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What Should Degus Eat? Complete Degu Diet & Feeding Guide

Degus have unique dietary needs and require a high-fibre, low-sugar diet to stay healthy. Learn what degus should eat, safe foods to offer, foods to avoid, and how to choose healthy natural treats that support their wellbeing and natural behaviours.

9/2/20254 min read

What Should Degus Eat? Complete Degu Diet & Feeding Guide

If you've ever watched a degu happily nibbling on a strand of hay, you'll know just how important diet is to their health and wellbeing. These intelligent, social rodents have very specific nutritional requirements, and feeding the right foods is essential for supporting healthy digestion, maintaining dental health, and preventing serious health conditions.

Unlike many small pets, degus are highly sensitive to sugar and thrive on a diet that is rich in fibre and low in carbohydrates. Choosing the right foods, forage, and treats can help encourage natural behaviours while keeping your furry friends healthy and active.

Whether you're a new degu owner or an experienced keeper, this guide will help you understand exactly what degus should eat, which foods are safe, which foods should be avoided and how natural treats can form part of a balanced diet.

You can also explore our range of natural degu treats for safe and enriching snack options. Check out the infographics below for a handy guide to safe and unsafe foods for degus.

What Should Degus Eat?

A healthy degu diet should consist primarily of:

* Unlimited grass hay

* Degu-specific pellets

* Safe forage and dried herbs

* Fresh, clean water

* Occasional healthy treats

The key to feeding degus successfully is providing plenty of fibre while avoiding foods that contain sugar.

Hay: The Most Important Food for Degus

Hay should make up the majority of a degu's diet and should be available at all times.

Suitable options include:

* Timothy hay

* Meadow hay

* Orchard grass hay

Hay supports healthy digestion and helps wear down continuously growing teeth.

Degu Pellets

A high-quality degu-specific pellet can provide balanced nutrition alongside unlimited hay.

Choose pellets that are:

* High in fibre

* Low in sugar

* Free from added fruit

* Free from molasses

Avoid muesli-style foods that encourage selective feeding.

Safe Forage and Herbs

Many degus enjoy natural forage as part of a healthy diet.

Safe options include:

* Dandelion - Dandelion Treats – Herbal Small Animal Snack Chinchillas, Degus, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mi | Treats 4 Squeaks

* Plantain

* Nettle

* Chamomile - Chamomile Flowers – Natural Forage for Small Pets | Treats 4 Squeaks

* Lemon balm

* Rose petals - Organic Rose Petals – Natural Forage for Small Pets | Treats 4 Squeaks

* Calendula (Marigold) - Marigold Flowers – Natural Forage for Small Pets | Treats 4 Squeaks

These can provide enrichment and encourage natural foraging behaviours.

Safe Treats for Degus

Treats should only be fed occasionally and in small quantities.

Suitable treats include:

* Dried herbs

* Forage mixes

* Safe flowers

* Degu-friendly natural treats

Because degus are prone to diabetes, treats should always be low in sugar.

Foods Degus Should Avoid

Some foods can be harmful to degus and should not be fed.

Avoid:

* Fruit

* Dried fruit

* Honey

* Yoghurt drops

* Sugary treats

* Chocolate

* Human snacks

* Sweetened cereals

Even small amounts of sugary foods can negatively affect a degu's health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Degu Diets

What do degus eat every day?

Degus should have unlimited hay, fresh water, degu pellets, and access to safe forage and herbs.

Can degus eat fruit?

No. Fruit contains natural sugars that can contribute to health problems, including diabetes.

What is the best food for degus?

The best diet for degus consists of unlimited grass hay, quality degu pellets, and low-sugar forage.

Can degus eat carrots?

Carrots contain natural sugars and should only be fed, if at all, in very small amounts and only occasionally.

Why can't degus eat sugary foods?

Degus are particularly susceptible to diabetes and do not process sugar efficiently, making low-sugar diets essential.

Do degus need hay?

Yes. Hay is the most important part of a degu's diet and should be available at all times.

What treats are safe for degus?

Dried herbs, flowers, forage blends, and specially formulated low-sugar degu treats are generally the safest options found here - Degu treats | Treats 4 Squeaks

Can degus eat nuts and seeds?

Only occasionally, due to their high fat content and because they do not reflect a natural degu diet. While hay and forage should always form the foundation of a degu's diet, occasional treats can provide valuable enrichment and encourage natural foraging behaviours. Pumpkin & sunflower seeds 1-2per week and hazelnuts x1 per month are fine in moderation.

Our Degu Delight Seed Mix contains 10 different seeds, offering a variety of textures, scents, and flavours that help make feeding time more engaging. Seed mixes should be fed in moderation as part of a balanced diet and are best used as an occasional reward, scatter feed, or enrichment activity rather than a daily food source.

Watch the video below to see what's in our Degu Delight Seed Mix in action and discover how it can add variety and stimulation to your degus' environment.

Conclusion

A healthy degu diet is simple: unlimited hay, quality pellets, safe forage, fresh water, and low-sugar natural treats. By focusing on fibre-rich foods and avoiding sugary snacks, you can help support your degus' health, encourage natural behaviours, and keep them happy for years to come.