Degu Feeds-
Degu Nature

CURRENT FEED VERSION

OLD FEED VERSION

Versele-Laga make this feed and there are two types, a newly formulated and much improved current version ('Degu Nature') and an old version ('Degus Nature' which was part of their Prestige Nature Fibre & Herb range)- see pictures of packaging above. It is stocked by some pet shops in griplock bags for freshness. Sizes available: 750 g and 2.5 kg

>Ingredients<

CURRENT FEED VERSION
Derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables (min. 11.5 % of which 36 % carrots, 5 % Jerusalem artichoke and 6 % parsnip), vegetable protein extracts, minerals, seeds (min. 1 % of which 91 % linseed), yeast, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), herbs, marigold extract, marigold, algae, yucca extract, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), grape seed extract.

Note: Contains Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS). These are NOT sugar compounds and may actually be beneficial for diabetic degus. Also contains EC permitted additives, Jerusalem artichoke and saponins in the form of yucca extract which inhibit yeast growth. The use of saponins in feeds is still subject to some controversy (see the feed trial in the articles section).

OLD FEED VERSION
Alfalfa, wheat, corn, flax fibre, carob, peas, banana, flax, rose hip, dried grape, carrots, leek, salt, minerals, amino acids (source: Werquin, 2006*).

Note: This feed IS NOT SUGAR FREE- it contains whole, dried fruit (banana, raisins and carob). The feed also contains salt. 

>Nutritional analysis<

>Specific feeding advice<

CURRENT VERSION
This new formulation is much more suitable for degus than the old one, not only is the total sugars content much lower, it also has improved vitamin C and E levels. The vitamin C levels are still a little low and can be supplemented by feeding fresh vegetable matter occasionally which is high in this, such as rosehips, red peppers, parsley and broccoli.

Note that Jerusalem artichoke is included as a vegetable in this feed, these tubers can cause bloating so watch for signs of this when first giving this feed. Signs of bloating include a distended abdomen, straining/constipation or diarrhoea and passing gas.

OLD VERSION
This feed IS NOT SUGAR FREE and it is not recommended that degus are fed this as a regular diet without first removing all the bits of dried fruit. Degus fed regularly on a diet including sugar-containing foods (such as dried fruit) are at a high risk of developing diabetes and related problems (see the diet section). If giving this feed, it is important NOT to provide it ad lib. in order to allow the degus time to metabolise the sugars from their system. This feed is NOT recommended for diabetic degus.

Personal communication with the nutritionists at Versele-Laga confirmed that vitamin C was not included in this feed (Werquin, 2006*), although the food does contain rose hips, a natural source of vitamin C. It is currently assumed that degus need dietary vitamin C as they are unable to make it (like their close relatives the Guinea pig and chinchilla), so when feeding this diet it is essential to supplement their feed with fresh vegetables containing vitamin C, such as rosehips, red peppers, parsley and broccoli. The vitamin E levels are also a little low, so you can supplement with corn, spinach and sunflower seeds (although sunflower seeds are high in fats and protein).