How often should i bathe my snake?

i have a ball python whos about 2 years old.
He spends most of his time in his warm hide, even when hes just pooped and hes sitting right next to it (I always clean out the poop as soon as i can, but of course he still cuddles with it for a period of time). whichever part of him touched it smells afterward. Ive read you shouldn't bathe them a lot so you don't stress them out, but im not sure how often i should bathe him, or if it's enough reason to bathe him at all, since he sits in those germs everytime he poops. can anyone help?

It's best to avoid unnecessary stress like bathing. Ball pythons don't need bathed regularly, and shouldn't be bathed unless they have shedding/certain medical problems, or are covered in their own messes, like you said.

But honestly I think it would be better and much less stressful if you just took a cloth dampened with lukewarm water and let him slither through it. Maybe a few times if it's really stuck on him.

alright ill make sure to try that instead of baths, thank you! :)

Short answer: you don't need to bathe your snake.

If your snake is "dirty" from sitting in his pee/poop a warm damp towel will do the trick.

Of course, there's exceptions to every rule. The only time I'll put a snake in the tub is if they've got "sausage butt". A quick soak will take care of that every time.

For a quick "freshen up" I use a baby wipie. Always have them on hand mainly for the dogs.
This assures any poopie or pee traces are removed ;)

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

For a quick "freshen up" I use a baby wipie. Always have them on hand mainly for the dogs.
This assures any poopie or pee traces are removed ;)

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Genius!

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I provide all my snakes large water bowls to swim in. They all take advantage of it from time to time. No sheding issues or cleaning issues. Most even pee and poop in their water. Easy cleaning.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I provide all my snakes large water bowls to swim in. They all take advantage of it from time to time. No sheding issues or cleaning issues. Most even pee and poop in their water. Easy cleaning.

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You are lucky! We have one BP who likes to smear it all over her enclosure, and the other one doesn't mind pooping in his hide at times.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellybeans

For a quick "freshen up" I use a baby wipie. Always have them on hand mainly for the dogs.
This assures any poopie or pee traces are removed ;)

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

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Definitely consider baby wipes a must! So easy, when they decide to nap with poop or play poop paint job. I grab a couple wipes, let them slither through a couple times and all baby fresh!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

I provide all my snakes large water bowls to swim in. They all take advantage of it from time to time. No sheding issues or cleaning issues. Most even pee and poop in their water. Easy cleaning.

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I have always used as large as water dishes as possible, even went all I kept was boas. I personally think most, if not all keepers should do this, (with the exception of breeders). In my opinion it is definitely a must. Again just my 2 cents, Peace. I get it might not be necessary for all species, but for balls I think it’s a great idea.

Baby wipes are great but they do have mild detergent on them, so follow up with a damp paper towel to wipe off the soap.

I actually like the generic ones more than the name brand, as they're thicker and more durable.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

I have always used as large as water dishes as possible, even went all I kept was boas. I personally think most, if not all keepers should do this, (with the exception of breeders). In my opinion it is definitely a must. Again just my 2 cents, Peace. I get it might not be necessary for all species, but for balls I think it’s a great idea.

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I do the same. With the exception of my hognose all my enclosures have 2 large water bowls.

I remember a JKR video where he has several bathing and he makes a joke about people who don't. I don't often but I don't think it's unnecessary stress And can be helpful as part of routine.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Baby wipes are great but they do have mild detergent on them, so follow up with a damp paper towel to wipe off the soap.

I actually like the generic ones more than the name brand, as they're thicker and more durable.

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I've used baby wipies on every animal I've owned.... except for fish. Its harmless or I wouldn't use it ;)

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Personally I wouldn't use baby wipes: not every chemical that's suitable for human skin belongs on our reptiles. Remember their skin can absorb things.
(for that matter, so does ours, & that doesn't stop companies from selling things that aren't fully vetted)

Baby wipes, while "handy", are no more so than a wet paper towel or cloth rag, & cost more, I'd imagine. Remember how small our snakes are compared even
to a human baby...so chemicals of any kind are of more significance.

Back to the original question, bathe your snake whenever it sweats excessively during a work-out :rolleyes: or crawls thru some poo...otherwise, don't worry about it.

Exception: if your snake has mites, by all means bathe them once a day to get rid of as many mites as possible by drowning; a drop or 2 of mild soap in the
water reduces surface tension making sure the mites don't survive.

Also: if a snake seems constipated (aka "sausage butt"), a soak & a swim in a large tub of lukewarm water often gets "results". ;)

A good soak works wonders for dehydrated snakes as well ;)


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And snakes don't really sweat...I was kidding! ;)

Typically mine only get bathed if they have crawled through or sat in/on urates/feces. Most of my snakes avoid their messes, except my BEL and my boa...the boa in particular tends to just sit in it or spread it on every available surface of the cage. When any of them do get a bath, it’s just water with no soap.