How Much Does Degu Ownership Really Cost?
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Degus are affordable individually, and the budgeting point with this species is that "individually" isn't how you should be thinking about the purchase at all.
The Degu: $10 to $50 Each
Whether from a breeder, pet store, or rescue, individual degus run $10 to $50, with adoption fees often landing at the lower end. Since this species is obligately social, plan on at least a same-sex pair from day one rather than a single degu. Two degus at $10 to $50 each is the real starting line, not the single-animal price tag most first-time buyers plan around.
Upfront Setup: $415 to $675
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Tall multi-level cage, 28x18x28 in minimum for a pair | $280 - $375 |
| 12-14 in solid exercise wheel | $30 - $75 |
| Dust bath house | $15 - $30 |
| Hideouts and tunnels | $5 - $30 |
| Water bottle and food dishes | $5 - $15 |
| Digital thermometer | $10 - $35 |
| Paper-based bedding | $15 - $30 |
| First supply of grass hay | $15 - $30 |
| Mineral or lava chew blocks | $10 - $20 |
| Ventilated, hard-sided carrier | $30 - $35 |
| Setup total | $415 - $675 |
Typical price ranges across retailers.
A large multi-level cage is the main expense and most of the total on its own, alongside a solid exercise wheel, bedding, hides, and a dust bath. Add the pair of degus on top of the equipment figure.
Ongoing Costs: Modest
Hay, low-sugar pellets, and bedding make up the monthly cost, comparable to other small rodents:
| Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Grass hay (unlimited) | $20 - $25 |
| Sugar-free degu or chinchilla pellets | $40 - $70 |
| Chinchilla dust (ongoing) | $10 - $25 |
| Chew toys (mineral/pumice) | $5 - $15 |
| Bedding | $20 - $30 |
| Exotic vet check, including dental | $80 - $160 |
Typical price ranges across retailers.
One cost worth flagging early: sugary treats and fruit are off the table for this species, which actually keeps the diet-related budget simpler, not more expensive.
Vet Costs
You'll want an exotics-experienced vet. The two most likely reasons for a vet visit, dental work for overgrown teeth and diabetes management, both come up often enough in this species to budget for proactively rather than treating as a remote possibility.
Lifespan: Long for a Small Rodent
5 to 9 years in captivity, against an animal that seldom passes 2 years in the wild, where it is prey. Chinchillas, a similarly long-lived small pet, typically run even longer at 10 to 20 years, and that extra decade, along with a nocturnal schedule against the degu's daytime one, is what a degu set against a chinchilla comes down to.
This is notably longer than many small rodents, longer than a hamster, and worth sitting with as a real multi-year commitment before buying a pair. A hamster's cost math resets every year or two; a degu's setup is something you're likely living with for the better part of a decade.
The Honest Budgeting Takeaway
The individual animal's low price tag doesn't reflect the ask here, which is two animals, a spacious cage built for a social pair, and a diet that requires real discipline around sugar. None of this is expensive in absolute terms, but it's more than the sticker price on a single degu suggests. The gerbil is the other social, day-active rodent sold in pairs, and a pair of gerbils costs far less to house for a much shorter commitment; Two Pets Where You're Really Buying a Pair weighs the two side by side.
The Degu encyclopedia profile covers the Chilean scrubland colonies that make a pair the starting unit.
Sources & Further Reading
Last reviewed 24 Sep 2026 · 3 sources
Put these numbers in a budget you can fill in. The Universal Pet Kit has it, among 19 forms for any pet that you can type into or print.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a degu itself cost?
$10 to $50 each, whether from a breeder, pet store, or rescue, with adoption fees often landing at the lower end. Because degus are obligately social, budget for at least a same-sex pair from the start rather than one animal.
What does a full degu setup cost upfront?
Roughly $415 to $675 of equipment to house a pair properly, before the animals. Most of that is the large multi-level cage, with a solid exercise wheel, bedding, hides, and a dust bath setup behind it.
What are the ongoing monthly costs for a pair of degus?
Modest, and comparable to other small rodents. Hay, low-sugar pellets, and bedding make up most of it. Sugary treats and fruit are off the table for this species, which keeps the diet budget simpler rather than more expensive.
How much does degu vet care cost?
You'll want an exotics-experienced vet. Dental work for overgrown teeth and diabetes management are the two most likely reasons for a visit, common enough in this species to budget for proactively rather than treat as a remote possibility.
How long do degus live, and how does that affect the cost math?
5 to 9 years in captivity, against a wild animal that seldom passes 2 years. That's longer than many small rodents, the hamster included, so treat a pair as a multi-year commitment.
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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