Running wheel for degus: large, solid and sturdy

Degus are real runners. They are active during the day and on the move all day long. In an enclosure that space is not available, which is why a good running wheel is a fixed and much-used spot for most degus. A wheel gives your degus an outlet for their energy, precisely at the moments when they are at their busiest.

But a running wheel only helps if it really fits. Degus are bigger than hamsters and gerbils and have a long tail. A wheel that is too small forces them to run with an arched back, and a wheel with bars or holes in the running surface is dangerous for feet and tail. In this category you can read what to look for, which wheel from our range is the right size, and how to place the wheel so that it keeps turning safely and quietly.

In short

• ✓ For adult degus, choose a running wheel with a diameter of at least about 30 cm; bigger is better.
• ✓ The running surface must be solid: no bars, rungs or holes where feet or the tail can get caught.
• ✓ The wheel must be firmly fixed and turn quietly, even when a degu jumps into it at speed.
• ✓ Degus chew plastic: check a plastic wheel regularly for gnaw damage.
• ✓ A running wheel is an addition to a large, tall enclosure, not a replacement for one.

What will you find in the Running wheels category for degus?

Plastic running wheel ø 33 cm

The Trixie plastic running wheel ø 33 cm is the wheel in this range whose size suits an adult degu. According to the product information it is made for Syrian hamsters and rats and has a generous diameter, so the back can stay straight while running. According to the product information it is a roomy and quiet wheel. Plastic is easy to clean. Because degus chew plastic, it is wise to check the wheel regularly for damage, especially at the rim and by the stand.

Smaller wheels in this category

The category also contains smaller wheels: the Trixie plastic wheel of ø 20 cm (for dwarf hamsters and mice), the Trixie plastic wheel of ø 28 cm (for Syrian hamsters, rats and gerbils) and the Giga Mouse bark wood running wheel, ø 29 cm (for Syrian hamsters, rats and gerbils). These wheels are made for smaller animals. For an adult degu we recommend a wheel of at least about 30 cm, so for degus you choose the ø 33 cm wheel.

Why the size of the wheel matters so much

In a good running wheel your degu runs with a straight or slightly curved back, roughly as it runs across the floor. If the wheel is too small, it has to arch its back to stay in the curve. That happens again on every lap, and a degu runs a lot of laps a day. An arched back while running is not a posture you want to see every day.

Rule of thumb: watch your degu while it runs. If the back stays straight or slightly curved, the wheel is big enough. If you see the base of the tail curling upwards and the back clearly hollowing, the wheel is too small. For adult degus, in practice that means a diameter of at least about 30 cm. Bigger is always fine.

A solid running surface: no bars, no holes

The running surface is just as important as the size. A wheel with bars or open rungs is not suitable: a foot can slip between them while the wheel turns. With degus there is something extra. They have a long tail with vulnerable skin, which can come off if handled wrongly. A tail that ends up between the spokes or in a gap at the side can be seriously damaged. So always choose a wheel with a solid running surface and a solid back, without open spokes at the running edge.

Sturdy and quiet

Degus jump into the wheel at speed and also stop abruptly. A wheel on a wobbly stand or on a platform that moves starts to rock and makes noise. Put the wheel on a firm, level surface. If your enclosure has a thick layer of bedding, put the wheel on a tile or board that lies firmly on the floor, so that it does not sink in or end up at an angle.

If a wheel starts squeaking or rattling, first check it for loose parts and dirt by the axle. Often that already solves the noise. Do not use oil or grease on the axle: your degus can chew on it or swallow it while grooming.

A running wheel in a degu group

Degus live in at least a pair, preferably in a small same-sex group. You often see two degus running in a wheel at the same time, or jumping in turns. In a roomy wheel that usually goes well. Do watch out that a dominant degu does not claim the wheel all day. In a large group or a large enclosure a second wheel can help. Also do not put a wheel in the middle of a narrow walking route, so that degus wanting to pass do not run into a turning wheel.

Chewing on the running wheel

Degus chew wood and plastic to pieces. That also applies to a plastic wheel. They usually start at the rim of the wheel or at the stand. So inspect the wheel every week. If you see sharp edges, loose pieces or deep gnaw marks in the running surface, replace the wheel or the damaged part. You prevent a lot of gnaw damage by giving your degus enough other chew material every day, such as chew wood, branches and unlimited hay.

Cleaning

Degus sometimes leave droppings and wee in the wheel. Remove droppings daily and clean the running surface weekly with warm water, if needed with a mild soap that you rinse off thoroughly. Let the wheel dry completely before you put it back. Do not use strongly scented cleaning products. A clean wheel also turns more smoothly and quietly.

Running wheel and health

A running wheel is a good addition, but exercise alone does not make a degu healthy. The basis remains unlimited hay, a sugar-free degu food, clean water, a sand bath and a large, tall enclosure with levels and hiding places. Degus are prone to diabetes; so do not feed sugar, fruit or sweet treats, not even as a reward after running. If you notice that a degu suddenly runs much less, is more sluggish, eats less or loses weight, contact a vet with knowledge of rodents.

Useful combinations

A running wheel works best in an enclosure that is right in other respects too:

• Cages: a large, tall enclosure in which a 33 cm wheel fits comfortably.
• Degu food: Zooply Degu Food as a sugar-free basis for active degus.
• Hay: unlimited Zooply hay, the basis of the menu and good for the teeth.
• Chew wood: Zooply Apple Branches and other chew material, so the wheel gets gnawed less.
• Sand & Sand baths: Zooply Bathing Sand for coat care after running.

Frequently asked questions about running wheels for degus

How big should a running wheel for a degu be?

For an adult degu at least about 30 cm in diameter, and bigger is better. In our range that is the Trixie plastic wheel of ø 33 cm. Wheels of 20, 28 or 29 cm are made for smaller animals such as dwarf hamsters, Syrian hamsters and gerbils. With your own degu, look above all at the back: it must be able to stay straight while running.

Is a plastic wheel suitable at all, when degus chew plastic to pieces?

A plastic wheel is easy to clean and light in weight. The downside is that degus can chew on it. So check the wheel weekly and replace it if sharp edges or loose pieces appear. With enough chew wood and hay in the enclosure, most degus chew the wheel less.

My degu does not use the running wheel. What can I do?

Give your degu time. Put the wheel in a spot it often passes, but not in the way on a busy route. Check that the wheel turns quietly and smoothly and stands firmly; a wobbly or squeaking wheel puts them off. Some degus run little in a wheel and prefer to get their exercise by climbing and digging. That is fine too, as long as the enclosure is big enough.

Can two degus use one wheel at the same time?

In a roomy wheel, degus often run together or in turns, and usually that goes well. Watch out that a degu does not get flung out of the wheel and that a dominant animal does not keep the wheel occupied all the time. In a large enclosure with several degus, a second wheel can bring calm.

My degu runs in the wheel all day. Is that normal?

Degus are diurnal animals and can run a lot; it is part of their character. If a degu does almost nothing but run in the wheel, check whether the enclosure offers enough challenge: space, climbing routes, digging opportunities, chew material and company. A richer enclosure often leads to more varied behaviour.

How often should I clean the wheel?

Remove droppings daily and clean the running surface thoroughly with warm water at least once a week. Let it dry completely before it goes back into the enclosure.

Buying a running wheel for degus at Knaagplaza

At Knaagplaza, the webshop of 't Knaagplein, you choose a running wheel that suits the size and pace of your degus. Complete it with Zooply Degu Food, Zooply hay and Zooply Bathing Sand. Zooply is our own premium brand, which we use every day for our own animals. That way your degus have everything they need to run, gnaw and recover well afterwards.