Degu Wheel Size and Cage Fall Protection

A wheel and a tall cage are useful only when they support natural movement without forcing an arched running posture or creating long, open fall routes.

Wheel size

This site uses a minimum inner diameter of 35 cm (13.8 in), following Deguhilfe Süd guidance. Measure the open running diameter, not the manufacturer’s outside dimension. The running surface should be solid, stable and free from crossbars or pinch points.

Watch each animal run. A flat, flowing posture is preferable; a visibly curved back or lifted head suggests the wheel is too small or awkwardly positioned. Secure the wheel so it cannot wobble, trap a tail or block an escape route.

Fall protection in tall cages

Height alone is not usable space. Install full solid levels that repeatedly cover the base area and interrupt open vertical shafts. This planner treats an unprotected fall distance up to 30 cm (11.8 in) as the safer target and flags larger gaps for review.

Small corner shelves do not reliably stop a fall. Use overlapping full levels, broad platforms, secure ramps and deliberately placed barriers. After every rearrangement, look from the top down and identify every route an animal could fall through.

Quick inspection

• Wheel inner diameter is at least 35 cm (13.8 in).
• Running surface is solid and free from pinch points.
• The wheel is fixed firmly and remains level in use.
• Full levels interrupt the cage height.
• Bridges, ramps and shelves cannot rotate or detach.

Check the complete plan with the degu cage size planner. Source: Deguhilfe Süd enclosure guidance.