Bath time question

[Cindy Q]

Seems Pumpkin used to be sprayed using a spray bottle in his other home to make him be quiet so needless to say he's afraid of spray bottles now. I haven't actually pulled out a spray bottle to test his reaction because his mom told me herself he didn't like them and why. But I did try and take a shower with him because he's so dusty and he doesn't like showers either. Made him panic, so our shower was short and he didn't even get wet...

Any suggestions on what I can do? How I can get him used to some kind of water...? Or how necessary it even is. He looks perfect, he's just dusty and my other birds are so used to bathing by showering with me, or in their water bowls, with spray bottles and even in the sink while i'm washing dishes, this is just something new for me a bird afraid of water. He appears to be very frightened to get wet and I don't want to create any distrust in him since we're making such good progress. Don't think i'll attempt any kind of bath time for a few weeks (or months!!) but some suggestions in the meantime would be nice.

[Greycloud]

Hi, I have a U2 I rescued. I suggest you basically leave Pumkin alone for a week or two. I cannot get either of my birds into a shower. The U2 cleared the entire back of the toilet and clung to the shower curtain. So I now give spray bottle baths, which he does accept. Now since yours was punished with a spray bottle you might be out of luck. When he steps up on you, you could try running a warm wet cloth down his head and back. Or try having a filled bowl of warm water and dribble water over him with your fingers while he is in his cage. We have to use our imagination when it comes to making things work. Maybe eventually he will get use to the drops on him and you can spray him with a bottle hidden or wrapped in a towel. Good Luck-

[DeguMom]

I have a list of bathing ideas that I can't find on my computer right now. But here are 2 options:

- rinse some leaf lettuce in water, and hang it up in the cage, your 2 may choose to play in the water a bit, or at least rub up against it and get wet by accident

- get a new, cotton mop head (the kind with the strings) and get it wet, then hang in the cage - your 2 again might play in it, preen it, chew on it, and get wet by accident

- at the very least, you could put him in the bathroom (but not in the shower) while you shower - baths are essential for a bird, but in the beginning, at least getting that bathroom humidity while you shower is something

If I can turn up the file, I'll post a few more ideas. Sadly, this is not uncommon, and it sure sets a parrot up for a lifetime of problems. Wish people would know enough not to do that to a parrot!

[swanwillow]

I have the exact same problem... spray bottle to reinforce not screaming. She does NOT do well in showers at ALL, but... fill the bottom of the tub with an inch of water, and put the bub in. It worries them a bit, but its not the terrifying, OMG get me OUTTA HERE reaction of the shower. Slowly, over time, you can introduce the shower to them. Lacey just moves to the other end of the bath still, but its a start at least.

[LoryLady]

Heya,

How awful that something so fun for him should have been twisted and used as a punishment.....

Maybe with the fear of water you could show him how you and the birds interact and have fun with water without getting it too close to him - let him watch you. Make enthusiastic and happy noises, show him the others getting wet and having fun too if you can. Let him come around at his own pace!

What about a mister? Warm mist might help him get used to the feeling of being wet and feel nice and warm, without the trauma of being abruptly soaked.

Does he let you cuddle/tough him much? maybe a damp towel (wrung to get most water off) and pat him down gently? Just to get some dust off....

Monty was terrified of showering till just very recently. Bought this shower perch off ebay and she wanted nothing to do with it or the shower, even though she's always loved bathing in her water bowl.

What worked for me was sticking the perch on the wall near to her cage, about 2-3 feet away, so she could see it. Did this for 2 weeks. Whenever I'd approach/be near I'd casually touch the perch, hold it, even talking about it touching it and going 'Look Monty! What's this?' etc just to show it wasn't something scary. Would hold it when we were walking around, but didn't try forcing her close to it.

Week 2 hung some toys she likes off it, but still didn't try getting her close. She could just see the setup from her cage.

When I tried again I had her in the bathroom with me, but didn't invite her into the shower with me. Let her watch me shower, sing, have a dance and generally look like a naked fool trying to make showers look like MASSIVE FUN!

Keeping the space was good, she started whistling and begging to get closer. After that, she decided that it was okay to stand on the perch. The first shower I didn't spray her with water, just let her feel warm mist.

Took her 1.5 actual showers to realise showers = fun play time. This morning she refused to leave! Just wanted to sit on the perch and preen.... so cute.

[maggy]

Dusty wasn't mistreated but she was frightened of sprays and showers. So I took her into the bathroom sat her on the back of a chair, put some music on (she loves loud pop music-and my raven-like voice) sang along. When I was nearly finished in the shower I plugged the shower recess and created "Lake Corella". As I dried off I put her on the floor near the lake, she slowly went into the water to play, not bathe ...much later I would dribble water on her as I showered, later still I began spraying her while I showered and the music raged. So she learned that spraying was OK and not scarey. When it comes down to it, bathing isn't vital for her life..give her a long time to settle in, and in time and with patience she'll see how great showers can be.