Bird in the bath

[Jayyj]

Had a bit of a disaster tonight - Alice has a perch in the bathroom so that if I want to have a bath and there's no one to watch her in the front room she can hang out where she can see me. Normally this is fine and she plays happily until I'm finished. Occasionally she'll come over to the bath and sit on the rim, and today she did that, decided she wanted to taste the water and before I could stop her she was straight in.

I immediately grabbed her and lodged get out and she coughed for a few seconds but seemed ok except for being a bit shocked, and legged it to my shoulder. Then I realised she was covered in bubbles so I put the shower on and both of us went under the shower for a few minutes so she wouldn't have any chemicals from the bubbles on her feathers. She's now fine if a bit clingy, trying to dry off in my shoulder.

So, I think she's ok and no harm done, but I'm just wanting to make sure there's nothing I've missed. Is there any risk for her in ingesting water that had had bubble bath in it, however briefly? If she has ingested anything unpleasant how long would it likely take to show any signs? I can stay up and watch her but I'd hate to go to bed thinking she was ok and have her get ill overnight.

 

[Jayyj]

Looking at her just now her head actually looks relatively dry, as though she bellyflopped but didn't go fully under. Her crest is wet from the shower but her cheeks are pretty dry.

 

[GraciesMom]

Gracie stepped into my bubble bath once - literally before I could catch her she tried to stand on the bubbles lol. She doesn't float well but did land on my leg and look at me like I pushed her.

I did the same thing and rinsed her off then dried her really well (don't want a wet, drafty birdie at night). I thought she might get runny poo from the bubbles/soap but she was fine. I watched to make sure she wasn't sneezing or have water go in her nose/in her ears but everything seemed normal. Only thing I would suggest is to check the bubble bath ingredients & make sure there isn't anything toxic/harmful in them (now adays there are some many "flavors" it's crazy)

 

[Jayyj]

I checked the ingredients and they're just a list of chemical names. She's been playing with a toy for the last ten minutes and is now grinding her beak which she normally does when wet so the signs look good so far. I'll syst up for another hour and make sure nothing changes.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Gracie stepped into my bubble bath once - literally before I could catch her she tried to stand on the bubbles lol. She doesn't float well but did land on my leg and look at me like I pushed her.

I did the same thing and rinsed her off then dried her really well (don't want a wet, drafty birdie at night). I thought she might get runny poo from the bubbles/soap but she was fine. I watched to make sure she wasn't sneezing or have water go in her nose/in her ears but everything seemed normal. Only thing I would suggest is to check the bubble bath ingredients & make sure there isn't anything toxic/harmful in them (now adays there are some many "flavors" it's crazy)

Great Advice. Keep us updated let us know how Alice is doing . She sounds like she will be ok . You took quick action. Good job

 

[DRB]

No offense to any of you on this site, as I'm a rookie owner, but I've often wondered why some let their birds into the shower with them. Seems like an unnecessary risk with no reward to me, despite a bird enjoying the surroundings.

I've always assumed the possibility of soap ingestion was too risky.

Even the closed quarters of a shower seem like a semi dangerous scenario to me.

Just me opinion.

 

[Jayyj]

All seems well today so I think we got away with it. She's banned from going near the bath now though!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Glad Alice is fine after her swim J, LOL

Plum has tried to eat the bubbles before now.

@ DRB it is difficult to provide both complete safety as well as interest and enrichment in what would otherwise be a totally sterile and boring life of a parrot. Unfortunately it isn't always possible to be a psychic and predict every possible action they will make especially when they do the one thing that you would put on the bottom of the list.

 

[GraciesMom]

No offense to any of you on this site, as I'm a rookie owner, but I've often wondered why some let their birds into the shower with them. Seems like an unnecessary risk with no reward to me, despite a bird enjoying the surroundings.

For me it was actually vet orders. Due to Gracie's health issues she wants her bathed daily. While she is a lot less fearful now the vets suggestion at the time when she was terrified was to take her in with me which worked like a charm. For years Gracie was routinely quieted/punished for biting/noise etc. with spray bottles, soakings etc. from previous owners - her terror of water is very real for her & extends even to drinking from water bowls.

I should emphasis I shower first, Gracie waits up on the curtain rod. Once I have all soap/shampoo etc. rinsed off then I bring her down. Same scenario daily she ruffles her feathers & flaps around, runs around splashing and playing nothing harmful involved. I'm simply there as her security blanket I suppose which I'd imagine is why most folks end up resorting to it.

As far as the tub incident went - on cooler days the vet wanted her to hang out in the bathroom for the humidity Gracie just had other ideas lol I do still take her in if I'm soaking in the tub - now I just put her on her stand rather than the tub edge & I shut the shower door. Like Plum said - can't always account for their grand plans

Never thought I'd share my shower with a parrot that's for sure but if it helps her & she enjoys it & it removes her stress then it's worth the very minor inconvenience.

 

[SailBoat]

Regarding the health side of all of this. What you would listen for is any clicks or rasping noise as your parrot breaths normally with in the first twenty-four hours (water), and than a general watch, four or so days after the event. If it becomes steady or ongoing, that would indicate that an air-sack infection has occurred and its time for a quick trip to the Avian Vet. Likelihood: Under two percent!

Bathing: Our DYH Amazon was also punished with the spray bottle and had a true dislike of bathing. Now, over two years later and he as his own wide bowl (like a pie plate) about 3" deep (we fill it to about 2.5" of water) and he has developed a love for dunking. Steps into the bowl with both feet and does a full head dunk. The first time was not so well preformed as he had slipped and ended up head first into the water. He came up with a scornful look, shook his head and then dunked again. Hasn't stopped since. He has also developed a love for showers. If he hears the tell tail sound of shower, he beelines it to the bathroom and lets whoever is showering know that they had forgotten to include him!.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Regarding the health side of all of this. What you would listen for is any clicks or rasping noise as your parrot breaths normally with in the first twenty-four hours (water), and than a general watch, four or so days after the event. If it becomes steady or ongoing, that would indicate that an air-sack infection has occurred and its time for a quick trip to the Avian Vet. Likelihood: Under two percent!

Bathing: Our DYH Amazon was also punished with the spray bottle and had a true dislike of bathing. Now, over two years later and he as his own wide bowl (like a pie plate) about 3" deep (we fill it to about 2.5" of water) and he has developed a love for dunking. Steps into the bowl with both feet and does a full head dunk. The first time was not so well preformed as he had slipped and ended up head first into the water. He came up with a scornful look, shook his head and then dunked again. Hasn't stopped since. He has also developed a love for showers. If he hears the tell tail sound of shower, he beelines it to the bathroom and lets whoever is showering know that they had forgotten to include him!.

Plum suffered the exact same experience and unfortunately has not got to like bathing/showering in any way shape or form

 

[Jayyj]

Alice enjoys spray baths as long as they're not too regular. I often run some water into the sink if she's on the bathroom perch as she can easily reach it and explore, but she generally just takes a few sips and no washing. No idea why the bath was suddenly so attractive - maybe she enjoyed the heat coming off it.

Sail boat, thanks for the tips for what to watch for. She's been absolutely fine today but I'll keep an eye on her breathing this week.

 

[SailBoat]

We started with hiding the spray bottle in a small towel and misted into the air above our DYH Amazon. Slowly moved to him seeing the spray bottle. Once he got comfortable with it, there was no holding him back. But Amazon's 'generally' like baths - but not all.

Hear you! Not an easy place to start from.