General Care Discussion :: Turtle Bathing...

[Tattoo]

I read of people bathing their turts on here all the time. How often do I need to clean my Turbo? How and with what do I bath him ?

[Safdar]

Its not really neccesary.
If you want you can use a soft tooth brush and brush his shell
And run him through tap water
Do not use any soap or antibacterial

[Tenodera]

Yea, and unless your turtle has algae or stuff on his shell it really isn't necessary to brush him at all.

I wouldn't use cold water, I would use lukewarm. and yea, do NOT use ANY kind of soap.

[steve]

I read of people bathing their turts on here all the time. How often do I need to clean my Turbo? How and with what do I bath him ?

I'm sorry, but can you point to some examples of this? Examples when this was declared a "good idea" would be helpful.

[Safdar]

I think he saw people doing this
When their turtles have algae on their shell or other issues
and people suggested the brushing
He might have missinterpreted it

[Tattoo]

not sure if it was a good idea but i will search to see where i read this. Whom ever wrote about it might of had an algae problem. I am not sure. I have not done it but I was wondering if I was supposed to or not. I would think it would scare the turt.

[Safdar]

Thats true, but when the certain shell problems make it nessacry for you to do it
Its best for the turtle to get it done

[Tattoo]

Never recall saying or seeing that this was a good idea.

[steve]

If you are reading that people are doing something, it would be wise to completely read that topic so you know what is being discussed. That way you will know if it applies to your situation or at the very least that it is a good idea.

[Tattoo]

Maybe I read something that I might have not understood. That would be a good reason to ask about it. That is what this place is for...RIGHT? Safdar and Tenodera, thanks for your help. Steve, thanks for you rude smartness.

[steve]

I wasn't rude, and if I wanted to be, I'd certainly let you know it.

[Tattoo]

yeah ok thanks for your help again

[meandmyturtles]

the vet told me to "bath the turtles once a week, I use a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water I don't "run" the turtles under the water I just wet the brush and gently wash thier shells, suppossed to help keep thier shells healthy

[megcornell]

I think Steve made a good point about reading the whole topic, a lot of times people propose things but once you read on you see a lot of reasons why that idea is a poor one. You have to use a bit of common sense to navigate through forums, not everything written is ideal for every turtle. So it's good you asked about bathing before doing it.
As for the bathing, the rule of thumb I use with my turtle is that I don't like to do anything that would cause her stress and has no real benefit. I think bathing falls under that category (unless its a special case like shell rot where a special soaking solution in needed)- there's no reason to run your turtle under tap water, she can take care of her own shell.

[Tattoo]

Thanks for breaking it down for me megcornell! That is what I was looking for.