Wild degus live in high-altitude, dry, rocky areas and cliffs. In this environment, they have a natural habit of using fine sand, such as volcanic ash, to remove dirt and excess oils from their bodies.
Pet degus retain this natural behavior, so providing an environment where

◆Maintaining Healthy Fur and Skin
Wild degus live in environments without bodies of water, so they do not have a natural habit of taking water baths.
Their fur is very dense, and if it becomes wet, it dries slowly, which can lead to a drop in body temperature.
Sand baths act like a “dry bath,” helping to remove dirt and excess oils from the fur.
Degus have a two-layered structure—hard outer hairs(guard hairs) and soft, dense underfur—to adapt to harsh environments with large temperature fluctuations and dryness. This structure makes them sensitive to humidity, and damp environments can promote mold and bacterial growth.
Sand baths improve air circulation to the skin, helping prevent trapped moisture and maintain healthy fur.

◆Stress Relief and Instinctual Needs
Wild degus naturally dig and create burrows, so they instinctively enjoy digging and burrowing behaviors.
Digging in sand and rolling while rubbing their bodies not only keeps their fur clean but also helps relieve stress and satisfy their natural instincts.

For degus, which have a two-layered structure, the ideal sand is a fine, powder type that can penetrate to the base of the hairs.
Coarser sand may not reach the hair roots, making it difficult to remove internal oils and dirt effectively.