Degu cage size: how big it really needs to be

How big should a degu cage be?

As big as you can fit, and tall. Degus are fast, curious rodents from the hills of Chile that run, climb, jump and dig all day, and they are awake in daylight, so you'll see every bit of the cage being used. The charities agree on the shape: tall, metal and with several levels. They differ on the exact numbers, so here is what each good source says.

We'd follow Wood Green and Burgess. Their size is the only one meant for degus living most of their day in the cage, which is what most pet degus do. The smaller figures from PetMD and Degutopia are floors that assume a good stretch of time out every day. If you can't promise that hour, the small cage isn't enough.

Degu cage size requirements: what really matters

Four things matter more than the headline size: height, levels, the base and the roof. A big cage that gets any of these wrong will still cause problems.

• Height of well over a metre (40 in), because degus climb and jump between levels all day.
• At least three platforms or shelves at different heights, linked by ramps or branches, with no drop so big a degu could fall a long way.
• Solid shelves and floors, or wire ones covered with lino or a ceramic tile, to protect feet from sores (bumblefoot).
• A solid metal base deep enough to hold a thick layer of bedding for digging. Plastic and wooden bases get chewed through.
• A solid or covered roof. The RSPCA and PDSA both say movement overhead frightens degus, who are prey animals.
• Room on the floor for a wheel, nest boxes, a hay rack, food bowls and a water bottle, with open floor left over.
• Large doors you can reach through for spot cleaning every day.

How much bigger for three, four or more degus?

Burgess gives 93 × 63 × 159 cm (37 × 25 × 63 in) for two to four degus, so that size covers a small group. Beyond four, no charity gives a formula. PDSA's rule is simply that more degus need more space, and Degutopia says the less time they spend out of the cage, the bigger it should be.

For five or more, we'd go for a double-width cage or two units joined side by side, so each degu can get away from the others. The RSPCA also asks for a nest box big enough for the whole group to sleep together, plus enough separate hiding spots for each degu to shelter on its own. Count hides and food bowls by the number of degus, not by the cage.

How big does a degu get?

An adult degu is a little bigger than a hamster and much bigger than a gerbil. Burgess puts the body at about 15 cm (6 in) long, with a tufted tail of about the same again, so roughly 30 cm (12 in) from nose to tail tip. PetMD gives a typical weight of 6 to 10 oz (about 170 to 280 g). A degu stretches out further than that when it runs or leaps, which is why sources ask for height and a big wheel rather than a long, low hutch.

That long tail is fragile. A degu can lose the skin or tip of its tail if it is caught or grabbed, so cage doors and wheels must leave no gaps that could trap it. Our degu facts page has more on how they are built.

Bar spacing, materials and the cage base

Bars should be no wider than 1.25 cm (½ in). PetMD gives half an inch as the maximum, and Degutopia says never over 2 cm (¾ in) so young degus can't squeeze out. Adults may cope with 2 cm, but youngsters can get through gaps you wouldn't believe, so we'd follow the narrower figure.

The cage should be all metal. PDSA says it is "really important that the cage is metal", because degus chew through plastic and wood. That includes the base tray, which is where many cages sold for rabbits or guinea pigs fall down. Degutopia also warns to check the door catches, because degus learn to work them.

Degu wheel size

A degu wheel should be solid and at least 30 cm (12 in) across. Degutopia sets 12 inches as the minimum so the spine doesn't curve while running, and PDSA says the wheel must let a degu run with a flat back because running arched can cause spinal problems. PetMD gives 10 to 12 inches, but we'd take the larger figure, and many owners choose 33 cm (13 in) for big adults.

• Solid running surface, no rungs or mesh, which can break legs and toes.
• No spokes on the open side, which can catch a tail.
• Metal or wood inside the cage; plastic gets chewed.
• Room in the cage to fit it without blocking a level or a door.

See our guide to degu wheels for fitting and safety.

Large degu cages: what to look for when buying

Most cages labelled for degus are too small. PDSA points to tall cages sold for chinchillas or ferrets as a better fit, as long as the bars are narrow enough. Before you buy, check the measurements against the table above and tick through this list.

1. Check the real size. Look for width, depth and height in centimetres or inches, not "suitable for degus". Aim for 93 × 63 × 159 cm (37 × 25 × 63 in) or larger.
2. Check the bars. Find the bar spacing in the listing. If it's over 1.25 cm (½ in), plan to add fine metal mesh or choose another cage.
3. Check the base. It should be metal and deep enough for a thick layer of bedding. Avoid plastic trays the degus can reach.
4. Check the shelves. Wire shelves need covering. Solid metal or wooden shelves are easier, but wood will need replacing as it gets chewed.
5. Check the doors and roof. Big doors make cleaning easier. A solid roof, or one you can cover, helps degus feel safe.

Our pick of cages is on best degu cages, and degu cage setup shows how to lay one out.

Can you build a DIY degu cage?

Yes, and a home build is often the cheapest way to get a cage that is big enough. Degutopia's rules for a DIY enclosure are clear: give it good airflow, such as a mesh top, use only safe materials such as aluminium sheeting, glass panels, metal mesh or kiln-dried pine, line any wood with mesh or metal because degus will chew it, add large doors for cleaning and check every edge for sharp points. Plan the size from the number of degus first, using the table above.

For everything else your degus need, start with our complete degu care guide.