Degu Trouble

Hi, I just got a Degu yesterday, and everything seemed fine till last
night. I gave him the day to get settled into his new home, I then talked
to him softly for a while, but when I went to pet him, he started growling
at me, and tried to bite me no matter what I tried to do. I am not being in
anyway aggressive with him to scare him, but I can't just put my hand out
for him to come to me, he has already chomped me once doing that. I was
thinking of just continuing to talk to him softly over the next few days and
maybe try hand feeding him a carrot or small treat every now and then. Has
anyone here heard of a Degu being so aggressive before, and have any
suggestions? I did alot of internet research and read that Degus rarely
bite, so I am a bit at a loss. Any help would be appreciated. By the way.
He is about 1-1/2 years old and has not been caged with any other Degus for
about the last 3 months, from what the store told me. He seemed pretty ok
before I got him. I went to the store several times over the last few days
to handle him and get to know him and visa versa. Thanks in advance.

Alex

Sounds like one of the two we added a while ago. They joined the pair we
had had for a
year, but were socialized at the pet store. One of them was friendly, the
other still has not
allowed us to even touch her. The friendly one has showed the first two
that they will not be
harmed if we hold them, and the three of them will occasionally submit to
being picked up.
They will climb around on our shirtsleeves, etc. but don't especially like
it. The fourth of our girls
will ONLY come towards our hands if we are holding some food treat for her.
Other than that,
whenever we even go near the cage door, she scurries to hide. Don't feel
bad, she may come around.

Eric (typing on behalf of: Fluffy, Speedy, Tigger & Nibbler <aka Silky>)

"Alex" <kpetersen.DeleteThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:HYSnb.216593$9l5.59076@pd7tw2no...

> anyone here heard of a Degu being so aggressive before, and have any
> suggestions? I did alot of internet research and read that Degus rarely
> bite, so I am a bit at a loss. Any help would be appreciated. By the
> way.
> He is about 1-1/2 years old and has not been caged with any other Degus
> for
> about the last 3 months, from what the store told me. He seemed pretty ok
> before I got him. I went to the store several times over the last few
> days
> to handle him and get to know him and visa versa. Thanks in advance.
>
> Alex
>
>