Edible food and plants for degus

Octodon degus are herbivorous and folivorous animals and many foods are edible for them. Their natural diet consists mainly of leaves, roots, flowers and some seeds ^{01 02}. In captivity, it is essential to offer them a diet adapted to their species and to know how to feed them. A varied diet, with a Ca:P ratio of 2:1⁰³ can prevent most dental problems in degus⁰⁴. They also need a wide variety of food to choose from and to maintain natural chewing behaviour⁰⁵.

Fruits and vegetables (excluding leafy greens) should not be part of an degus’ diet, as they don’t meet its needs and are potentially harmful.

Illustration by ValoniaArt

One must be particularly when collecting plants to identify them. It is essential to find, identify and verify the species of the plant correctly, as well as to check its potential toxicity.

Edible foods

Calcium-rich foods

These plants can be fed to the degus without any limitation. It can be interesting to offer them a wide variety of freshly picked plants so that they can take full advantage of the benefits of these plants in terms of vitamins and minerals. Ideally, a selection of these plants should be fed on a daily basis, adjusting the amounts to a Ca:P ratio of 2:1.

Name	Ratio Ca:P
Alfalfa	7,8:1
Oregano	7,5:1
Plantain	6,8:1
Fenugreek	6,6:1
Comfrey	6,5:1
Weeping willow	6,1:1
Tarragon	05:01
Hibiscus	5,8:1
Jerusalem artichoke	5,6:1
Bird's-foot trefoil	4,9:1
Carrot (leaves)	4,6:1
Stork's beak	4,6:1
Turnip (leaves)	4,5:1
Trefoil	4,4:1
Amaranth	4,3:1
Red clover	4,2
Safflower	4,1:1
Arugula	3:1
Oak (leaf)	3:1
Sainfoin	03:01
White clover	3:1
Fireweed (leaves)	3,9:1
Lupulin alfalfa	3,9:1
Vine (leaf)	3,9:1
Rosemary	3,8:1
Thyme	3,8:1
Winged bean (leaves)	3,6:1
Dill	3,6
Basil	3,2:1
Desmodium	3,2:1
Celosia	3,1:1
Spinach	02:01
Chinese cabbage (bok choi)	2,9:1
Common chickweed	2,9:1
Vetch (leaf)	2,9:1
Beet (leaves)	2,8:1
Dandelion	2,8:1
Common vetch	2,7:1
Cabbage Pe-Tsai	2,6:1
Leucosphaera bainesii	2,5:1
Mustard (leaf)	2,3:1
Parsley	2,3:1
Chicory (leaves)	2,1:1
Endive	1,8:1
Borage	1,7:1
Cabbage	1,5:1
Celery (leaves)	1,5:1
Chives	1,5:1
Red cabbage	1,5:1
Cilantro (leaves)	1,3:1
Lettuce Romaine	1,2:1
Red Lettuce	1,2:1
Green lettuce	1,1:1
Lettuce	1,1:1

Edible foods

Name	Scientific name	Remarks
Abyssinian banana	Ensete ventricosum
Alchemilla of the Alps	Alchemilla alpina
Alfalfa / Cultivated alfalfa	Medicago sativa
Allegheny milfoil	Alliaria petiolata
Allegheny mountain avens	Lobularia maritima
Alpine fleabane	Erigeron alpinus
Alpine Speedwell	Veronica serpyllifolia
Amaranth	Amaranthus	Quantity to be limited
Annual fleabane	Erigeron annuus	Invasive plant
Annual fleabane	Erigeron annuus
Annual Lunaria / Pope's Mint	Lunaria annua	To be given in small quantities
Anthyllides vulnéraire	Anthyllis vulneraria
Aposeris	Aposeris foetida
Apple tree	Malus domestica	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible. Do not give the seeds.
Armenian Bramble	Rubus discolor	Beware of thorns fruits as treats
Aronia	Aronia melanocarpa
Arroche des jardins	Atriplex hortensis
Artichoke	Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Cynara scolymus
Ash tree	Fraxinus
Aspen	Populus tremula
Aster modestus	Aster modestus
Aster ponceau	Symphyotrichum puniceum
Attic fleabane	Erigeron atticus
Balsil musk	Clinopodium Vulgare
Balsil wild	Ocimum basilicum sp.
Basil cinnamon	Ocimum basilicum	To be given in small quantities
Basil purple	Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'
Bastard clover	Trifolium hybridum	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Bean (all types)	Phaseolus sp	Avoid fruits, too rich
Bean winged	Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Beet	Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris	Leaves only
Bell pepper	Capsicum annuum	Leaves to be preferred vegetables as treats
Birdsfoot trefoil	Sorbus aucuparia	Inedible fruit plant and leaves ok.
Biscutella	Biscutella laevigata
Bitter orange	Bidens cernua	To be given in small quantities
Black alder	Alnus glutinosa
Black mulberry	Morus nigra
Blackthorn	Prunus spinosa	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible. Poisonous seeds
Blueberry	Centaurea cyanus
Borage	Borago officinalis
Bramble remarkable	Rubus spectabilis	Fruits should not be given.
Broccoli	Brassica oleracea var. italica	Leaves, vegetable to be avoided (treat)
Bromus / Brome	Bromus sp.
Brussels sprouts	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Buckwheat	Fagopyrum esculentum	Seeds only as treats
Buenos Air fleabane	Conyza bonariensis
Burnet	Sanguisorba minor
Cabbage	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Cabbage (all types)	Brassica sp	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Cabbage fresh	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Cabbage kale	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Cabbage romanesco	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Cabbage white	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
California poppy	Eschscholzia californica
Campanula agglomerate	Campanula glomerata	Give in small doses
Campanula false raiponce	Campanula rapunculoides	Give in small dose
Campanula scheuchzeri	Campanula scheuchzeri	Give in small doses
Campanula thyrsoides	Campanula thyrsoides	To be given in small quantities
Campanula witasekiana	Campanula witasekiana	Give in small doses
Campanula with Cochlear leaves	Campanula cochleariifolia	Give in small doses
Canada fleabane	Erigeron canadensis
Canary seed	Phalaris canariensis
Caraway / Cumin	Carum carvi
Cardamine amara	Cardamine amara
Cardamine bulbifera	Cardamine bulbifera
Cardamine flexuosa	Cardamine flexuosa
Cardamine hirsute	Cardamine hirsuta
Cardamine meadowsweet	Cardamine pratensis
Cardamine oligosperma	Cardamine oligosperma	Give in small doses
Cardamine pentaphyllos	Cardamine pentaphyllos
Cardamine trifolia	Cardamine trifolia
Cardamine with nine leaves	Cardamine enneaphyllos	Give in small dose
Carmine endive	Cychorium intybus
Carob tree	Ceratonia siliqua	Fruits to be given as treats only. Edible leaves and wood.
Carrots	Daucus carota subsp. sativus	Vegetables as treats only, leaves ok.
Cauliflower orange	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Celery	Apium graveolens
Celery root	Apium graveolens var. rapaceum	Leaves (vegetable for treats)
Celosia	Celosia
Centaurea nigra	centaurea nigra
Centaurea pseudophrygia	Centaurea pseudophrygia
Centaurea scabious	Centaurea scabiosa
Centaury of the mountains	Centaurea montana
Chard / Swiss chard	Beta vulgaris
Cherry plum	Prunus cerasifera	Fruits not to be eaten
Cherry tree	Prunus avium
Cherry tree (all types)	Prunus sp.	Leaves and wood, fruits should not be given.
Chervil (all types)	Cirsium arvense
Chervil glossy	Anthriscus nitida	Poisonous roots
Chervil wild	Anthriscus sylvestris	May be confused with poisonous plants, be careful when identifying. Poisonous roots.
Chestnut	Castanea sativa Mill.	Edible leaves and wood. Fruits to avoid.
Chia	Salvia hispanica	Seeds only as treats
Chickweed	Galium aparine
Chicory Castellfranco
Chicory endive	Cichorium endivia
Chicory grumolo verde / Bitter Chicory
Chicory of Catalonia	Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
Chinese cabbage (bok choi)	Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Chives	Allium schoenoprasum	In small quantities
Chives (all types)	Alium sp	In small quantity
Chlorophyton chevelu	Chlorophytum comosum
Chrysanthemum (leaves)	Chrysanthemum
Cilantro	Coriandrum sativum	Seeds in SAB degu Mix
Clover of the meadows	Trifolium pratense	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Japanese quince	Chaenomeles japonica	To be given in small quantities
Coltsfoot	Tussilago farfara
Comfrey	Symphytum
Common Alchemilla	Alchemilla vulgaris
Common anthracis	Anthriscus caucalis	Toxic roots
Common barberry / St. Barbara's herb	Barbarea vulgaris
Common barley	Hordeum vulgare	Seeds only as treats
Common bean	Phaseolus vulgaris L.	Fruits should not be given leaves edible.
Common bluegrass	Poa trivialis
Common bluegrass	Poa pratensis
Common Bramble	Rubus fruticosus	Beware of thorns fruits as treats
Common Broom	Geum urbanum
Common Brunelle	Prunella vulgaris	To be given in small quantities
Common burdock	Arctium lappa
Common carnation	Dianthus caryophyllus	To be given in small quantities
Common Ceratius	Cerastium fontanum
Common chervil	Anthriscus cerefolium
Common chickweed	Lathyrus sativus
Common daisy	Leucanthemum vulgare
Common hazelnut tree	Corylus avellana
Common Hornbeam / Charmilla	Carpinus betulus
Common Lampshade	Lapsana communis
Common Millet	Panicum miliaceum	Seeds to be reserved as treats
Common thistle	Cirsium vulgare
Common toadflax	Linaria vulgaris	To be given in small quantities
Common vetch	Vicia sativa
Compagnon blanc	Silene latifolia	To be given in small quantities
Coreopsis	Coreopsis sp.
Cranesbill	Erodium cicutarium
Creeping Bugle	Ajuga reptans
Creeping callisia	Callisia repens
Creeping Potentilla	Potentilla reptans
Cress	Lepidium sativum
Cucumber	Cucumis sativus	Vegetable in treats
Cucumber (all types)	Silene dioica	To be given in small quantities
Daisy	Bellis perennis	Toxic in high doses
Dandelion	Taraxacum sp.
Daucus carrot	Daucus carota
Desmodium	Desmodium adscendens
Dianthus sternbergii	Dianthus sternbergii
Dill	Anethum graveolens
Dog rose	Rosa canina	Beware of thorns
Domestic rose (all types)	Rosa sp	Beware of thorns
Dove's foot cranesbill	Geranium columbinum
Dyer's ratongrass	Serratula tinctoria
Elongated globularia	Globularia bisnagarica
Endive	Cichorium intybus var. foliosum
Epilobium brachycarpum	Epilobium brachycarpum	Give in small quantities
Erect huckleberry	Potentilla erecta	To be given in small quantities
Erigeron peregrinus subsp. callianthemus	Erigeron peregrinus subsp. callianthemus
Eupatory agrimony	Agrimonia eupatoria
Fennel common	Foeniculum vulgare	From the root to the seeds! Be careful not to confuse with the ferula which is toxic.
Fennel purple	Foeniculum vulgare Purpureum
Fenugreek	Trigonella foenum-graecum
Field bindweed	Convolvulus arvensis
Field mint	Mentha arvensis
Field mustard	Sinapis arvensis
Field pansy	Viola arvensis	To be given in small quantities
Field Rose	Rosa arvensis	Beware of thorns
Field speedwell	Veronica arvensis
Fireweed	Epilobium angustifolium	Give in small quantities
Flowering gooseberry	Ribes sanguineum	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible.
Frutescente Potentilla	Dasiphora fruticosa
Garden cress	Barbarea verna
Gaudin's fleabane	Erigeron schleicheri
Geranium livid	Geranium phaeum
Geranium versicolor	Geranium versicolor
Giant spinach	Spinocia sp.
Giant winter spinach	Spinocia oleracea
Globularia punctata	Globularia punctata
Gloved bellflower	Campanula trachelium	Give in small dose
Golden clover	Trifolium aureum	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Golden crepid	Crepis aurea
Golden yellow turnip	Brassica rapa L
Goldenrod / Canada fleabane	Erigeron acer
Goldenrod / Canada thistle	Solidago canadensis	To be given in small quantities
Gooseberry	Ribes rubrum	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible.
Grasses	Poaceae	Except Phalaris, Sorghum (Sorghum), Lolium arundinaceum (tall fescue), English ryegrass (Lolium perenne), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and Pennisetum clandestinum (known to be toxic to livestock and/or risk of health problems).
Great nasturtium	Tropaeolum majus
Greater plantain	Plantago major
Green beans	Phaseolus vulgaris
Green cauliflower	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Green field speedwell	Veronica beccabunga
Green lettuce	Lactuca sativa sp.
Green-necked rutabaga	Brassica napus ssp. rapifera
Groundsel	Senecio sp.
Hairy galinsoge	Galinsoga quadriradiata	To be given in small quantities
Hairy stem crepis	Crepis capillaris
Hawthorn monogyne	Crataegus monogyna
Heartleaf globular	Globularia cordifolia	To be given in small quantities
Hedge bindweed	Calystegia sepium
Hedge vetch	Vicia sepium
Hibiscus	Hibiscus sp.
Hibiscus (all types)	Cenchrus alopecuroides
Hieracium porrifolium	Hieracium porrifolium
Hops	Humulus lupulus
Horseradish	Armoracia rusticana
Horticultural pansy	Viola à—wittrockiana	To be given in small quantities
Hypose	Hyssopus officinalis
Japanese Spirea	Spiraea japonica
Jerusalem artichoke	Helianthus tuberosus	Quantity to be limited
Kale (curly)	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Kale Pe-Tsai	Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Knautia drymeia	Knautia drymeia	To be given in small quantities
Knautie des champs	Knautia arvensis	To be given in small quantities
Knautie des chênaies	Knautia arvernensis
Kohlrabi	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Kohlrabi purple	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Lady's julienne	Hesperis matronalis	To be given in small quantities
Lamb's lettuce	Valerianella locusta
Lamier pourpre	Lamium purpureum	To be given in small quantities
Large-leafed broom	Geum macrophyllum	Give in small quantities
Lativa (all types)	Lactuca sativa sp.
Lavatera of a quarter	Lavatera trimestris
Leek	Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum	Quantity to be limited
Lemon balm	Melissa officinalis
Lentil	Lens culinaris	Seeds only as treats
Lettuce	Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
Lettuce (all types)	Lactuca sativa
Lettuce (all types)	Mycelis muralis	To be given in small quantities
Lettuce asparagus	Lactuca sativa var. angustana
Lettuce Lollo rossa	Latuca sativa Lollo Rossa
Lettuce oak leaf	Lactuca sativa var. crispa
Lettuce red	Lactuca sativa var.
Lettuce Romaine	Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
Lettuce sucrine	Lactuca sativa var.
Lettuce watercress / Moroccan	Lactuca sativa var.
Lettuce/Chicory Frisée	Cichorium endivia var. crispum
Leucosphaera bainesii	Leucosphaera bainesii
Linden	Tilia sp.
Lovage	Levisticum officinale
Lupuline alfalfa	Medicago lupulina
Lysimachia commune	Lysimachia vulgaris
Magnolia starry	Magnolia stellata	To be given in small quantities
Malus purpurea	Malus purpurea
Marigold	Calendula officinalis
Marjoram	Origanum majorana
Marshmallow	Althaea officinalis
Matricaria perforata or Scentless Matricaria	Tripleurospermum inodorum	To be given in small quantity
Meadow cranesbill	Geranium pratense
Meadow cress	Cynosurus cristatus
Meadow fescue	Festuca pratensis
Meadow salsify	Tragopogon pratensis
Meadowfoam	Lathyrus pratensis
Meadowsweet	Filipendula ulmaria
Melilot officinal	Melilotus officinalis	To be given in small quantity. Can be confused easily.
Mimosa of Chile	Vachellia caven
Mizuna	Brassica rapa subsp. nipposinica
Mountain clover	Trifolium montanum	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Mountain clover	Trifolium montanum	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Mufti / Wolf's mouth	Antirrhinum majus
Mulberry (all types)	Morus sp	Beware of prickles, fruit in treats
Myosote of the marsh	Myosotis scorpioides
Myrobolan	Prunus cerasifera
Nasturtium microphyllum	Nasturtium microphyllum	To be given in small quantities
Noccaea montana	Thlaspi montanum
Nootka Rose	Rosa nutkana	Beware of thorns
Oak	Quercus	Toxic acorns the species pubescent oak, pedunculate sessile and sessile are toxic.
Oats	Avena sativa	Seeds only as treats
Olive tree	Olea europaea L.	Fruits to avoid.
Orange hawkweed	Pilosella aurantiaca	To be given in small quantities
Oregano	Origanum vulgare	To be given in small quantities
Osteospermum / African daisy	Osteospermum sp.	All species are edible
Panama wood	Quillaja saponaria
Parsley	Petroselinum crispum	To be given in small quantities
Parsley flat	Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum
Parsley root	Petroselinum crispum subsp. tuberosum	Vegetable as a delicacy
Parsnip	Pastinaca sativa	Root (vegetable) as a treat edible leaves.
Pea	Pisum sativum	Quantity to be limited
Pea culivated	Pisum sativum	Leaves and pods, peas only as treats.
Peach	Prunus persica	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible.
Pear tree	Pyrus communis	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible. Do not give the seeds.
Peony	Paeonia sp.
Perennial flax	Linum perenne
Perennial Lunaria	Lunaria rediviva
Persian Speedwell	Veronica persica
Phacelia with tansy leaves	Phacelia tanacetifolia	Some species have irritating hairs (does not concern Phacelia tanacetifolia)
Phlox moss	Phlox subulata	To be given in small quantities
Phlox moss	Phlox subulata
Phlox paniculé	Phlox paniculata	To be given in small quantities
Phlox paniculé	Phlox paniculata
Pilosella caespitosa / Gazelle grass	Hieracium caespitosum
Plantain lancéolé	Plantago lanceolata
Plantain media / White plantain	Plantago media
Plum tree	Prunus domestica	Fruits should not be given. Leaves and wood are edible.
Poplar	Populus sp.
Potentilla	Potentilla crantzii	To be given in small quantities
Potentilla anserina	Potentilla anserina
Poultry mint	Mentha pulegium
Prickly pea	Hypochaeris radicata
Prickly pear cactus	Aegopodium podagraria
Prickly pear cactus / Prickly pear cactus	Stachys officinalis
Proustia	Proustia sp.
Proustia cuneifolia	Proustia cuneifolia
Pulicaria dysentery	Pulicaria dysenterica	To be given in small quantities
Purple cauliflower	Brassica sp.	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Purple Echinacea	Echinacea purpurea	Do not give too much
Purple Jerusalem artichoke	Helianthus tuberosus. var.	To be given in small quantities.
Purple loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria
Purple preenanthe	Prenanthes purpurea
Purslane	Portulaca oleracea
Pyrenean Cranesbill	Geranium pyrenaicum
Quackgrass	Poaceae sp
Quinoa	Chenopodium quinoa	Seeds only as treats
Radish (tops)	Raphanus sativus	The tops can be given regularly the radishes themselves are treats.
Rampion oracle	Phyteuma orbiculare	To be given in small quantities
Raspberry	Rubus idaeus	Beware of thorns, fruit for treats
Red alder	Alnus rubra
Red cabbage	Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra	To be given in small quantities the leaves must be green. Can be badly digested.
Red clover	Trifolium dubium	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Red clover	Trifolium medium	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Red clover	Trifolium incarnatum	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Red clover	Trifolium rubens	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
Red lettuce	Lactuca sativa sp.
Red mustard	Brassica juncea
Ribwort speedwell	Veronica spicata
Ribwort speedwell	Veronica spicata
Ribwort speedwell	Veronica officinalis
Rice	Oryza sativa	Seeds only as treats
Robert's Herb Cranesbill	Geranium robertianum
Rocket	Eruca sativa
Romaine lettuce	Lactuca sativa var. longifolia
Roman Chamomile	Chamaemelum nobile
Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis
Rubus pedatus	Rubus pedatus	Beware of thorns fruits as treats
Rubus ursinus	Rubus ursinus	Beware of thorns fruits as treats
Rudbeckia hedgehog	Rudbeckia hirta	To be given in small quantities
Rudbeckia luminaria	Rudbeckia fulgida	To be given in small quantities
Runner bean	Phaseolus coccineus	Leaves and pods, fruits not to be given.
Rutabaga	Brassica napus subsp. rapifera	Avoid the root (treats) prefer the leaves.
Rutabaga	Brassica napus	Leaves to be preferred roots as treats
Rye	Secale cereale L.	Seeds only as treats
Safflower	Carthamus tinctorius
Sage officinal	Salvia officinalis
Sainfoin	Hedysarum sp.
Salad (all types)
Salad hussar	Lactuca sativa var.
Savory	Satureja
Saxifrage of Auvergne	Saxifraga bryoides	To be given in small quantities
Scabieuse colombaire	Scabiosa columbaria	To be given in small quantities
Scarole	Cichorium endivia 'latifolium'
Scented Bramble	Rubus parviflorus	Beware of thorns fruits as treats
Scented chamomile	Matricaria discoidea	To be given in small quantity
Scented Lunaria	Lunaria rediviva
Scented mint	Mentha suaveolens
Scented violet	Viola odorata	To give in small quantity
Scented woodruff	Galium odoratum	Give in small quantities
Scorzonera of Spain	Scorzonera hispanica
Scorzonera purple	Scorzonera purpurea
Scorzonera rosea	Scorzonera rosea
Scots Mint	Mentha longifolia
Sesame	Sesamum indicum	Seeds only as treats
Seven-leafed potentilla	Potentilla heptaphylla	To be given in small quantities
Shepherd's purse	Capsella bursa-pastoris
Small oak speedwell	Veronica chamaedrys
Smooth elm	Ulmus laevis
Solenomelus	Solenomelus sp.
Sorrel	Rumex sp.	Quantity to be limited can cause kidney stones.
Sow thistle	Sonchus arvensis
Sow thistle	Sonchus oleraceus
Sow-thistle	Sonchus sp.	Be careful some species have prickles.
Spearmint	Mentha spicata
Spinach	Spinacia oleracea
Spiny Bugrass	Ononis spinosa
Spirea filipendula	Filipendula vulgaris
Spring chickweed	Lathyrus vernus	Some seeds of its species can be toxic
Spring Omphalodes	Omphalodes verna
Squash (all types) / Pumpkin / Pumpkin / Pumpkin	Cucurbitaceae	Vegetable treats edible leaves. Beware of poisonous coloquintes!
Stellaire aquatique	Myosoton aquaticum
Stellaire des Bois	Stellaria nemorum
Stellaire graminée	Stellaria graminea
Stellaire holostée	Stellaria holostea
Stellaire intermediate	Stellaria media
Stork's beak	Erodium moschatum
Strawberry	Fragaria ananassa	Fruits should not be given.
Strawberry bush	Fragaria vesca	Fruits should not be given.
Sugarloaf chicory
Sunflower	Helianthus annuus	To be given in small quantities
Swollen silytherm	Silene vulgaris	To be given in small quantities
Symphyotrichum puniceum	Symphyotrichum puniceum	To be given in small quantities
Taraxacum officinale	Taraxacum officinale
Tarragon	Artemisia dracunculus	Do not confuse with Mexican tarragon!
Tetragonia	Tetragonia sp.
Thick-leafed oracle	Sedum dasyphyllum
Thistle	Carduus sp.	Be careful with the prickles which can hurt the cheeks.
Thistle (all types)	Asteraceae sp	Beware of prickles!
Thistle (all types)	Silybum marianum	Beware of prickles
Thlaspi praecox
Thyme (all types)	Thymus sp.
Timothy	Phleum pratense
Toadflax	Linaria purpurea	To be given in small quantities
Toadflax	Lotus corniculatus	To be given in small quantities
Tomato (all types)	Solanum sp	Fruit as treats leaves edible.
Tradescantia fluminensis	Tradescantia fluminensis
Turnip	Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa	Edible leaves
Verbena	Verbena officinalis
Verbena lemon	Aloysia citrodora
Vergerette de Karvinski	Erigeron karvinskianus
Vergerette de Paoli	Erigeron paolii
Vergerette of Philadelphia	Erigeron philadelphicus
Vesce of the woods	Vicia sylvatica
Vesicles common	Vicia cracca
Vetch of Cerdanya	Vicia villosa
Vine (all types)	Vitis sp.
Viola sororia	Viola sororia	To be given in small quantities
Wall cress	Cymbalaria muralis
Wall hawkweed	Hieracium murorum
Wallflower	Diplotaxis muralis
Wandering Jew	Tradescantia zebrina
Warty bollock	Betula pendula
Water mint	Mentha aquatica
Watercress (all types)	Lepidium sativum
Watercress (all types)	Nasturtium officinale
Weeping willow	Salix babylonica
Western chickweed	Lathyrus laevigatus occidentalis	To be given in small quantities
Wheat	Triticum sp.	Seeds only as treats
White clover	Trifolium repens	Beware the white mushrooms that cover the clover are toxic.
White huckleberry	Potentilla alba
White Jerusalem artichoke	Helianthus tuberosus. var.	To be given in small quantities.
White manure / White nettle	Lamium album	To be given in small quantities
Wild chamomile	Matricaria chamomilla
Wild chicory	Cichorium intybus
Wild Pansy or Tricolor Pansy	Viola tricolor	To be given in small quantities
Wild rocket	Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Wild thyme	Thymus serpyllum
Willow (all types)	Salix sp.
Willow (all types)	Salix alba	To be given in small quantities
Willow-leaved Bugloss - Yellow ox-eye	Buphthalmum salicifolium
Wood Cranesbill	Geranium sylvaticum
Yarrow	Achillea millefolium
Yellow lettuce / Yellow nettle	Lamium galeobdolon	To be given in small quantity
Yellow medlar	Mespilus germanica
Yellow milk quail	Galium verum	Give in small quantities
Yellow nutsedge	Cyperus esculentus
Yellow reseda	Reseda lutea
Zinnia	Zinnia sp.
Zucchini (all types)	Cucurbita pepo	Vegetable treats edible leaves.

Edible treats

Treats are often high in sugar and/or fat. These should be given sparingly, with a maximum of 1.5g to 2g dry per day. In general, it is not necessary to offer treats every day. It is possible to find foods that are healthy for degus and offer them as treats, especially for those with diabetes.

Fruits and vegetables (excluding leafy greens) should not be part of an degus’ diet, as they don’t meet its needs and are potentially harmful. Plants, leaves, flowers and stems are much more suitable, even as treats.

Common name	Remarks
Almond	Do not give bitter almonds
Artichoke	Leaves
Broccoli	Leaves
Celery
Hazelnut	Do not give seeds if this treat is given. To be given only in exceptional cases like all dried fruits.
Peanut	Only sterilized the shells can carry spores or fungus that can cause oral problems. To be given only in exceptional cases like all dried fruits.
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds	Too rich in phosphorus to be limited.
Walnut	Do not give seeds if this treat is given. To be given only in exceptional cases like all dried fruits.

Edible woods

Common name	Scientific name	Remarks
Abies	Abies	The bark and needles are toxic
Alder	Alnus Mill
Apple Tree
Apple tree	Malus sylvestris
Aspen	Populus tremula
Bamboo		Be careful
Basswood	Tilia L.
Basswood with large leaves	Tilia platyphyllos
Birch	Betula pendula Roth
Black alder	Alnus glutinosa
Black cherry	Prunus padus	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Black poplar	Populus nigra
Blackthorn	Prunus spinosa	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Cherry tree	Prunus avium	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Common lilac	Syringa vulgaris
Common Pear Tree	Pyrus communis
Common spruce	Picea abies	Bark and needles are poisonous
Downy birch	Betula pubescens
Field maple	Acer campestre	Beware
Flat maple	Acer platanoides	Beware
Fragile willow	Salix fragilis	Drying due to salicin
Hawthorn	Crateagus L.	Fruits to avoid
Hawthorn monogynous	Crataegus monogyna	Fruits to avoid
Hawthorn two styles	Crataegus laevigata	Fruits to avoid
Hazel	Corylus avellana
Heartleaf pear tree	Pyrus cordata
Holly	Ilex aquifolium	Only wood
Hornbeam	Carpinus betulus.
Lambert's Hazel	Corylus maxima
Myrobolan	Prunus cerasifera	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Pear tree
Pine	Pinus	Bark and needles are toxic
Plane tree	Platanus x Acerfolia
Plum Tree	Prunus Domestica	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Poplar	Populus L.
Rosaceae family	Rosaceae
Serviceberry	Amelanchier Medik	Fruits to avoid (Cyanogenic glycoside)
Small leaf basswood	Tilia cordata
Spruce	Picea	Bark and needles are toxic
Vine	Vitis vinifera	Carrier of many molds
Warty birch	Betula pendula
Weeping willow	Salix babylonica	To be dried due to salicin
White willow	Salix alba	Drying due to salicin
Willow	Salix L.	To be dried because of salicin
Willow	Salix pentandra	Drying due to salicin
Willow with 3 stamens	Salix triandra	To be dried due to salicin

Translation by Matthieu Selles.

Sources

1. Feeding Ecology of Two Chilean Caviomorphs in a Central Mediterranean Savanna[↩]
2. Nutrition and Behavior of Degus (Octodon degus)[↩]
3. Impact of a high-phosphorus diet on the sonographic and CT appearance of kidneys in degus, and possible concurrence with dental problems[↩]
4. Diseases_in_pet_degus_A_retrospective_study_in_300_animals[↩]
5. Dentistry in Hypselodont Small Animals: Guinea-pigs, Degus and Chinchillas[↩]