Bathing and making it fun!
 Here are a few tips we have found to teach young ones how to learn to relax and enjoy their soaks..... and vital if they are ever ill. Bathing serves alot of useful purpose to Dragons besides cleaning, it helps them shed, hydrates, relaxes muscles to help them go to the bathroom when constipated and allows them to exercise without the bulk weighing them down.
- Use only water that feels normal temp to you, that means it is 98-99 degrees F. if it feels warm to you, it is too hot to them.
- Use a container with very low sides, so they can see over it and that you have not abandon them in this water world, twice the length of them is pleanty for now and not overwhelming to them.
- Place a washcloth, a clean old sock or even a paper towel in the bottom, so they don't slip and have something to grasp on to, it increase their security..... without that they will NEVER learn to enjoy a bath or soak.
- I leave a little water trickeling into the container/tub..... this usually fascinates them and alot of time they will go to it, drink, or let it run over their heads.
- Once they have adjusted to being in the water. Prop their front legs up on your fingers and swing them slightly back and forth in the water.... eventually this will get them moving their back legs and tail and soon they will start swimming around on their own and leave your hand..... "LOOK Mom!!! i can swim and you can't catch me!!"
- In the beggining, keep your hand or fingers in the water.... so they know you are right there should they need you. NEVER WALK AWAY FROM THEM WHILE THEY ARE IN WATER.
 Once they are adjusted to the water, they usually learn to love it..... swimming, running away from your hand, flipping around, whipping tails and little back legs swimming in a jerky fashion. We have one that dunks her head under and races like crazy away when she is not ready to come out
Also........ be prepared to remove the dragon and get fresh water, as all that exercise and warm water tends to cause them to release their bowels, this is really great should they get constipated or impacted.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
Article by Cheri Smith
Copyright Cheri Smith, The Reptile Rooms ©2003
All images Copyright The Reptile Rooms ©2004 Unless otherwise noted.
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