CAG Baby Girl hasn't had a bath in 5 years...

[VICTORYCC124]

So I just learned today that our newly adopted sweetheart has NEVER been given a bath or shower. Oh. My. Gosh. I pulled out a spray bottle and with one squirt she freaked out. I'm looking for advice on how to approach this, where to begin. I'm hoping this doesn't have to be traumatizing for her since she's only been with us for a few days, but I'm dying to give her a bath or shower. TIA

 

[GraciesMom]

I've been going thru the same problem! Gracie was so traumatized by water (didn't even like the water dish - she would go up and over that area of the cage to avoid it).

After I messed up with upsetting her badly by just holding a water bottle I switched tactics and let her watch me from the shower curtain (I was careful at first to not splash any water) and made a really fun, happy noises & clucking type of sounds - she was very interested in my performance lol.

I did try using a pesticide type container (brand new) that had a fine mister setting thinking if she didn't hear much & feel a strong squirt - this didn't work for me but others have had success. So I had to beg forgiveness & pay her off with a treat.. again.

We have made quite a bit of progress lately tho, when I noticed she was looking way more relaxed on the curtain rod I reached up and tried a step up .. once she choose to step up I placed her at the dry end of the shower away from the water stream. I then pretended she wasn't there and resumed my "fun" within a few minutes she ran up to my feet and started trying to catch the water with her beak. She eventually starting playing under the water. I don't push her & I end it when she shows signs of "enough" and retreats without returning to play. Lots of talking & praise and excited "fun" noises and upbeat tone of voice really gets her attention. Of course a lot of "good girl" etc. when it's all over.

The next day she played in her water dish for awhile (feet dipping and beak dipping) was a huge step for her!

It's a learn as ya go process & I've "angered" and upset Gracie a few times I just change my tone of voice to a commiserating, apologetic one, put her in her favorite spot and bribe her with a treat & await the princesses forgiveness

Good luck! sure do have to think outside of the box with these diva's

 

[Flboy]

Give her time, please! Offer water, let her hang in the shower. Don't 'give' a bath, let her 'take' a bath!

 

[jdlehman76]

I am also dealing with this situation with my CAG, Bella. I have tried different size/color misters, I've tried misting from so high up that she isn't aware of the mister, and it seems to be the water rather then the vessel it arrives in that bothers her. I bought a shower perch and am just working on getting her used to being in the shower both while it is on and off. I just added a bird bath to her outdoor cage with the hopes that I can use that to help get her interested in some form of bathing.

 

[Allicastery]

It took a few minutes of spritzing ace for him to learn that he loooovvveesss showers. I'd recommend the same thing as gracie said. You could also try turning the shower on high for a few minutes, turn it off and let her get used to the puddles, make sure your shower is clean though.

 

[Jerseyjeff62]

My Gracie will tolerate the spray bottle but so far not a fan of the sink or the shower/tub,I got her a tub that goes into her cage and she'll splash her head in that.havent tried the shower with me in it with her yet

 

[cnyguy]

I'm having the same issues with Scooter the CAG that I just took in. Her owner told me that Scooter hasn't had a bath for eleven years. I tried the mist bottle yesterday, after Ralph the QP had his bath, and she tolerated it for about thirty seconds, then started growling. It will be a project, but I can be as stubborn as a parrot, and eventually, I hope to have her accepting a misting or splashing in some water.

 

[Brittany741]

Persie also never had a bath for five years.

I used Vetericyn for her first few spray downs. She got two mists and then a good, true washing in the sink. It took four baths total to get what's left of her feathers clean. She was greasy and her feathers were almost black. It was awful.

I understand your pain seeing your new baby in such a condition, but give it some time. Persie doesn't bite or anything so I shampooed her with some Feather Shine shampoo from King's Cages. I realize most birds would never allow that so just be patient. The clean birdie takes time.

 

[VICTORYCC124]

So I've having her in the bathroom while I'm giving Jewel (Pionus) her showers. Baby seems nosy, but afraid. She has taken interest in watching Charlie (GCC) take bathes in his water dish. I saw her trying to do the "bathing motions" that Charlie does with her water dish, but it's so small she wasn't even getting wet. So I went on Amazon and found 40 oz quick-lock bowls (only like $12!) and ordered one. It arrived today, and I think it will be perfect if I can get to watch Charlie again and make a second attempt at bathing herself in the dish

 

[Christinenc2000]

Persie also never had a bath for five years.

I used Vetericyn for her first few spray downs. She got two mists and then a good, true washing in the sink. It took four baths total to get what's left of her feathers clean. She was greasy and her feathers were almost black. It was awful.

I understand your pain seeing your new baby in such a condition, but give it some time. Persie doesn't bite or anything so I shampooed her with some Feather Shine shampoo from King's Cages. I realize most birds would never allow that so just be patient. The clean birdie takes time.

New one to me. I thought it was bad to put anything on the feathers unless it was advised by a Avian . Just curious

 

[Brittany741]

Persie also never had a bath for five years.

I used Vetericyn for her first few spray downs. She got two mists and then a good, true washing in the sink. It took four baths total to get what's left of her feathers clean. She was greasy and her feathers were almost black. It was awful.

I understand your pain seeing your new baby in such a condition, but give it some time. Persie doesn't bite or anything so I shampooed her with some Feather Shine shampoo from King's Cages. I realize most birds would never allow that so just be patient. The clean birdie takes time.

New one to me. I thought it was bad to put anything on the feathers unless it was advised by a Avian . Just curious

I had to get the grease off of her due to all the zits she had. I only used it the one time and she's had at least 4 baths since with water only. The zits have since cleared up and her skin looks a lot better and her feathers are no longer covered in black greasy stuff. She also hasn't plucked a single feather since she's been here.