First bath success...I think.

[DragonKid2011]

Gave Saphira a bath this morning and I'm not really sure how much the previous owners had bathed her. (she's 2 years old now). Anyway, put her in luke warm water, very shallow, and she didn't care for it at all BUT we did have a successful bowel movement! Any tips for making the bathing process a little better for her? Should it be deeper or more shallow? The water came to just over her hind quarters, but didn't cover her back. Put her back in her tank (after drying her, of course) and she's not under her basking lamp (the MVB by zoomed that I'm seeing more and more complaints about). Instead, she's on the other side of her cage.

 

[reptilegyrl]

Bathing is very important so good job! i usually bathe mine in warm (95 degrees or so) water only up to her "armpits". If she is cranky and shedding i sometimes brush her very gently with a soft tooth brush and she seems to like it. the warm water tends to make them go. Mine always poops in the bath. i like it that way... less spot cleaning in the enclosure! lol
does Saphira like to be rubbed on the head? if so this might relax her in the bath... talking calmly also may help her relax. It might take a while for her to get used to bathing as a regular thing.
I always wrap my beardie in a towel after bath for some cuddles, then under the basking bulb she goes for a while.
Good luck with the baths!

 

[pyffersnpaws]

Make sure you have something in the tub they can walk on.. either a towel or a one of the mats... they need to feel secure and the slippery tub surface isn't it. Also, keep you hand in the water for a bit near her... My biggest one (Pumpkin) is not so big on the bath time... but he took his first bath tonight with out trying to escape... so major advances there. I had to have the mat under him... hand in water, even had to just let him hang on to my hand for a bit, Keep at it, it should get easier, and like the post above, just keep the water warm like you would for a baby... and up to his front armpits Good luck

 

[DragonKid2011]

Thanks for both of your tips. I've bathed many things in my day, but this was my first beardie! Hahahaha....I will find something to sit in the tub with her the next time I bathe her and will try the tips you all suggested. Thanks again!!

 

[CaptainVimes]

You could also put your hand in the water and dribble the excess onto her nose, allowing it to dribble down the chin, not on the face. This is how Dexter has a drink, he won't drink directly from the water.

There is debate on whether, like a chameleon, dragons can see standing water and associate it with having a drink. When I first got Dexter home, I put a 10" water bowl in with him, thinking he would appreciate it, but soon learned, from various caresheets, as well as on here, that I should not have a water bowl in his enclosure. 1, because I could not possibly get the low humidity that Dexter needs, and 2, Because he could drown in it.

Dexter now gets his water from daily baths, (he's shedding) and his "meat & veg" lol

I don't put anything on the base of the bath, because Dexter is absolutely fine with standing in the bath, he doesn't slip anywhere, he's really quite confident in there.

 

[alcolton]

I also take a Qtip and get it wet in the bath (where Evie can see me do it) and then use that to put water on top of her head and nose area. This was it is nice and soft and allows water to get on that area without accidentally getting some in her ears.

 

[DragonKid2011]

Second bath done this morning. Of course, she's still skittish, but I think she liked having a towel in there this morning just to give her a little traction. I used my finger to get her snout and top of her head wet and she seemed okay with that, but the Qtip is a great idea. I really appreciate everyone's feedback on here.

I got her out of the bath and wrapped her in a towel. She sat on my chest for about 10 minutes and snoozed. Previous owners didn't handle her much so the past 2 weeks have been a little challenging. I think we're on our way to some girlie bonding! hahahaha

Happy New Year's everyone!