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No, we would not give degus banana. Degus are prone to type 2 diabetes, and the RSPCA, PDSA and PetMD all say to avoid sugary fruit. Banana is one of the sweetest fruits in the fruit bowl, so it is a poor fit for a degu. If yours stole a bite, it is not poisonous: just watch for an upset tummy.
| Safe? | No, too sugary |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all: try leafy veg instead |
| Watch out for | Banana chips in treat mixes |
Why can't degus eat banana?
Because of sugar, not poison. Degus are strict plant-eaters that evolved on a dry, fibrous diet, and they handle sugar badly. The RSPCA says "many fruits can be high in sugar, so don't give these to your degus". PDSA says fruit should generally be avoided, with the only exception being an occasional small piece of apple. PetMD lists fruit among the sugary foods that can contribute to high blood sugar in degus.
Degutopia allows a little fresh fruit once a month, but doesn't name banana. Since banana is much sweeter and stickier than apple, we take the more careful line and leave it out completely.
What if my degu has eaten banana?
- Take the rest away. Check the cage for hidden pieces.
- Keep hay and water topped up. Plenty of hay helps the gut settle.
- Watch for 24 hours. Look for soft droppings, a swollen belly, sitting hunched or not eating.
- Ring the vet if needed. Call the same day if any of those signs appear, or straight away if your degu is diabetic.
Banana chips, peel and flavoured treats
- Fresh banana: no.
- Banana chips and dried banana: no. The RSPCA says mixes with dried fruit are not suitable for degus.
- Banana-flavoured chews or yoghurt drops: no. The RSPCA warns commercial treats can be too sugary.
- Peel and leaves: not covered by any source we trust, so leave them out.
Woodgreen lists the signs of diabetes in degus as cataracts, drinking and weeing much more than usual, and unexpected weight gain. If you see them, book a vet check and review the diet.
Better treats than banana
If you want a fruit, a sliver of apple once a month is the one PDSA allows; strawberry is too sugary as well. Leafy veg and herbs make better everyday treats: see our degu safe food list. Our guide to degus and sugar, the degu diet guide and our complete degu care guide explain the rest.
Banana questions
Is banana poisonous to degus?
No source we use calls banana poisonous to degus. The problem is sugar. The RSPCA, PDSA and PetMD all say degus should not have sugary fruit because they are prone to diabetes, and banana is one of the sweetest everyday fruits. That is why we put it in the no column rather than the treat column.
Can degus eat dried banana chips?
No. Banana chips are dried, so the sugar is concentrated, and many are fried or sweetened with honey or syrup. The RSPCA says mixes with dried fruit are not suitable for degus. Check any treat bag for banana chips and pick a mix without them.
Can degus eat banana peel or banana leaves?
Is a tiny lick of banana really a problem?
A single lick won't harm a healthy degu. The risk is building a habit: sugary treats add up over months, and Woodgreen links diabetes in degus to sugary treats like fruits and chew bars. Use leafy veg or herbs as rewards so the habit is a healthy one.
