bathing? - Page 2

3lli3 xx · 28-12-2008, 08:49 AM

yes, i have heard they actually don't need to drink an awfull lot. But batheing them once a day will give it enoough hydration to soak up through skin and through their bottoms. with a small amount of juicy fruits they will get enough liquid from them aswell but don't go over the top as this can lead to runny poos.

swad1000 · 28-12-2008, 09:52 AM

If there heads are under the water theres a good chance they are drinking.

They have to submerge both there mouths and nostrils to enable them to drink.

Anna you say that your two use there water as a toilet, usually when then are in the water they will go to the toilet, as they can replace the lost fluids used by going to the toilet.

So they may be drinking but you just haven't seen it.

My torts are 3 years old, and still get a bath most days.

CJ · 28-12-2008, 10:20 AM

If you have some digital scales, weigh your tortoise before putting it in the bath, and then weigh after the bath. Obviously they will be heavier after the bath if they've been drinking!

Kirkie · 28-12-2008, 12:38 PM

Like Swad says the nose has to be under water for them to drink. Watch their necks, its a far better indication of whether their drinking. You should see them gulping

sandy · 28-12-2008, 12:55 PM

Fruits are a no no as they can and do upset their gut flora

You should see a tortoise drink when it rains, they love puddles, or leaves that have caught rain. They can drink for up to five mins non stop

MrD · 04-01-2009, 02:17 AM

Hi,

I have just been reading through and thought I'd ask about how often to bath my Hermanns torts, both almost 3 years. Currently, I am bathing them once a week for about 20mins in warm water. I just noticed that some people are doing their torts every day. Should I be bathing mine more often? They do have a shallow dish of water in their enclosure.

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

Marcos

Paulg1 · 04-01-2009, 04:23 AM

Alot of people soak every day just to make sure they are getting good hydration. It's not necessary but you should at least a few times a week. Every other day to every two days is long enough.

3lli3 xx · 04-01-2009, 10:14 AM

yes, marcos, the main reason i bathe mine ech day is because it is a hatchling and they can suffer more from dehydration than older torts, so every few days should be fine for you

alotoffluff · 04-01-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3lli3 xx

yes, marcos, the main reason i bathe mine ech day is because it is a hatchling and they can suffer more from dehydration than older torts, so every few days should be fine for you

I also bath Fluffy every day and he seems to enjoy it. Always passes urates and does a lovely big poo!

MrD · 04-01-2009, 01:29 PM

Hi,
Thanks for the advice. I will try and bath them more than once a week to ensure they are hydrated enough.
I have to say that I love my torts very much and I have become so attached to them, but I was one of these 'naive impulse buyers' from a pet shop back in August (please don't throw things at me). Since buying them I have researched and read and asked advice and read some more!! However, I am so annoyed by the fact that pet shops (and I quote) tell you that 'tortoises are really easy to keep and require very little work and attention'. How wrong they are?!
I don't regret getting Herman (original I know) and Patch, but I feel for the tortoises and people who are buying them and then following the pet stores advice... "Put them in a cage and give them pellets mixed with fruits and vegetables" (which is what I was told).

I know I have so posted this in the wrong place... But it is so frustrating to think they are just making money are not actually giving good advice. So I am very thankful for places like this!!

Is it obvious I am newbie to the world of torts!! Though I think I have been thoroughly converted!!

28-12-2008, 12:55 PM	#15
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Fruits are a no no as they can and do upset their gut flora You should see a tortoise drink when it rains, they love puddles, or leaves that have caught rain. They can drink for up to five mins non stop __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

04-01-2009, 04:23 AM	#17
Paulg1 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,116	Alot of people soak every day just to make sure they are getting good hydration. It's not necessary but you should at least a few times a week. Every other day to every two days is long enough. __________________ 0.1.0 G. sulcata/Larry 0.1.0 G. pardalis babcocki/Leo 1.0.0 G. pardalis pardalis/Tino "Stop the world, I want to get off!"

04-01-2009, 10:14 AM	#18
3lli3 xx Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, Essex Posts: 68	yes, marcos, the main reason i bathe mine ech day is because it is a hatchling and they can suffer more from dehydration than older torts, so every few days should be fine for you __________________

28-12-2008, 08:49 AM	#11
3lli3 xx Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, Essex Posts: 68	yes, i have heard they actually don't need to drink an awfull lot. But batheing them once a day will give it enoough hydration to soak up through skin and through their bottoms. with a small amount of juicy fruits they will get enough liquid from them aswell but don't go over the top as this can lead to runny poos.

28-12-2008, 09:52 AM	#12
swad1000 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2,702	If there heads are under the water theres a good chance they are drinking. They have to submerge both there mouths and nostrils to enable them to drink. Anna you say that your two use there water as a toilet, usually when then are in the water they will go to the toilet, as they can replace the lost fluids used by going to the toilet. So they may be drinking but you just haven't seen it. My torts are 3 years old, and still get a bath most days.

28-12-2008, 10:20 AM	#13
CJ Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Herts Posts: 1,280	If you have some digital scales, weigh your tortoise before putting it in the bath, and then weigh after the bath. Obviously they will be heavier after the bath if they've been drinking!

28-12-2008, 12:38 PM	#14
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Like Swad says the nose has to be under water for them to drink. Watch their necks, its a far better indication of whether their drinking. You should see them gulping

04-01-2009, 02:17 AM	#16
MrD Member Hatched Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 415	Hi, I have just been reading through and thought I'd ask about how often to bath my Hermanns torts, both almost 3 years. Currently, I am bathing them once a week for about 20mins in warm water. I just noticed that some people are doing their torts every day. Should I be bathing mine more often? They do have a shallow dish of water in their enclosure. Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated. Marcos

04-01-2009, 01:29 PM	#20
MrD Member Hatched Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 415	Hi, Thanks for the advice. I will try and bath them more than once a week to ensure they are hydrated enough. I have to say that I love my torts very much and I have become so attached to them, but I was one of these 'naive impulse buyers' from a pet shop back in August (please don't throw things at me). Since buying them I have researched and read and asked advice and read some more!! However, I am so annoyed by the fact that pet shops (and I quote) tell you that 'tortoises are really easy to keep and require very little work and attention'. How wrong they are?! I don't regret getting Herman (original I know) and Patch, but I feel for the tortoises and people who are buying them and then following the pet stores advice... "Put them in a cage and give them pellets mixed with fruits and vegetables" (which is what I was told). I know I have so posted this in the wrong place... But it is so frustrating to think they are just making money are not actually giving good advice. So I am very thankful for places like this!! Is it obvious I am newbie to the world of torts!! Though I think I have been thoroughly converted!!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)