Pet Breed Guide NZ
Degu
Degus are a social, diurnal Chilean rodent kept widely overseas — but there is no import health standard covering them from any country, so they cannot be legally brought into New Zealand and are not sold here. Treat what you read about degus from NZ as background: the small social rodents actually available locally are guinea pigs and rabbits. Where degus are kept, the two defining risks are diet-related diabetes and continuously growing teeth.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- moderate
- Social Needs
- groups
- Animal Type
- rodent
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.
NZ Lifestyle Fit
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
Fancy Mouse
Fancy mice are legal to keep in New Zealand and are the smallest of the common pet rodents here. They need genuinely secure housing, deep bedding to burrow in, and careful, patient handling — they are watchers more than cuddlers. Health issues to watch are respiratory infection, skin mites and tumours in older females. Typical lifespan is 1-3 years.
Fancy Rat
Fancy rats are the standard pet rat kept in New Zealand and are legal to keep here. They are highly social and need company of their own kind plus daily out-of-cage time — a single rat in a bare cage is a welfare problem, not a saving. The two health issues to plan for are respiratory infection (Mycoplasma pulmonis) and mammary tumours in older females. Typical lifespan is 2-3 years.
Hairless Rat (Sphynx Rat)
Hairless (Sphynx) rats are a coatless fancy rat variety. Pet rats are legal in NZ, but hairless rats are not present in New Zealand's closed rat gene pool (importing rats is banned) — NZ rats come in standard and NZ Angora coats only. The missing coat is not just cosmetic: skin dryness, cuts and infections are ongoing concerns on top of the usual rat respiratory problems, and typical lifespan is 1-3 years — shorter than a coated rat’s. Best suited to keepers who already have rat experience.
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.
Lionhead Rabbit
The Lionhead is a small rabbit named for the woolly mane that rings its head, ears and chin, and on some individuals runs down the chest and flanks; a single mane sits around the head alone, while a double mane carries far more wool. Developed in Belgium during the 1990s from a Swiss Fox and Netherland Dwarf cross, it is a compact breed of roughly 1.1 to 1.7 kg with a typical lifespan of 7 to 10 years. The temperament is sweet, good-natured and inquisitive; many Lionheads are shy at first and settle with patient, gentle handling, and as social animals most do best alongside a desexed companion. Care is hands-on rather than heavy: a hay-led diet, secure housing, three to four hours of supervised free-roaming in a rabbit-proofed space each day, and weekly grooming so the mane does not mat. It suits a household ready to keep a pair and to stay on top of coat care.
Rex Rabbit
The Rex is a medium rabbit from France whose coat sets it apart: a natural mutation shortens the guard hairs to the length of the undercoat, so the fur is dense, plush and feels like velvet. It appears in solid blacks, whites and reds as well as broken and Californian patterns, with adults weighing roughly 3.4 to 4.8 kg and living about five to six years. Rex rabbits are typically calm and affectionate, quiet in the house, curious without being frantic, and clever enough to learn routines, answer to a name and use a litter tray. They are social and settle best in bonded pairs. Care is mostly routine: unlimited hay as the bulk of the diet, fresh leafy greens, a small pellet ration, gentle brushing to stop the plush coat matting, and two to three hours of supervised free-roaming daily, ideally with a digging box. A steady, affectionate rabbit for an owner able to commit to daily handling.