So my chameleon continues to drink out of the dish that I have the dripper dripping into. I was just wondering if this is bad for him? I empty it out once a day so it isnt sitting in there for long. His urates are good and I mist the cage multiple times a day but for some reason he prefers to bypass all the droplets on the vine and go right for the dish at the bottom. Any advice would be appreciated!!
Drinking out of water dish???
- Thread starter sagolle
- Start date
As far as drinking from it, its not the norm, but there isn't anything wrong with it. I will say, since you have a chameleon that has decided to be weird 
, you will have to make sure to clean that bowl constantly! He may actually be drinking from other sources as well but however he is getting hydrated works for him! 
, you will have to make sure to clean that bowl constantly! He may actually be drinking from other sources as well but however he is getting hydrated works for him! foshizzle11
New Member
haha, that is sweet, I wish mine did that. I worry constantly that she isn't drinking enough but she doesn't seem dehydrated so i'm sure she is fine.
very cool though!
very cool though!
werecat
Established Member
I would just wash it thoroughly with dish soap and hot water daily. Make sure you rinse it off well. I suppose if the bowl is dishwasher safe you might want to run it through that once in awhile since the water usually gets hot enough to sanitize, but I'm sure dish soap in the sink is fine for daily cleaning.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
Good heavens- do you guys have lizards besides chameleons? Or other pets? Do you think something magic happens when a water bowl is put into a chameleon's cage that doesn't happen with any other animal's water bowl?
For years when I used glass enclosures for my chams, I dripped into catch bowls to provide water for the chameleons. They drank from the bowls no problem- the dripping and splashing attracted them initially. Every day I dumped the bowl, rinsed and/or washed/wiped it out depending on the condition of the bowl, and replaced it prior to running a drip again.
It's a great system- worked every time for dozens of chameleons...
Standing water that is regularly and appropriately changed is no more of a health hazard than for any other lizard.
For years when I used glass enclosures for my chams, I dripped into catch bowls to provide water for the chameleons. They drank from the bowls no problem- the dripping and splashing attracted them initially. Every day I dumped the bowl, rinsed and/or washed/wiped it out depending on the condition of the bowl, and replaced it prior to running a drip again.
It's a great system- worked every time for dozens of chameleons...
Standing water that is regularly and appropriately changed is no more of a health hazard than for any other lizard.
After the thousands of suggestions to members about NOT having a waterfall in enclosures it is not a bad question. The difference is that in your case the bowl (I'm assuming) is easily removable and can be cleaned on a regular basis. Yes, very hot water, and some mild dish soap should be fine!
The problem I find with water bowls of any type is when we as owners get "lazy" and skip cleaning them. (This becomes even more likely if it is difficult to get to.) I've been known to skip emptying my catch bucket for my misting system from time to time...
sniff,.....sniff,.......excuse me for a moment...(SPLASH)........
and it can get pretty messy and disgusting!
Remember that there is no one answer to any question, and just because it is a general rule doesn't mean it is the only way. I will say, in my experience with many reptiles, chameleons do offer some more unique challenges than quite a few other types, so I don't think I would just assume what works for one works for all.
The only time something magical happens is when I accidentally use one of my enchanted bowls. Of course nothing magical would happen from using just a regular bowl.
The problem I find with water bowls of any type is when we as owners get "lazy" and skip cleaning them. (This becomes even more likely if it is difficult to get to.) I've been known to skip emptying my catch bucket for my misting system from time to time...
sniff,.....sniff,.......excuse me for a moment...(SPLASH)........
and it can get pretty messy and disgusting!
Remember that there is no one answer to any question, and just because it is a general rule doesn't mean it is the only way. I will say, in my experience with many reptiles, chameleons do offer some more unique challenges than quite a few other types, so I don't think I would just assume what works for one works for all.
The only time something magical happens is when I accidentally use one of my enchanted bowls. Of course nothing magical would happen from using just a regular bowl.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Its possible he "learned" about dishes from prior care. Whatever. He's figured it out and there's no particular reason why he shouldn't. If you have to empty the container daily anyway the water should be fine. If its deep enough that he might not be able to rescue himself easily, you could always put a rock in it to give him something to grab onto.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude and wasn't aiming to make anyone look like an idiot. I'm just honestly surprised at some of the thinking.
Dogs don't poop in the dish, but they eat poop given the chance. LOL
Seriously though- most lizards sometimes poop in their water dish. It isn't a risk only for chameleons. Bearded dragons, iguanas, leopard geckos- anything with a standard water dish. It might be gross to us, but it isn't a huge problem. Just clean the dish regularly.
Psychobunny
Avid Member
A few of my guyz do drink standing water from a little orange Gatorade cap
that I have my dripper dripping into. So it was the movement of the dripping
water that made them discover it. So they remember and go to the cap
assuming there will be water in it, even if the dripper is off.
So I have to make sure its clean, and full of fresh water.
One time, I caught Smeagol lapping water from a small feeder bowl on the
floor, which had gathered water from the dripper. He may not have even known there was water in it, but he has learned that there is always something good in that bowl, so he goes and takes a lick, and gets a surprise
that I have my dripper dripping into. So it was the movement of the dripping
water that made them discover it. So they remember and go to the cap
assuming there will be water in it, even if the dripper is off.
So I have to make sure its clean, and full of fresh water.
One time, I caught Smeagol lapping water from a small feeder bowl on the
floor, which had gathered water from the dripper. He may not have even known there was water in it, but he has learned that there is always something good in that bowl, so he goes and takes a lick, and gets a surprise
