What to do with Lucy when I am cleaning her tank

[dolfun55]

Good Morning!

I am a new reptile owner. I got my leopard gecko back in July. She was just a lil thing but is growing and is a pretty happy girl most of the time.
She loves to get out and roam around the bed and is a great eater.

The only problem I have is when I clean her tank. I take her out and put her in a clear rubbermaid tub while I clean her tank out.
She is not at all pleased with this process. When I put her back in her clean house she will have nothing to do with me for a few days.
When I put my hand in there for her to crawl up she goes the other way and all but hides from me like she is afraid I am going to put her back in that mean ol' tub again. After a few days she seems to get over it but I am concerned. Am I doing something wrong? Is this normal?

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome...thanks everyone!!

Kelly

 

[Dinosaur!]

don't worry! a couple of my younger/newer geckos do the same thing! it reminds me of a toddler getting a toy taken away, and giving you the silent treatment! they get over it, and will be more used to it over time! hope this helped!

 

[j&k lemmy]

Put some food in the tub when you do your cleaning or have somebody hold your gecko

 

[Chessie]

I would put some sort of hide in the tub, so she feels more secure in it. Going from cozy house to bare open tub, could be really scary for a little gecko.

 

[dolfun55]

I put some meal worms in there this last time and she wouldnt even sniff them.
I even talked to her while I was cleaning in hopes that she would know its ok.

 

[dolfun55]

Ok shew! This was really troubling me lol. I have grown to just adore this lil animal and I dont want her upset or stressed.
I will give that a try for sure this next time and let you know how she does.
I did try putting a few meal worms in the tub with her in hopes she would maybe munch on those while I was busy and I talked to her as well hoping it would keep her calm.

Do you think putting a hide in the tub would help?

Thanks again!!
Kelly

 

[dolfun55]

Oh thats a good idea I will give that a try next time and let you now how she does.
She really isnt very little anymore but she is still young. This is probably the 3rd time I have cleaned her tank and she has done this everytime. I even tried putting some meal worms in the tub with her in hopes she would munch on them while I was busy and I talk to her in hopes of keeping her calm.

I have pondered letting her sit on my shoulder while I clean but I dont want her to get any ideas about jumping and I dont want her the vinegar/water mix fumes to hurt her. I just adore this little creature and want the best for her!

 

[dolfun55]

Well I came home from work today and I had to beg for it but Lucy finally gave in and climbed up my hand!

 

[Chessie]

Awww, she'll come around. Eventually it will just be the normal routine for her. I do think something she could hide in or under while in the tub would help though. That has to feel a little like being abducted by aliens.

 

[KTyne]

I think you are putting too much human emotion on to your Gecko and seeing her like she was a Dog. She may get a bit stressed being put in an empty bin when you clean but she sure as heck isn't slighting you because you did it.
When I clean my Geckos enclosures fully (like, not just replacing paper towel but wiping it down with vinegar/water solution) I just put them in a bin. With my girl Gaia I'll just put her on the shoulder and she'll just chill there until I'm done.
OR, I'll get my Partner to come over and hold whatever Gecko needs watched while I clean their enclosure.
It's no big deal, young Geckos are jumpy and moody anyways. My first Leo, Gaia, would tail wag at me and was a total Diva up until she was over a year old. Now she is super calm and chill.

 

[dolfun55]

I think you are probably right about the emotion thing for sure lol.
I have had dogs my whole life and this is my first reptile so its been an adjustment in realizing that they are WAY different!
She still wasnt happy with me this morning. I fed her and she was cool with that but I offered my hand for some "play" time and she swished her tail at me.
She has never done that before. Seems she is super ticked lol. I left her be and will try again after work.

I have thought about putting her on my should while I clean but I am a little concerned she will try to jump if she gets startled and I wont be able to catch her with my head in her tank cleaning. Its worth a shot though to not stress her. She loved being out of her house running on the bed or crawling on me so maybe it would be ok.

I just adore this little creature and dont want to do anything to tramatize her or anything but again you are probably right, I am putting to much emotion into it!

 

[dolfun55]

She still wasnt happy with me this morning. I fed her and she was cool with that but I offered my hand for some "play" time and she swished her tail at me.
She has never done that before. Seems she is super ticked lol. I left her be and will try again after work.

Something to hide in while she is in the tub seems like a really good idea!