Pet Breed Guide NZ
Degu
Degus are highly social and intelligent small pets, native to Chile, known for their inquisitive nature and complex communication. These active rodents thrive in groups, displaying fascinating social behaviours and requiring significant mental and physical enrichment to prevent boredom. With a lifespan of 5-9 years, they form strong bonds with their owners and can be quite interactive. Their unique needs include a strict low-sugar diet to prevent diabetes and ample opportunities for chewing and burrowing. In New Zealand, degus are generally legal to keep, making them an interesting option for Kiwi pet enthusiasts, though prospective owners must confirm current MPI and local council regulations.
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NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- moderate
- Social Needs
- groups
- Animal Type
- rodent
- Diet Type
- Species-specific small pet diet
- UVB Required
- No
There is no import health standard for degus from any country, so degus cannot be legally imported into New Zealand and are not available through NZ pet retailers or breeders. This is the same position as hamsters and gerbils. Confirm the current position with MPI before acting on overseas degu-keeping advice, and see our guides on the small rodents that can be kept here. Verified 4 September 2026. Sources: mpi.govt.nz (Bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs — only chinchillas, rabbits and guinea pigs may be imported as pets besides cats and dogs), epa.govt.nz (HSNO new organism rules)
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 5-9 years
- Origin
- Chile
- Care Focus
- Active rodent that needs enrichment, secure housing, and species-appropriate companionship.
- NZ Price
- Not available in New Zealand — there is no legal way to buy one here.
- Annual Vet Cost
- NZD $150 - $300 annually (for routine check-ups and potential minor issues, noting limited exotic vet availability)
Personality Scores
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Degus can adapt well to various New Zealand home types, from apartments to larger houses, provided they have a spacious and secure enclosure. Their active nature means they need ample room to exercise and explore within their cage, making a multi-level setup ideal. Climate considerations are important: while they can tolerate a range of temperatures, they are sensitive to extreme heat and humidity, which can be a concern in places like Auckland during summer. In colder regions, particularly the South Island, ensuring their enclosure is kept in a warm, draught-free environment is crucial. They are not suited for outdoor living in NZ. There are no specific regional restrictions on keeping degus in New Zealand, but owners should always check with their local council as bylaws can vary. Legally sourcing degus in NZ typically involves purchasing from reputable breeders or pet stores that specialise in small pets, ensuring the animals are healthy and ethically bred.
NZ legal status not yet verified against MPI, EPA, DOC and regional council records. Don't treat this page as confirmation that the species can legally be imported, bought, sold, bred or kept in New Zealand — check those official sources first.
About the Degu
Degus, scientifically known as Octodon degus, are captivating small rodents originating from the arid scrublands of Chile. These highly social and intelligent animals have gained popularity as pets due due to their engaging personalities and relatively long lifespan of 5-9 years. They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, which makes them more interactive pets for many owners compared to nocturnal rodents. Degus are naturally accustomed to living in large, complex social groups, and replicating this environment is crucial for their well-being in captivity. They communicate through a variety of vocalisations and body language, showcasing a rich social structure. Their natural habitat involves extensive burrow systems, highlighting their need for ample digging opportunities and environmental enrichment.
What They Look Like
Degus are often described as a cross between a rat and a chinchilla, possessing a sturdy, compact body, typically measuring 12-20 cm long (excluding their tail), and weighing between 170-300 grams. Their fur is dense and soft, usually a grizzled brown-grey on their back, fading to a lighter grey or cream on their belly. They have large, dark eyes, prominent ears, and small, five-toed paws adapted for digging and grasping. A distinctive feature is their long, tufted tail, which can be up to 16 cm long. This tail is fragile and can 'deglove' (shed its skin) if handled improperly, a natural defence mechanism to escape predators.
Personality & Behaviour
Degu personality is marked by high intelligence, curiosity, and a strong social drive. They are naturally inquisitive, constantly exploring their surroundings, and can be quite playful. In a group setting, they exhibit complex social interactions, including grooming each other, huddling for warmth, and communicating through a range of chirps, squeaks, and barks. Degus are excellent chewers, a behaviour essential for keeping their continuously growing teeth in check, and they require a constant supply of safe chew toys. They are also avid burrowers and enjoy tunnelling. With consistent, gentle handling from a young age, degus can become very tame and enjoy interacting with their human companions, often recognising their owners and responding to their voices. They are not typically aggressive but can nip if startled or feeling threatened.
Life in New Zealand
In New Zealand, degus cannot legally be imported — no import health standard exists for them from any country — and they are not available from NZ breeders or pet shops. However, prospective owners must always verify the most current regulations with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and their local council. This ensures compliance with any specific regional bylaws or updated biosecurity measures. There is no lawful NZ source for degus — treat any local listing with extreme caution and report suspected illegal imports to MPI. Given NZ's varied climate, from Auckland's humidity to the South Island's colder temperatures, degu enclosures must be adaptable, providing stable temperatures and protection from extremes. Their social nature means they should ideally be kept in groups, requiring larger enclosures than solitary small pets. Access to specialised exotic veterinary care can be limited in some parts of New Zealand, a factor owners should consider when taking on a degu.
Is This the Right Pet for You?
Bringing a degu into your home is a significant commitment. Their social needs mean they thrive in groups, so consider acquiring at least two. They require a spacious, secure enclosure with plenty of opportunities for climbing, burrowing, and chewing. Their intelligence demands constant mental stimulation through toys and interaction to prevent boredom and destructive behaviours. Degus have specific dietary requirements, particularly a low-sugar diet, which is crucial for their health and longevity. While generally friendly, they are not ideal for very young children who might handle them too roughly. Owners must be prepared for daily care, including feeding, spot cleaning, and weekly full cage cleaning. If you're looking for an active, intelligent, and social small pet that offers unique companionship and are prepared for their specific care needs, a degu could be a wonderful addition to your Kiwi home.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Degus communicate using a complex range of vocalisations, including chirps, squeaks, and warning barks.
Fact 2
They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, unlike many other small rodents.
Fact 3
Degus can 'deglove' their tail as a defence mechanism, shedding the skin to escape predators.
Fact 4
They are highly susceptible to diabetes if fed a high-sugar diet, often developing cataracts as a symptom.
Fact 5
Degus use dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy, similar to chinchillas.
Related Breeds
Abyssinian Guinea Pig
The Abyssinian is the rosetted guinea pig: at least eight whorls of coarse, short to medium fur set across the shoulders, back and hips, giving every animal its own tousled pattern in colours from black, white, cream and red through tortoiseshell-and-white and roan. Adults weigh around 700 to 1200 grams and live four to seven years. Abyssinians tend to be more outgoing and mischievous than smooth-coated guinea pigs, busy and talkative animals that wheek at feeding time, purr while being stroked, and popcorn about the cage in sudden joyful jumps. They are strongly social and should live with at least one other guinea pig. Daily needs are straightforward: unlimited hay, vitamin C-rich vegetables such as capsicum and parsley, a measured serving of pellets, spot-cleaning, and an hour of supervised floor time. The coat itself asks little beyond routine checks. A good match for a family wanting an interactive small pet with plenty of personality.
African Pygmy Hedgehog
The African Pygmy Hedgehog cannot legally be kept as a pet in New Zealand — there is no lawful import route (MPI allows only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from the UK), and DOC treats hedgehogs in NZ as an animal pest that preys on native lizards, invertebrates and ground-nesting birds. This page explains the species and the NZ legal reality; it is not a care guide for keeping one here. Typical lifespan overseas is 3-6 years.
American Guinea Pig
The American is the short-coated cavy, the classic guinea pig: a dense, smooth coat lying flat against a stout, compact body of about 700 g to 1.2 kg and 20 to 25 cm, with short legs and no visible tail. Colours range from solid black, white, cream and red through agouti, roan and brindle, and lifespan is typically 4 to 7 years. Temperament is docile and friendly. These are sociable animals that live best in pairs or small groups, communicating by wheeking, purring and rumbling, and often shy at first until patient handling builds trust. Grooming stays minimal thanks to the short coat, so daily work is diet and hygiene: unlimited hay, fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C such as leafy greens and broccoli, a measured portion of fortified pellets, spot-cleaning, and 30 to 60 minutes of supervised floor time. Nails need trimming monthly. A sound match for first-time small-pet homes and for families with gentle, well-coached children.
Chinchilla
The Chinchilla is a dense-furred rodent from the Andes of South America, active mainly at dawn and dusk and unusually long-lived for a small pet at fifteen to twenty years. Adults weigh roughly 400 to 800 grams, with a body of 25-35 cm plus a bushy tail, and coats running from the standard grey through beige, white, black and sapphire. Character is curious, agile and playful rather than cuddly: chinchillas would mostly rather climb, explore and chew than sit on a lap, and they turn skittish without calm, regular handling. They are social animals, usually kept in same-sex pairs or small groups. Care is specific, meaning a tall multi-level cage, a daily dust bath of ten to fifteen minutes, unlimited timothy hay with chinchilla-formulated pellets, and a room held below 25C, because heat is genuinely dangerous to them. A long-term pet for a patient household, not a starter animal.