Quick answer
The best hay feeder for a degu is a chew-resistant metal rack that mounts securely and keeps hay off the cage floor. Our top pick is the Kaytee Hay and Food Bin, a sturdy metal feeder that resists gnawing, attaches to wire cages, and holds a constant supply of clean hay within reach. Metal wins here because degus destroy plastic and wood quickly and can swallow the pieces. Whatever model you pick, the priorities are the same: a chew-proof build, a safe design with no entrapment gaps, and a firm mount that keeps unlimited hay flowing off the floor.
Why unlimited hay matters
Unlimited grass hay is the foundation of a healthy degu diet. It delivers the fiber their gut needs to keep food moving, and the steady chewing wears down teeth that grow for life. Hay is also naturally sugar free, which matters because degus are prone to diabetes and must stay on a low sugar diet. A good feeder keeps that hay clean, dry, and always available, so your degu can graze all day the way its body is built to. If your degu suddenly stops eating hay, contact an exotics vet, since dental and gut problems can escalate fast.
What to look for
Favor solid metal construction over plastic or wood, both of which a degu will chew apart and may ingest. Choose narrow slots or a fine grid that let your degu pull hay out piece by piece while keeping the rest off the floor. Secure mounting is essential so an active degu cannot knock the feeder loose or tip it over. Pick a size that holds a day of hay without letting it pack down and spoil, and make cleaning simple with a design that comes apart for washing and drying. Rounded or coated edges are a bonus, and openings should be small enough that your degu cannot climb inside or wedge a limb. In short, a solid metal rack with narrow slots ticks every box for a heavy chewer.
How we chose
We prioritized chew resistance, safety, and hygiene, then ranked feeders on how well they keep hay clean and accessible. We compared materials, mounting strength, slot size, and capacity, and we screened out any design with large gaps, loose hanging balls, or moving parts where a small animal could trap a head or a leg. Owner feedback on durability under heavy gnawing guided the final order, so every pick here is one that stands up to a determined chewer.
What to avoid
Skip plastic feeders and wooden racks, which degus reduce to splinters and can swallow. Avoid hanging hay balls and feeders with wide openings or swinging parts that create an entrapment risk. Do not use feeders with sharp edges or tiny detachable pieces. Never rely on a feeder to ration hay, since degus need it in front of them at all times. When in doubt, a plain solid metal rack mounted firmly to the cage bars is the safest, longest lasting choice for a degu.
