does he like the tub?

[Alika]

I mentioned it in another thread, but I thought I would ask here. A few people in other places have given me opinions, but I thought I'd ask what you guys thought.

Xander gets a bath everyday. Usually, it's just a brief one to get him to poop, then back in his cage he goes. If he's shedding, I'll either put him back in after rinsing the tub, or else let him bathe for longer early in the evening.

He always wanders to the side and tries to climb out, but not the entire time he's in there. More and more, he's sitting low in the water with both his eyes closed. This is happening a lot in the morning. Don't get me wrong... it's not like I turn the lights on then throw him in the tub... he usually has a few hours to get warmed up first.

On the mornings he settles in and closes his eyes, it takes him forever to poop. I've been entertaining the idea that he know I'm gonna take him out when he poops, and he wants to stay in as long as possible (his poops aren't really hard and small... just normal, so he's not constipated or anything). As soon as he poops, he's wide awake and trying to get out of the tub.

Because of him trying to get out, I'd always assumed that he didn't like it. Now I"m not so sure. What do you guys think?

[Diane]

i think it's possible that you could be right about taking forever to do his business because he wants to stay in. Narcy took a spell last year during his season where he would not go on his paper in the corner like he had always done, and i am convinced it was because during his season he was so nasty and aggressive that we would get him out long enough to go on his paper and then put him right back in his cage. It eventually got to the point where he could be out for an hour or better with no messes, and within FIVE MINUTES of being back in his cage there would be poop everywhere!!! He knew if he pooped right away, he would get put back in his cage. . .i wouldn't say they are super intelligent creatures, but they are far from stupid either! I would suggest rewarding him when he poops in the tub with a nice clean warm soak afterwards IF you can afford the time!

[Alika]

Thank you for replying. I suspect you are right. I will try to start giving him longer baths after he poops.

[prism_wolf]

Zair only soaks on the weekends, so whenever he poops in there I always let him stay as long as he wants to...which is hours sometimes...as long as 4.

When it was a daily thing...I did the same with him then...just not so long. I would let him poop, rinse, refill and let soak for 30 mins to an hour. He may very well be telling you he wants to stay in... ;D.