If you’re researching your next pocket pet, you may have wondered what the similarities and differences are between rats and degus.
The two are actually very similar in terms of their habitat, enrichment, and social needs. But degus live more than twice as long as pet rats, eat a more specialized diet, and take regular dust baths. Degus are also said to be less smelly than pet rats.
Degus are small rodents that come from from Chile in South America. Scientifically known as Octodon degus, they make popular pets and are known for their friendly and social nature, just like rats!
Degus are similar in size to a rat, but are rounder and more compact. Their furrier tails might be a selling point for people who get grossed out by rat tails!
Similarities between rats and degus
- Social Animals: Both rats and degus are highly social creatures and thrive the best in groups. They’re both friendly towards humans, enjoy spending time with them, cuddling and being petted. They can form strong bonds with their owners.
- Intelligence: Rats and degus are intelligent and can be taught tricks or commands.
- Activity Levels: Both species need daily exercise and mental stimulation. They both love to run, dig, forage, jump, and climb.
- Chewing: They both have continuously growing teeth, and need a steady supply of hard materials to chew on to keep their teeth worn down.
Differences between rats and degus
| Criteria | Rats | Degus |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Typically 9-11 inches in length (not including tail) | A bit smaller than rats. 5-7 inches in length (not including tail) |
| Diet | Omnivorous, require a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and small amounts of lean proteins. | Herbivorous, require a diet high in fiber: hay, grasses, some leafy greens and fresh herbs. |
| Cage | Rats need at least 2 – 2.5 cubic feet per rat. Their cage should have opportunities to dig, climb, nest, etc. | Degus need a similar size cage as pet rats, with vertical climbing space, and room to dig. |
| Noise Level | Generally quiet, can make squeaking noises when playing with other rats. | Tend to be more vocal than rats, with a range of different noises for communicating happiness, alerting danger, etc. Still overall a pretty quiet pet. |
| Lifespan | Approximately 2-3 years | Can live 5-8 years |
| Smell | Can have a noticeable smell if their cage is not cleaned regularly. | Less noticeable smell, but still requires regular cage cleaning. |
| Maintenance Required | Requires daily interaction and stimulation, weekly cage cleaning. | Requires daily interaction, regular exercise, and weekly cage cleaning. |
| Grooming Needs | Self-grooming, minimal assistance needed. | Self-grooming, but enjoy regular dust baths. |
| Temperament | Shy at first, but later social and friendly, can form strong bonds with their owners. | Social and curious, can be cautious with strangers but form strong bonds with their owners. |
| Exercise Needs | Need daily out-of-cage exercise and stimulation, and cage design that allows them to climb. | Need daily exercise, both in their cage (running wheel) and outside of it. |
| Common Health Concerns | Respiratory issues, tumors, head tilts | Liver disease, diabetes, dental disease |
| Vet Care Cost | Generally lower due to shorter lifespan, but can still be quite expensive. | Potentially higher due to longer lifespan and more specialized care. |
| Cohabitation with Other Animals | Rats need to be kept in pairs or groups, because they get lonely and depressed when kept alone. | Degus also need to be kept with other degus. They can become depressed and ill when kept alone, and may not live as long without companionship. |
| Training | Can be potty trained, trained to respond to their names and do simple tricks. | Often use their dust bath as a bathroom! Can be trained to respond to their names and do simple tricks. |
| Sleep Schedule | Most active at dawn and dusk, but nap a lot through the day and night. Can adjust to your schedule. | Like humans, degus are diurnal – most active during the day, and prefer to sleep at night. |
| Destructiveness | Can chew on wires, furniture, etc. if not given enough chew toys. | Likely to chew on everything, should be provided with plenty of chew toys. |
So which is the right pet for you? Both rats and degus have very similar cage size and design requirements, social needs, and maintenance routines. They are both highly involved with their caregivers, and can form strong bonds with them.
While degus are naturally awake during the day, pet rats tend to adjust to their owner’s sleep schedules anyway. So which one you get will probably come down to these factors:
Pick a pet rat if…
- You want a pet who can share your (healthy) diet with you! Rats are omnivorous, so they eat just about everything we do. As long as you eat pretty healthy, you can feed them a tiny portion of whatever you’re having for dinner.
- You don’t want to make a long time commitment. Rats’ shorter lifespans may be more attractive if you only want a pet for next few years.
Pick a degu if…
- You want a pet who’s a vegetarian! While rats can get along okay on a meat-free diet, degus are dedicated herbivores.
- You want a pet who will live a long time. Degus have more than double the expected lifespan of a pet rat.
- You don’t like the way pet rats smell. Degus tend to have less noticeable odor than pet rats, unless you go a long time without cleaning their cage.
Conclusion
Both rats and degus make wonderful pets with their own unique qualities. They share similarities in terms of their social nature, intelligence, activity levels, and dental needs. However, there are some notable differences to consider when choosing between the two.
Ultimately, the decision between a rat and a degu will depend on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and the specific qualities you’re looking for in a pet.
Consider their dietary needs, lifespan, odor levels, and your own preferences to make an informed choice. Whichever you choose, both rats and degus can bring joy, companionship, and entertainment to your life as beloved pocket pets.
