Gnawing wood for degus: safe gnawing for a true gnawing fanatic

Few rodents gnaw as fanatically as a degu. Wood, cardboard, plastic: whatever is within reach gets investigated and often destroyed. That is not naughtiness, but natural behaviour. A degu's teeth keep growing throughout its life, and gnawing is part of how it explores its surroundings and keeps itself busy. If you don't provide suitable gnawing material, your degu will choose something itself: a plastic hideout, the bars or a wooden level.

Gnawing wood gives that urge to gnaw a safe outlet. In this category you will find natural branches, roots and wooden chew toys. Leading the way are the chew products from Zooply, our own premium brand, which we use every day ourselves for the animals in our shop and breeding facility.

At a glance

• ✓ Degus gnaw a lot and hard; always provide several pieces of untreated gnawing material.
• ✓ Hay remains the most important thing for wearing down the front and cheek teeth; gnawing wood is a supplement.
• ✓ Choose untreated wood without varnish, paint or glue, and avoid chew snacks with carrot or fruit.
• ✓ Replace gnawing wood when it gets wet, dirty or splintery.
• ✓ Place gnawing wood in several spots, so no single degu can claim everything.

What will you find in the Gnawing wood category for degus?

Zooply Apple Branches

Zooply Apple Branches are dried branches from the apple tree in a 275-gram pack. They are real branches, with bark, in various thicknesses. Degus love peeling off the bark and then working on the wood itself. According to the product information, they are sugar-free and you can give them daily. Put a few twigs in the enclosure or push them between the hay in the hay rack, so your degus have to put in some effort.

Zooply Dandelion Roots

Zooply Dandelion Roots (250 grams) are dried roots of the dandelion, with a firm structure. They are sugar-free and, according to the product information, can be fed daily. Dandelion roots sit somewhere between gnawing material and food: your degu gnaws on them, but also eats them. That makes them a nice change alongside wood. Please note: this is the root of the dandelion, not the orange vegetable carrot, which degus must not have because of the sugar.

Dried willow twigs

The dried willow twigs from Trixie are 18 centimetres long and come 20 to a pack. Willow is a soft, slightly flexible wood that is popular with many rodents. The twigs are handy for spreading around the enclosure, pushing into a hay rack or letting your degus use as building material for a little nest. They are thin, so a degu makes short work of them. So combine them with thicker wood.

Wooden chew toys from Flamingo

The Flamingo Knabbelhout Majs comes in 7.5 × 2.5 cm and in 10 × 3.5 cm. The Flamingo Knaaghout Wortel Caro is a carrot-shaped wooden chew toy of 7.5 × 2 cm. Despite the name, it is just wood and not a real carrot. You fasten these chew toys to the bars with a wing nut. That keeps them in place so they don't get buried under the bedding. Hang them in a spot your degus often pass, for example next to a level or by the entrance of a hideout.

Bark wood platform

The wooden platform from Trixie measures 10 × 15 cm and is made of bark wood. You hang it on the bars of the enclosure. That gives you an extra place to sit or step up and something to gnaw on at the same time. For degus, which love to climb and sit on a lookout point, that is a handy combination. Because the platform will be gnawed hard, check regularly that it is still securely attached and still sturdy enough to stand on.

Chew snacks with hay

There are also a few chew snacks in this category, such as the Trixie tower made of natural wood filled with mountain meadow hay and seeds (110 grams) and a bark wood bridge with vegetables and nuts. They combine wood, hay and an edible filling. With products like these, always check what the filling is made of. If it contains carrot, fruit or anything sweet, it is not suitable for degus. The wooden tower with hay and seeds is a fun change, as long as you see the seeds as a treat.

Why gnawing wood is important for degus

In degus, both the front teeth and the cheek teeth keep growing throughout their life. For the cheek teeth, long chewing on high-fibre hay is the most important thing. A degu mainly uses its front teeth to gnaw, peel and investigate. Gnawing wood gives it the chance to do that, in a way that suits its natural behaviour.

At least as important is keeping busy. Degus are active during the day and have lots of energy. An enclosure without challenges quickly leads to boredom, and in degus boredom often shows itself as gnawing at the bars or running laps along the same stretch of mesh. A few branches to peel, a root to work on and a chew toy on the bars give that energy an outlet.

Gnawing wood and your degus' enclosure

Because degus love gnawing so much, choose materials for the enclosure itself that can withstand it: metal and glass. Wooden levels, hideouts and accessories will sooner or later be gnawed. That is not a problem, as long as it is untreated wood and you replace it in time. Plastic parts are less suitable, because degus can swallow bits of plastic.

If you see your degus always gnawing at the bars in the same spot, put or hang gnawing wood there. Also look at the bigger picture. Do your degus have enough space, several levels, hiding places, a running wheel with a solid running surface of at least about 30 cm in diameter and a sand bath? Bar gnawing often only disappears once the whole setup is right.

What should you look out for with gnawing wood?

Always choose untreated material: no varnish, paint, stain or glue. A degu doesn't just gnaw, it also swallows small pieces. Natural branches, roots and bark wood are therefore the best choice. Never take branches from unknown shrubs or trees.

Also watch out for chew snacks with a filling or coating. Many chew toys are made for rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents and contain carrot, fruit or a sweet coating. For degus, which are prone to diabetes, these are not suitable. Pure wood and natural branches are always the safe choice for degus.

How do you offer gnawing wood?

Place gnawing wood in several spots in the enclosure: by the hiding places, on the levels and along the walking routes. Degus live in small groups and there is almost always one degu that claims a favourite piece. With several pieces in different places, you prevent jostling and squabbles. Hang chew toys on the bars, so they stay dry and clean.

Rotate regularly, but don't change everything at once. Add a new piece now and then and remove a piece that has been gnawed down. That keeps things interesting while the enclosure stays recognisable for your degus. You can also hide branches and roots in the hay or in the bedding. Then gnawing becomes foraging too.

Keeping gnawing wood clean and replacing it

Gnawing wood doesn't last forever, and it doesn't need to. Replace a piece when it has become wet or dirty, when it smells musty or when it has sharp points and splinters. Don't place gnawing wood where your degus pee; wet wood quickly goes musty. Store branches and roots in a dry, airy place and keep the Zooply pack well sealed.

Useful combinations

Gnawing wood makes the enclosure more complete in combination with:

• Hay: unlimited Zooply hay remains the most important thing for front and cheek teeth.
• Hay racks: push apple or willow twigs between the hay for an extra challenge.
• Dried herbs: Zooply leaves and flowers as a sugar-free change.
• Degu scaping: cork, roots and branches for a naturally furnished enclosure.
• Cages: a spacious enclosure made of metal and glass that can take a knock.

Frequently asked questions about gnawing wood for degus

Is gnawing wood enough to keep my degu's teeth short?

No. For the cheek teeth, long chewing on hay is the most important thing, so hay must always be available without limit. Gnawing wood helps with the front teeth and mainly provides something to do. If you see your degu having trouble eating, drooling or losing weight, or if the front teeth are crooked or too long, go to a vet with knowledge of rodents.

How much gnawing wood does a small group of degus need?

Make sure there are always more pieces than there are degus, spread across the enclosure. A few branches, a chew toy on the bars and a piece of bark wood is a good start. If you notice that everything is gone within a few days, you have fanatical gnawers and more is perfectly fine. You can give natural branches such as Zooply Apple Branches daily.

My degu doesn't gnaw the wood. Is that a problem?

Not necessarily. Some degus prefer gnawing on branches with bark rather than smooth, processed wood, or prefer a particular spot. Try a different shape, such as Zooply Dandelion Roots or thin willow twigs, and put it near a spot where your degu likes to sit. If your degu eats hay well and its teeth are fine, there is no reason for concern.

Can I give branches from my own garden?

You can, but only if you know for certain which tree it is and that it has not been sprayed. Branches of apple, willow and birch are widely used. Wash branches, let them dry thoroughly and never take branches from unknown shrubs, ornamental plants or trees along a busy road. Zooply Apple Branches are an easy alternative where you know what you are giving.

Why does my degu gnaw at the bars?

Bar gnawing can point to boredom, too little space, too few challenges or stress. Put gnawing wood in that spot as an alternative, but also look at the whole enclosure: enough floor space and levels, hiding places, a running wheel of at least about 30 cm, a sand bath and the company of other degus. A degu that is well entertained gnaws the bars less.

Are chew toys with hay and vegetables suitable for degus?

That depends on the filling. If it consists of hay, herbs or seeds, a degu can happily play with it. If it contains carrot, fruit or a sweet coating, leave the product on the shelf for degus. Degus are prone to diabetes, and a chew toy with a sweet filling often gets eaten completely.

Gnawing wood for degus at Knaagplaza

With natural, untreated gnawing material, you give your degus a safe outlet for their urge to gnaw and hours of things to do. Zooply is our own premium brand; we use the Apple Branches and Dandelion Roots every day ourselves for our animals. Combine them with unlimited hay and a well-furnished enclosure, and your degus will have everything they need to put their teeth and their energy to good use.