My bird won't bathe

**Snorri** · 01-23-2019, 07:41 AM

So, I've had Mochi for about 9 months now, and I've given him countless mist showers, and I always reward him with some millet afterwards, but it's been about two months that I can't get him to get wet at all.
I don't think the temperature is a problem because we are having one of the hottest summers my city ever had. I've tried misting him, giving him a shallow recipient with some water, I had him play a bit with the kitchen sink but he doesn't want to get wet at all. I even tried taking a shower with him on my shoulder, and he didn't seem scared, but he flew away whenever some water fell on him. He just started molting so I thought he'd appreciate a bath, but he just won't get wet. I don't really know what to do, and he's starting to smell a bit bad \: any tips?

**maxollie** · 01-23-2019, 09:57 AM

Take a spritz bottle, and fill it with luke warm water. Did you use warm water when you tried misting him? Then, each day, spritz him a little avoiding water getting in his eyes. This will at least get a small amount of water on the feathers. Then, most likely, he will preen the water off his body and the feathers. Some birds just do not like bathing at all.

**boomer girl** · 01-24-2019, 04:07 PM

Sometimes people also get a big leaf of lettuce wet and hang it on the side of the cage for the birds to rub against. I use to put a bowl of water in Boomers cage and would hop into it about 50% of the time. Tikki my daughters bird will get into any water he sees so we have to cover our glasses, bowls with liquid in them and without a doubt know he will fly to you when you are washing the dishes because he has to get into that water.

**Snorri** · 01-25-2019, 05:12 AM

I always use room tenperature water, but when i got into the shower with him the water was a bit warm (colder than what i usually use to shower).
I will try the lettuce although Mochi is scared of anything bigger than his head, I'll try to take it slowly.
As for the water bowl inside the cage, i should try that. Mochi never goes to the bottom of his cage but maybe that will work! Thank you for the replies!

**Birdmanca** · 01-26-2019, 03:55 PM

Could use a spray plastic bottle and gently squirt water on her for a start.

**Pipers Mom** · 01-29-2019, 09:34 AM

Good luck on the bathing of Mochi. My bird doesn't like to bathe either. My tiel just goes in the shower with my husband. First he will adjust the water, I will give him the bird then he gets him all good and wet, he usually walks to the corner of the shower, than once he is all wet, he does eventually start splashing a little bit. I am the one outside the shower with a towel getting ready for the damp dry. Please let us know how the dish at the bottom of the cage goes.

**Snorri** · 07-23-2019, 06:04 AM

Hey! I havent been around for a while but Mochi is all good now! I found out that getting the water just a tiny bit warm is making a great difference when i spray him
As for the bowl on the bottom of the cage, didn't really work, he just didn't go into it at all, but at least I can mist him now, thank you for all the replies!