Bathing...How often??

[nmulder33]

I have always wondered how often you can bath a bird. I do it twice a week, but wonder if that is enough?? I also heard and read somewhere that sometimes people use the Johnson shampoo?? Can someone tell me what the right amount of bathing is??

[Shirley]

Use plain water. Twice a week is fine, and misting any or every day is fine. Once a week soaking shower is usually sufficient, too.

The only household cleaner (detergent, soap) recommended - and used for cleaning oil off waterbirds in the ocean when contaminated by oil slicks, is Dawn dish detergent.

There's a product on the market called Feather Shine Shampoo which I've used on Skyler. but never more often than once every 4-5 weeks. I used to use Dawn, but Feather Shine has aloe vera in it, and leaves his feathers much softer. BE SURE to rinse until all product is gone. And, unless you have a specific reason, fresh water is best. Most birds prefer a "luke cool" temp - slightly cooler than warm. Mine like the water hose in the back yard in the summer time.

[jimleasure]

again i'm no expert but i either mist my birds every other day or let them use a bath dish in the kitchen sink if they want. they pretty much tell me what they want. many times they will dive in the water dish right after i clean the cage. at that point i just reclean the dish after they are done. my conures sometimes take two baths a day. all depends on how they feel i guess.

jim l

[Shirley]

I agree, Jim! Some birds just love to take baths, and conures are famous for that! Play-Doh, our Senegal, takes a soaking bath about once a week of his own accord, so we never bathe him. Skyler and Holly (RB2 and CAG) hardly ever take a bath of their own accord, so I carry them to the bathtub or outside for baths on a regular basis for Skyler, and less often for Holly... not that Holly couldn't have a bath more often... Our 'tiel never takes a bath on his own, either, nor do the Bourke's... so once in awhile they get a good misting. Same with the parrotlets... only sometimes take baths on their own.

[Griminsdj]

I mist my litlte guys (3 tiels and a lovie) once a week, really good. But the Lovie abthes in his water dish just about every day lately. And so far only one tiel, Stella has taken a bath in her water dish on her own, the first time she really soaked hrself good, but once or twice a week she bathes in the water dish .

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

I recommend a good soaking misting or shower twice a week. Sometimes more often is needed. Always check with your avian DVM before using any kind of shampoo, soap, chemical of any kind on your bird (Shirley's a good client and listens to me, so her advice is right on target :D ).

[parrotgirl]

Well my little guys, linnies, rosellas, bourkes, red rump, I never bathe them, they are all too happy to do it themselfs, Bucc (CAG) however, is not that keen so he gets bathed 2-3 times a week, he really doesn't like it, but he really needs it.


Don't think I would use shampoo on my guys unless there was a specific reason for it and then only if avian vet advised it.

[nmulder33]

When I wrote the post I meant to say I bathe him once a week. So, with knowing that it is okay to do it twice a week, I'm sure I do that. Baby doesn't like the shower tho...LOL He usually bathes on his own when the vacuum cleaner runs, so that is once a week already!!

[Junkzoo]

LOL, it's amazing how a vaccum cleaner will make birds want to splash/play in their water dishes,,,,I have to make a point of removing/ leaving out the water dishes here, so i don't get splashed on, while running the vaccum under the cages,,Tho sometimes i'll put clean water back in the cages, and then mist them after some of my birds start for the water dish,,,only do this just prior to changing the cage litter,,,,
My 'Too, and my Amazon, are the only two that take baths ,or like getting misted. My Senegal takes baths when i'm not around, based on the water being real low in the dish during the day,,but hates a mist/bath,,:shrug2:
Same thing with my Bourke,,,not a water bird on his own,,,but will get a lil mist once inna while,,,just to make him pretty,,,,,

[Flock Mom]

Yep, turn the vaccum cleaner on here and it is all out BATH TIME!!!!!
Conan leads by getting into his water dish. I then get the spray bottle and mist him while he is bathing. I'll say "lift those wings so I can clean those pits" and he is always more than happy to ablige me...lol The more fuss I make over him the more the other birds start in on their own baths.
The conures naturally love to bathe, but the two greys have got to be encouraged if ya know what I mean:D
A good soaking bath is usually twice a week, but everytime the vaccum is running, Conan takes a dip;)

Julie~

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Yep, turn the vaccum cleaner on here and it is all out BATH TIME!!!!!

I have heard this many times..I always wonder if the vacuum sounds like thunder or a rainstorm to the birds :shrug:

[Shirley]

Holly went nuts in the backyard cage when the lawnmower was running... she started singing at the top of her little lungs and talking and just having a ball! She didn't have a bathtub... next time...

[Doubleyolk]

I mist or shower my parrots twice a week in the cold months and every other day in the warm months. Then there are the bowl bathers when I start the vac daily. :thumbup:

[aropple]

I have an 11 week old ekkie -- when should he start getting baths? I heard I should wait till he's a bit older? Thanks

[Eriisu-chan]

Alright... I have a question about bathing, too! How long can you go without bathing your bird? I mean... I live in a mini home that, while insulated, would get chilly for a wet parrot... So I usually heat a second room in the house especially for bath time... I just don't want my bird to catch a cold...:confused:

[CocosMomma]

Interesting to hear all these bathing rituals! The only thing the vacuum cleaner does for Coco is spur her onto the vocalization contest.. who can be louder? Clearly, Coco can be louder than the vacuum... it doesn't make her splash tho. When she hears the shower run, which is near her room, she will let you know if she wants a shower too, and won't shut up till she gets what she wants. She doesn't have the 'too dust, but she gets a bath about once a week in the winter and 2-3 times a week in the summer. No misting... baaaaddd misting bottle.... baaaaaaaaad! She prefers being placed in the tub, shower turned on, glass door closed, and a soft fallin' rain from the shower head... if she stops singing or turns completely brown, you know she's done!:funny: