Degus are curious and active rodents that love to chew, which can spell disaster for your furniture, especially seating. To prevent degu damage effectively, consider these proven strategies:

1. Provide Chew Alternatives: Offer plenty of wooden toys, untreated branches, or chew sticks to divert their attention from your furniture.

2. Use Bitter Sprays: Apply pet-safe bitter sprays on seating edges to deter chewing—these are non-toxic but taste unpleasant to degus.

3. Cover Seating with Degu-Proof Materials: Use metal or thick plastic covers on vulnerable areas, or opt for tightly woven, chew-resistant fabrics.

4. Supervise Playtime: Limit degu access to seating areas when they’re out of their cage, and redirect them if they start nibbling.

5. Train with Positive Reinforcement: Reward degus when they chew appropriate items, reinforcing good behavior over time.

By combining these methods, you can protect your seating while keeping your degus happy and engaged. Consistency is key to long-term success!