Shower method

[Peeps101]

I just had a quick question for hydration reasons, the only way Silly will drink is if I hold up my hand held mister near him and if he wants water he’ll push his mouth against it and open/close his mouth. This worked well for a while but I’ve been thinking of some other methods. I do mist his enclosure a lot, (with live plants) and I never see him drink water from the leaves, though he might when I’m not around. I tried the shower method today, aimed it at a wall while warm water created a mist on him and his plant but... it scared the living sh*t out of him. I also know horn worms are good but only here and there. Is there a way I could get him used to the shower or another method? Thanks!

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I just had a quick question for hydration reasons, the only way Silly will drink is if I hold up my hand held mister near him and if he wants water he’ll push his mouth against it and open/close his mouth. This worked well for a while but I’ve been thinking of some other methods. I do mist his enclosure a lot, (with live plants) and I never see him drink water from the leaves, though he might when I’m not around. I tried the shower method today, aimed it at a wall while warm water created a mist on him and his plant but... it scared the living sh*t out of him. I also know horn worms are good but only here and there. Is there a way I could get him used to the shower or another method? Thanks!

Hello it’s not unusual to not see your chameleon drink . Shower method should only ever be used if they’re severely dehydrated . It’s very stressful for them . Do you have a Dripper ?

 

[Peeps101]

Hello it’s not unusual to not see your chameleon drink . Shower method should only ever be used if they’re severely dehydrated . It’s very stressful for them . Do you have a Dripper ?

I do have a dripper, I’d have to cut a hole in the roof of the cage, and his eyes have sunken in just a tiny bit but it’s best to get him perked up asap instead of waiting

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I do have a dripper, I’d have to cut a hole in the roof of the cage, and his eyes have sunken in just a tiny bit but it’s best to get him perked up asap instead of waiting

Yes agreed , you can use a plastic bottle with a teeny hole , you want about two drops per four seconds . If you do not want to cut a hole in your screen .

 

[Carlton]

I just had a quick question for hydration reasons, the only way Silly will drink is if I hold up my hand held mister near him and if he wants water he’ll push his mouth against it and open/close his mouth. This worked well for a while but I’ve been thinking of some other methods. I do mist his enclosure a lot, (with live plants) and I never see him drink water from the leaves, though he might when I’m not around. I tried the shower method today, aimed it at a wall while warm water created a mist on him and his plant but... it scared the living sh*t out of him. I also know horn worms are good but only here and there. Is there a way I could get him used to the shower or another method? Thanks!

There is more to hydration than drinking. Its fine to get him to drink from the nozzle directly. I like teaching my chams to do this because I get a better idea of how reliably they are drinking if I'm right there watching it. Misting the enclosure helps provide them with a humid environment...which in turn helps them maintain their body moisture through respiration and allows them to keep their eyes clean. If the foliage provides water droplets over a longer period each day, they can seek them out for a drink when I'm not there.

 

[Kaizen]

@Kristen Wilkins has given some sage advice here. The shower method has been the subject of many recent controversies, and many experienced keepers no longer endorse it. Sunken eyes can be a sign of all sorts of things, not just dehydration. Use a dripper, and keep your humidity above 90% during lights out.

 

[Kaizen]

@Carlton ’s advice is also helpful

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/ @Peeps101 if you have not filled the ask for help out you may want to . It’s helpful to see how your currently keeping Silly . If you add pics of Silly and the enclosure that’s also helpful .

 

[Gingero]

I second... triple... idk what number to use... what everyone said above. I'm going to include this video about watering your chameleon that includes info about humidity, dehydration, and hydrating your chameleon.




Also this video about poop which can be a great tool to tell if your chameleon is hydrated/dehydrated.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

If anyone want to add their humidifiers might be helpful as well . I know there’s a few different ones .