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Yes, degus can eat carrot, but only as an occasional treat. The RSPCA lists carrot as a sugary vegetable that should only be given in very small pieces now and then, and degus are prone to diabetes. One thumbnail-sized piece per degu, a few times a month at most, is plenty. The leafy carrot tops are the better choice.
| Safe? | Yes, in very small amounts |
| How much | 1 thumbnail-sized piece per degu |
| How often | Occasionally, a few times a month at most |
| Best served | Raw, washed, in a small cube or slice |
| Watch out for | Sugar, cooked carrot, diabetic degus |
Is carrot safe for degus?
Yes, raw carrot is safe in small amounts, but it is not an everyday vegetable. Degus are strict plant-eaters whose diet should be mostly hay, and they are prone to type 2 diabetes. The RSPCA puts carrot alongside sweet potato, beetroot and parsnip as vegetables that "should only be given in very small pieces as an occasional treat". Burgess also suggests only an occasional small cube of carrot.
Degutopia lists carrot among its weekly vegetables, but also says sweeter vegetables should be kept to about once a month. Because carrot is one of the sweeter roots, we follow the RSPCA and keep it occasional.
How much carrot can a degu eat?
One piece about the size of your thumbnail, roughly 1.5 cm (half an inch) across, per degu. Give it as part of the normal veg portion, which PDSA and Degutopia say should be offered only once or twice a week, and leave carrot out of most of those sessions. A good pattern is carrot once or twice a month, with leafy veg the rest of the time.
Carrot root, tops, cooked and juice
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Carrot tops (leaves) | Yes, a small sprig weekly |
| Raw carrot root | Occasionally, one small piece |
| Cooked carrot | No |
| Carrot juice | No: concentrated sugar |
| Dried carrot treats | Rarely, and never instead of fresh veg |
How to prepare carrot for a degu
- Wash it. Scrub the carrot or tops under the tap; peeling is optional.
- Cut it small. Cut one thumbnail-sized cube or thin slice per degu.
- Serve raw. No cooking, butter or seasoning.
- Clear leftovers. Remove any uneaten pieces the same day.
Skip carrot entirely for a diabetic or overweight degu. Signs of diabetes include drinking and weeing much more than usual, weight gain and cataracts (cloudy eyes), according to Woodgreen. See a vet if you notice them.
What to give instead of carrot
Leafy veg suits degus better week to week: a floret of broccoli or a little romaine lettuce. Carrot is still a far better treat than fruit such as apple. Our full list of safe degu foods, the degu diet guide and our degu care guide have the rest.
Carrot questions
Can degus eat carrot tops?
Yes. Degutopia lists carrot tops among the vegetables degus can have weekly, and the leafy tops carry far less sugar than the root. Give a small sprig, washed and dried, as part of a mixed veg portion once or twice a week. Remove any wilted or yellowing leaves.
Can degus eat cooked carrots?
No. Degus should only eat raw vegetables. Cooked carrot is soft, so it does nothing for their teeth, and cooked leftovers are often buttered or salted. PDSA says degus should not be fed human food scraps.
Can degus eat baby carrots?
Yes, a baby carrot is just a small carrot. The same limit applies: one thumbnail-sized slice per degu now and then, not a whole baby carrot. Wash it first, as Degutopia advises for all shop-bought veg.
Can degus with diabetes eat carrots?
No. Degutopia says vegetables higher in natural sugar should not be given to diabetic degus, and the RSPCA counts carrot as a sugary vegetable. Offer carrot tops or leafy greens instead, and ask your vet to review the whole diet.
