Looking squeaky clean!
What Is a Sand Bath?
A sand bath is exactly what it sounds like: a container filled with fine, dust-free sand where your degu can roll, dig, and groom itself. Unlike water baths, which can be harmful and stressful to degus, sand baths allow them to clean themselves naturally, mimicking they way they would in the wild.
Why not use water baths?
Water baths are bad for degus as their fur is not waterproof and takes a long time to dry if they get wet. This creates several risks:
- Their small bodies can get a chill or hypothermia very quickly, even in mild temperatures.
- It disrupts the natural oils in their coat, which can make their fur greasy, matted or dull, leading to discomfort and skin problems.
- They can develop respiratory infections, as they are very sensitive to moisture and cold.
- It is not natural for them to be in water, and most degus don’t tolerate water well, so it can make them extremely stressed, which can weaken their immune system.
Why sand baths are important for degus:
| Promotes Healthy Fur Degus have dense fur that can easily become oily or matted. Rolling in sand helps remove excess oils, shed fur, parasites, dirt, and debris, keeping their coats clean, fluffy, and healthy. Without regular sand baths, a degu’s fur can become greasy and prone to skin problems. | Prevents Skin Irritation and Infections A dirty coat can lead to skin irritation, fungal infections, and other dermatological issues. A regular sand bath routine helps reduce the buildup of bacteria and moisture that can cause these issues. |
| Supports Natural Behaviour In the wild, degus live in arid environments where they naturally clean themselves by rolling in dry soil and dust. Providing a sand bath supports this instinctive grooming behaviour, keeping them both physically and mentally healthy. | Provides Enrichment and Stress Relief Sand baths are more than just functional — they’re fun! Rolling and digging in sand is a form of environmental enrichment that helps reduce boredom and stress. Watching a degu go wild in the sand is also a joy for owners to witness. |
How to Set Up a Sand Bath for Your Degu:
Setting up a sand bath is simple, but a few key points will help ensure it’s safe and effective:
- Use the Right Sand
Only use chinchilla sand or fine, dust-free bathing sand labelled safe for small animals. Never use regular sand or dust, as it can be too coarse or contain particles that can irritate your degu’s eyes and respiratory system.
2. Choose a Suitable Container
Use a shallow, stable container that’s large enough for your degu to roll around in comfortably but not too deep that they can’t get in and out easily. Ceramic dishes, glass containers, or sturdy plastic tubs with low sides all work well.
3. Frequency Matters
Offer the sand bath 2–3 times per week for about 10–20 minutes at a time. Leaving it in the cage permanently can lead to overuse or contamination from urine and faeces. Degus that over-bathe may dry out their skin.
4. Clean Regularly
Sift out any debris and replace the sand frequently to prevent bacterial buildup. Always discard the sand if it becomes soiled.
Bathing sand quality
The type and grade of bathing sand that you use for your degus is also important. Use bathing-grade, unscented chinchilla sand made from sepiolite, which is a clay-based mineral.
Why sepiolite?
- Sepiolite sand has a fine, soft texture which is gentle on skin.
- It’s also highly absorbent, so great for soaking up excess moisture and oils from their fur.
- It doesn’t clump or stick to fur like other clays such as bentonite.
Do not use normal sand that is quartz based or dust, as the particles are larger and its too coarse and sharp, so can scratch and damage the skin, or irritate your degus eyes and respiratory system. Also avoid scented sands, which can irritate degus sensitive respiratory system.
How to choose the best sepiolite sand to use?
Dust-Free / Low-Dust:
- While degus need to bathe, excessively dusty or powdered products can pose respiratory risks to them.
- Choose a product that is specifically designed for small rodents, preferably labelled as “dust-free” or with a low-dust formulation to minimize airborne particles.
Purity and Cleanliness:
- Choose 100% natural, purified sepiolite without additives, perfumes, or chemicals.
- Make sure it’s free of clay clumps, sharp particles, or silica dust.
If your degu isn’t using the sand bath, try a different type of sand, a new container, or place it at a different time of day.
Sand baths are a vital part of caring for a pet degu — not a luxury, but a necessity. They keep your degu’s coat healthy, prevent skin issues, and offer fun, enriching stimulation that supports natural behaviour. By including regular sand baths in your degu’s care routine, you’re not only keeping them clean, but also happy and healthy.
You must be logged in to post a comment.