Introducing me and Buddy

[StaceysBuddy]

I'm new to this. Not sure if the photos will appear or not. And its really big...

I got Buddy in July, I'm not sure how old he/she was. I wanna say Buddy is a girl but I can't quite tell yet. I've looked for the bumps and still not sure. I'm saying Buddy is 4 months because thats when I got her. She's so spoiled. But I do have some questions that I have looked up but haven't really found direct answers for.

Buddy, usually in the morning, will puff out her beard, but not all the way (I think) but its like shes having trouble. She does it like repeatedly and her whole head moves when she does it. It's almost like she can't breathe... But it only lasts like a minute and it doesn't happened often (That I've seen). Her temps are normal, she's eating right, and I hope she's not mad because she still snuggles with me...

And she HATES baths. As soon as Buddy is in the water, she tries to get out. I've adjusted the temps, made it shallow, put a towel in there.. As soon as a put my arm by her she gets out. I don't want her miserable but I have to do it because she sheds so much. Even when she's not shedding, she hates it. Is there anything I can do to make her enjoy it? Or not be mad?

Sorry I write so much. Hopefully someone can answer me.
=] Stacey

 

[ChiefsDaddy]

Welcome Stacey and Buddy!!! :wave:

The puffing in the morning is normal. I call it morning stretches. Chief does it every single morning, and he won't eat until after he is done with his stretches.

As for baths, every beardie is different. Most beardies love their baths. Chief is not a fan. He doesn't try to climb out, but he will just sit in the same spot and not move, like he's terrified of it. He likes it best when I'm there with him talking and interacting with him. I have a soft bristled toothbrush that I scrub him with gently and he really seems to like that. I've read about some people giving their beardies a bath in a see-thru container, and that helps some people. I think that with a little time and persistence, they will get better at being in the bath. Chief has definitely gotten a little better about it, but he's still not a fan, and may never be.

 

[StaceysBuddy]

I feel better about the "stretching". I just wanted to make sure that was normal. Buddy is the first pet I've had, that I actually have to take care of. Want to make sure everything is fine =]

I read a bunch of things online about how to make baths more enjoyable.. I think I just got a stubborn beardie. What kind of brush do you use? I don't have anything like that. I use a baby nose plunger thing (I have no idea what they are called). I just squirt water on her gently, usually more when she's shedding. She's getting smart, every time I head towards the bathroom it's like she knows. I feel bad =[

 

[ChiefsDaddy]

Any soft toothbrush will work.

Don't feel bad. You're doing her a big favor... she just doesn't know it yet... LOL :wink: Beardies need their baths for proper hydration. They don't get these baths 3 times a week in the wild, so I can understand why they would be weirded out by it. BUT, this is why they live 10 years in captivity, but only 3-4 years out in the wild. It's all these little things that we do for them.

 

[bouncer36]

yeah my jessie doesn't like baths either but put his water dish in his tank he will jump in move around in there even duck his head under the water lol

 

[StaceysBuddy]

I have a water dish in there but she never goes to it.. have the time the water evaporates. So I give her water by a dropper.. or give her a bath. So my water dish seems pointless...