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No, degus should not eat grapes. The RSPCA says grapes "are poisonous to rodents", and degus are rodents. Grapes are also sugary, and degus are prone to type 2 diabetes. That rules out every colour, seedless grapes and raisins, sultanas and currants too. If your degu has eaten some, ring your vet for advice the same day.
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all: a sliver of apple is the safe swap |
| Watch out for | Raisins and sultanas in treat mixes |
Why can't degus eat grapes?
Second, sugar. The RSPCA tells degu owners not to give sugary fruit because degus are prone to diabetes, and PDSA says fruit should generally be avoided, apart from an occasional small piece of apple.
What if my degu has already eaten grape?
- Remove what is left. Degus stash food, so check the bedding and hides.
- Note how much and when. A rough idea helps the vet.
- Ring your vet the same day. Do this even if your degu seems well. If your practice doesn't see degus, ask for an exotics vet.
- Watch closely. Look for soft droppings, not eating, drinking much more or less than usual, sitting hunched or weakness. The RSPCA says changes in eating, drinking or toileting need a vet's advice.
Don't try home remedies or try to make your degu sick. Ring the vet and follow their advice.
Raisins, juice and grape-flavoured treats
- Raisins, sultanas and currants: no. Degutopia allows one raisin a month, but these are dried grapes and the RSPCA says mixes with dried fruit are not suitable for degus. We follow the RSPCA.
- Grape juice: no. Degus need only fresh water from a bottle.
- Treat sticks and fruit mixes: read the label and skip any with dried grapes.
- Vine leaves and branches: not covered by our sources, so keep them away.
Safe treats to give instead
A thumbnail-sized piece of apple once a month is the only fruit we'd give; strawberry is too sugary too. Leafy veg and dried herbs make better everyday rewards: see our safe food list for degus and the degu diet guide. For signs that something is wrong, read our degu health guide and the complete degu care guide.
Grape questions
My degu ate a grape. What should I do?
Take away anything left, including pieces hidden in the bedding, and ring your vet for advice the same day, even if your degu seems fine. Say roughly how much was eaten and when. Watch for soft droppings, not eating, drinking much more or less than usual, sitting hunched or weakness.
Can degus eat raisins?
We say no. Degutopia allows one raisin per degu per month, but raisins are dried grapes, and the RSPCA says grapes are poisonous to rodents. The RSPCA also says mixes with dried fruit are not suitable for degus. With that disagreement, we take the careful side and leave raisins out.
Are seedless or green grapes any safer for degus?
No. The RSPCA warning covers grapes in general, with no exception for colour, seeds or variety. Red, green, black, seedless and organic grapes are all off the menu.
