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No, we would not give degus strawberries. Degus are prone to type 2 diabetes, and the RSPCA, PDSA, PetMD and Burgess all say to avoid sugary fruit. PDSA makes one exception, an occasional small piece of apple, and strawberry isn't it. A stolen bite is not poisonous, so just watch for an upset tummy.
| Safe? | No, too sugary |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all: leafy veg is the safe swap |
| Watch out for | Dried strawberry in mixes, yoghurt drops |
Why can't degus eat strawberries?
Because of sugar, not poison. Degus are strict plant-eaters that handle sugar badly. The RSPCA says "many fruits can be high in sugar, so don't give these to your degus". PDSA says to avoid anything high in sugar such as fruit, with an occasional bit of apple the only exception. PetMD says fruit can contribute to high blood sugar, and Burgess tells degu owners to avoid sugary foods such as fruits.
Degutopia, the UK degu care site, is the one source that allows a little fresh fruit, once a month at most, and it doesn't name strawberry. With every vet and welfare source on the other side, we take the careful line and leave strawberry out. If you want one fruit treat, apple is the one PDSA allows.
What if my degu has eaten strawberry?
- Take the rest away. Degus stash food, so check the bedding and hides.
- 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.
Fresh, dried and flavoured strawberry
| Form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Fresh strawberry flesh | No |
| Green top and leaves | Not on degu safe lists, so skip |
| Dried or freeze-dried pieces | No: concentrated sugar |
| Strawberry yoghurt drops or chews | No |
| Jam, juice or smoothie | No |
Woodgreen links diabetes in degus to sugary treats like fruits and chew bars, and lists the signs as cataracts, drinking and weeing much more than usual, and unexpected weight gain. If you see them, book a vet check and read our guide to degus and sugar.
Degus love the ritual of a hand-fed treat as much as the taste. A dried herb or a pinch of oats, which Degutopia allows daily, gives the same moment without the sugar.
What to give instead
If you want fruit, a thumbnail-sized piece of apple about once a month is the better-supported choice for a healthy adult. Never swap in grapes, which the RSPCA says are poisonous to rodents. For weekly treats, use leafy veg from our degu safe food list. The degu diet guide and our complete degu care guide cover the rest.
Strawberry questions
Is strawberry poisonous to degus?
No source we use calls strawberry poisonous to degus. The problem is sugar. The RSPCA, PDSA, PetMD and Burgess all say degus should not have sugary fruit because they are prone to diabetes. That is why we put strawberry in the no column rather than the treat column.
Can degus eat strawberry leaves?
Can degus eat dried or freeze-dried strawberries?
No. Drying packs the sugar into a small piece that is easy to overfeed, and the RSPCA says mixes with dried fruit are not suitable for degus. Check treat bags and skip any with dried strawberry pieces.
Can degus eat strawberry yoghurt drops?
No. Yoghurt drops are mostly sugar and fat, and the RSPCA warns that commercial treats for degus can be too sugary. PDSA says to avoid anything with molasses, and the same goes for honey and syrup. Pick a hay-based treat instead.
My degu ate some strawberry. What should I do?
A small bite is unlikely to harm a healthy degu. Take away anything left, keep hay and water topped up, and watch for soft droppings, a swollen belly or not eating over the next day. Ring your vet if those appear, or straight away if your degu is diabetic.
