat and can develop heatstroke quickly if the ambient air is warmer than 27°C/ 80°F | Diabetes is common because degus do not metabolize carbohydrates well. Dental problems happen if degus don’t chew enough. Cataracts are common, especially in pets with diabetes. |
| Sleep pattern | Chinchillas are most active at dusk and dawn and nap a lot during the day and at night. | Degus are most active at dusk and dawn and nap a lot during the day and night. |
| Temperament | Chinchillas like to play and interact, they know their human families but are more independent than degus. | Inquisitive, sociable, and playful, they bond with their human friends and love the company of other degus |
| Activities | Exercise wheel, toys, chew toys of untreated wood, things to climb on, and multilevel spacious cages make chinchillas and degus busy and happy. They may enjoy exploring the space outside the cage but only under supervision to prevent elopement. | Exercise wheel, toys, chew toys of untreated wood, things to climb on, and multilevel spacious cages make chinchillas and degus busy and happy. They may enjoy exploring the space outside the cage but only under supervision to prevent elopement. |
| Kids | Chinchillas are great pets for young school-age children. Chinchillas do not like being held and aren’t very cuddly. For everyone’s comfort, chinchillas are a better match for children mature enough to give animals their space. | Degus should be kept in pairs or larger groups, ideally. |
| Social needs | Chinchillas are happier when they live in pairs. Larger groups are fine, as long as there is plenty of room in their habitat. | Degus should be kept in pair or larger groups, ideally. |
| Other pets | Chinchillas should not share a cage with any other species. Both chinchillas and degus do fine with cats and dogs if they grow up together but there is still a risk of an incident. Interactions between chinchillas and other pets should be supervised. | Degus should not be kept with other species in their cage. Degus could do okay with a cat or a dog living in the house but the animals should never be left together unsupervised. Cats and dogs may feel the urge to prey on a rodent. |
| Hypoallergenic? | No | No |
Can Degus And Chinchillas Live Together?
Although these rodents are quite similar in their care and even temperament, chinchillas and degus need separate habitats and should not be kept together.
There could be plenty of behavioral and territorial concerns, and there is a risk that the animals would transmit disease to one another.
Are Degus And Chinchillas Good Beginner Pets?
Once you get into the routine of taking care of either degus or chinchillas, they are relatively easy to maintain. For that reason, both degus and chinchillas can be considered good beginner pets.
At the same time, it is important to remember that they still need your time and care and sometimes they are less interactive than many new owners want them to be. If your rodent pet is shy, it is important to avoid handling them too much and approach them carefully, during the hours when they are active.
Can Degus And Chinchillas Be Toilet Trained?
As odd as it sounds, degus and chinchillas can be potty trained – they can use a litter box just like cats.
Keep their litter box in a corner far from their food and water. When your pets void somewhere in the cage, put the soiled bedding in the litter box. Over time, degus and chinchillas learn to use the litter box appropriately.
Are Degus And Chinchillas Legal In Your State Or Country?
Both degus and chinchillas are regarded as invasive species in many natural habitats and environments, which is the common reason these animals are not allowed in many areas.
Some states within the U.S. do not permit owning degus at all. Some allow adopted animals but do not permit purchasing them from stores or breeders. Some places require special certification to own a degu.
Similar conditions apply to chinchillas. It is important to research to be sure you can have these pets in your home in the area you live in.
If you are not certain if your state permits either degus or chinchillas, you are welcome to check the lists and limitations for different exotic animals on FindLaw website. It lists the information about different species of animals by state. The website only addresses owning these animals within the U.S.
To Conclude
The experience of having either chinchillas or degus as pets is likely to be quite similar.
Both animals are fun and friendly. Both are not difficult to maintain but still need more time and care than many prospective owners realize. In other words, caring for these pets is more than a young school-age child could do by him or herself but some of the regular care tasks could be fun chores for an older child.
These pets can cause allergies and need annual visits to a veterinarian.
Both chinchillas and degus benefit from living in pairs. Degus are known to tolerate being held better than chinchillas, so it is something to consider if you would love to be able to hold your pet.
Once either of these animals joins your family, they need your love, attention, and good care, just like the more traditional cats and dogs.
