to shower, while growling and screaming, or not to shower

[tkirsch9368]

My grey does not like misting much less a regular shower. I did put him in there once and he growled sooooo much. My ? is, should I just let him gowl in order to do what is best for him or just let him go. I can mist him but the growling is the same plus he bites his toe nails and I am afraid he will tear 1 out? Misting him can get him hurt in many more ways than putting him in the shower. Any advise will help me alot in making a crucial decision, thanks

[ThreeX]

I'd mist him, and make sure the water's really cold. (yes you heard right). Mine bathe in the waterbowl *if* waters just changed and preferably so cold as to leave condensation on the outside they don't like lukewarm water at all, be it showers or bathing. Go figure..

[pippy]

Mojo and Shinda used to make a terrific fuss about being sprayed, the noise was awful, my neighbours must have thought I was torturing them!

When they had their smaller (but still quite big) cage I used to take the bowls out and spray them through the bars of the cage.
Spraying them when they were out of the cage wasn't an option coz they'd just stick their middle finger up at me and fly away!

Over time (they're now seventeen months old) they gradually became quieter when I sprayed them until the noise all but stopped.

I now put them in their small travel cage to spray them as their cage is just too big, they can fly in it!

If you can get your bird into a travel cage (mine are both used to it as they often travel in my car in it) I'd give that a go if your bird can and will fly away when you spray him.

Oops, just read your post again, you don't like to mist him as he pulls on his toenails! I know some parrots do this when they feel anxious, I saw Henry do it when he first came to live with me but he never pulled a nail out so I don't know if your bird would or not??

You could still maybe try showering him in the travel cage if he won't stay still, I often out Mojo and Shinda's travel cage in the shower and shower them rather than spray them with the mister bottle.

Obviously you know your bird best and may decide doing that would make him even worse but all I can say is Mojo and Shinda fairly soon calmed down and stopped the awful noise once they realised they weren't being hurt. I spray or shower them every day without fail so I'm glad they've decided screaming really is not necessary!

Henry on the other hand is a little angel! I can easily spray him while he stands quietly on the table-top playstand! I think he actually enjoys it but that's maybe because he's had 45 years to get used to it!

[Congobongo]

I mist mine. At first they didn't like it but after doing it routinely they seem to either enjoy it or 'get' it and will open their wings to get them misted. Just keep routinely misting and he will get to a point where he enjoys it.

[dmiller91]

Have you tried a water bowl in his cage? Plus the vacuum. My sister has had a grey for 30 years and that's they only way she will bathe. Bowl plus vacuum LOL.

[Emmilyy]

I agree with the vacume - thats pretty much the only time Toc will bath.

[pippy]

Originally Posted by dmiller91

Have you tried a water bowl in his cage? Plus the vacuum. My sister has had a grey for 30 years and that's they only way she will bathe. Bowl plus vacuum LOL.

Oh yes! There's a sound which always seems to get them in the mood for a soaking!

None of my birds will use a bowl mind you, EXCEPT after they've been misted or showered!

YouTube - African Grey trying to have a bath!


I've tried giving a much bigger bowl, one which they'd be able to get properly wet in, but they aren't interested!

I think that in time your bird will learn to accept, even if not enjoy, the daily misting/showering so long as you keep it up as part of his daily routine.

[nanmadpad]

both my grey and macaw hated mistings. I started to spray them and make it like a game. Every time i sprayed i got excited and yelled wheee and laughed. They now love being sprayed and think its a fun game, they now are the ones yelling wheee everytime they are sprayed. You can get your fid to enjoy it just make it a fun experience.

[ThreeX]

Originally Posted by pippy

I've tried giving a much bigger bowl, one which they'd be able to get properly wet in, but they aren't interested!

That's africans in a nutshell *sigh* both the greys and sennies bathe in water bowls way too small, but anything bigger? Forget it : )

[asulli]

I do not personally have a Grey, but my IRN, GCC & Amazon all were introduced to showering but watching me. Eventually (did not take long at all) they would sit on the ledge. I would laugh, sing, and just have a great time. Finally I told them to step up and just gave them a shower. The IRN and Amazon love it and like to feel the shower on them. The CGG is very quite, but does not mind at all. They all get towel snuggles and treats after every bath. Of course, they do not bathe all at one time, I alternate.