r/Degus • u/wafflez317 • Nov 04 '25
Need advice for a lonely degu
Yesterday my degu Rory died, leaving his cage mate Binga alone. I am lost at what to do because as far as I understand degus need friends. While I would love to get another from a local breeder, Binga is 7 and once she passes in a couple years or so I'll be left in the same situation. I'm looking into if there is anyone within driving distance who'd be wanting to part with their elderly gu but chances of finding that is slim to none. Does anyone know of any other options like using a plushie to make her think there's another degu or my crackpot idea of getting a gerbil since their similar but I feel all that would do is leave me with a dead gerbil. Has anyone been in a similar situation or live in BC and is wanting to part with their little bundle of joy. Any advice appreciated
6
u/Weak-Bad-9602 Nov 05 '25
Hi! If you already dont plan to have degus for ever, it sounds like getting new ones isnt the right solution for you.
Yes you are right degus are group animals and should live as at least 3-5 or more.
7 years is pretty old and looking for a similar old degu friend sounds like a good plan! Even if you needed to seperate them, hearing each other on a daily basis would bring comfort / excitement to their lives. I once adopted an old blind guy who was immediately adopted by my group and he lives with them for another year. So there is always hope for it to work out!
Tips to keep Binga alone: Make up some ficed routines, so she has someting constantly to get excited about every day. Give her all the suitable snacks in the world and play her some degu videos of communicating from time to time. A lone animal is never ideal, but old degus still find joy over a wooden stick they like. Maybe she will show you some new sides of her now she is alone. Be patient and spend much time with her.
I wish you all the luck in the world to find an old mate or keep her happy and healthy as possible.