How To Bathe A Turtle (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Bathe a Turtle PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Bathing an Aquatic Turtle 2 Bathing a Tortoise or Semi-Aquatic Turtle Other Sections Expert Q&A Video Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Last Updated: May 3, 2025 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 13 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 321,359 times.

Both aquatic turtles and tortoises can benefit greatly from a regular cleaning. Bathing is important for tortoises because it allows them a chance to rehydrate.[1] It also gives you a chance to clean algal growths and shedding skin off an aquatic turtle.[2] The procedure for bathing these animals is very similar, but a bit more caution is needed when bathing a tortoise. Be sure to wash your hands well after bathing your pet to avoid salmonella contamination.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Bathing an Aquatic Turtle

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  1. Step 1 Bathe your turtle occasionally. 1 Bathe your turtle occasionally. Aquatic turtles spend the majority of their lives in the water and if their tanks are kept clean, rarely need a special bath. However, your turtle might benefit from a cleaning if it starts to develop algae on its shell, or when it is shedding to help remove dead skin cells.[3]
    • When your turtle is shedding skin, you may notice flaky patches of skin on its neck, tail or legs. This is normal.
    • If your turtle sheds a lot, however, it might mean a problem with the tank or the turtle's health, and you should consult with your vet.
  2. Step 2 Obtain a dedicated turtle-washing tub. 2 Obtain a dedicated turtle-washing tub. Turtles can harbor salmonella bacteria, which can make humans very ill, so it is important that you not bathe your turtle in the sink or bathtub. Salmonella is very resistant to disinfectants, so the best course of action is to buy or find a special tub for bathing your turtle, and use it only for that purpose.[4]
    • A plastic bucket or wash tub makes an ideal tortoise bath; just make sure it's large enough to accommodate your turtle.
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  3. Step 3 Assemble your other supplies. 3 Assemble your other supplies. To bathe your turtle, you just need a tub, a toothbrush, and a jug or pitcher of lukewarm water, preferably de-chlorinated beforehand . You should not use any kind of soap or shampoo on your turtle, unless it was specifically recommended by your vet.[5]
  4. Step 4 Fill the tub with water and gently place your turtle in the tub. 4 Fill the tub with water and gently place your turtle in the tub. The water should be room temperature water that has preferably been dechlorinated. Add at least enough water to reach the turtle's chin, more if you'd like to let it swim around a bit.
  5. Step 5 Scrub the turtle's shell. 5 Scrub the turtle's shell. Use a toothbrush and gently scrub the turtle's entire shell, paying special attention to any areas of buildup. Remember that the turtle can feel his shell, so do not scrub too hard. Then scrub the turtle's legs, tail, and neck, but be careful with these areas as they are more sensitive. Finally, scrub the turtle's plastron (belly), and be sure to remove all algae and dirt between the scutes or scales.[6]
    • Do not use any kind of soap or polish on your turtle, this could injure it or make it ill!
  6. Step 6 Inspect your turtle as you scrub it. 6 Inspect your turtle as you scrub it. This is the perfect time to check your turtle all over for any sign of injury or disease. If you see anything out of the ordinary, take your turtle to the veterinarian to have it checked out right away. Common signs of turtle illness include swollen eyelids or ears, other swellings on the body, skin abnormalities, and discolored or fuzzy patches on the shell that may indicate shell rot.[7]
  7. Step 7 Rinse your turtle and return it to its tank. 7 Rinse your turtle and return it to its tank. Once your turtle is clean, you can rinse your newly shiny pet by pouring de-chlorinated water over it from a jug or pitcher before returning it to its enclosure.
  8. Step 8 Dispose of bathwater carefully. 8 Dispose of bathwater carefully. To avoid the risk of salmonella contamination, you should not pour your turtle's bathwater down the sink. Flush it down the toilet, instead, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water when you are done.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Bathing a Tortoise or Semi-Aquatic Turtle

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  1. Step 1 Bathe your tortoise often. 1 Bathe your tortoise often. Tortoises should be bathed at least 3-4 times per week. Some experts recommend bathing them every day when the weather is warm.
  2. Step 2 Obtain a dedicated tortoise-washing tub. 2 Obtain a dedicated tortoise-washing tub. Tortoises can harbor salmonella bacteria, which can make humans very ill, so it is important that you not bathe your turtle in the sink or bathtub. Salmonella is very resistant to disinfectants, so the best course of action is to buy or find a special tub for bathing your turtle, and use it only for that purpose.[8]
    • A plastic bucket, wash tub, or kitty litter pan makes an ideal tortoise bath; just make sure it's large enough to accommodate your tortoise.
  3. Step 3 Assemble your other supplies. 3 Assemble your other supplies. To bathe your tortoise, you just need a tub, a toothbrush, and a jug or pitcher of lukewarm water. You should not use any kind of soap or shampoo on your turtle, unless it was specifically recommended by your vet.[9]
  4. Step 4 Place the tortoise in the tub and slowly add the water. 4 Place the tortoise in the tub and slowly add the water. The water should be room temperature. Add the water slowly until it is the depth of the tortoise's chin, or a bit shallower. Don't add more water than this, as most tortoises can't swim and could drown if their head is below water. It can also be helpful to rest the bowl on a book, so that your create a "deep" and a "shallow" end in the water. Place the chelonian with his head at the shallow end. This enables his anus to be below the water line, which is great because they drink through their anus so it's a great way of making sure he is well hydrated.
    • Adding the water after the tortoise is in the tub ensures that you will not accidentally make the water too deep.
  5. Step 5 Let the tortoise soak. 5 Let the tortoise soak. Just let your tortoise be in the water for 10 to 20 minutes. During this time the tortoise will drink water, and rehydrate further by absorbing water through its tail. It will also likely pass waste at this time.
    • Usually it is sufficient to just let your tortoise soak and skip to the rinsing step, but once a week or so, you should give the tortoise a good scrub.
  6. Step 6 Pour out the soiled water, and refill the tub with clean water. 6 Pour out the soiled water, and refill the tub with clean water. Be sure to lift the tortoise out of the water while you pour the water out, to make sure it doesn't fall.
  7. Step 7 Scrub the tortoise's shell. 7 Scrub the tortoise's shell. Use a toothbrush and gently scrub the entire shell, paying special attention to any areas of buildup. Then scrub the tortoise's legs, tail, and neck, but be careful with these areas as they are more sensitive. Finally, scrub the turtle's plastron (belly), and be sure to remove all dirt between the scutes or scales.[10]
  8. Step 8 Inspect your tortoise as you scrub it. 8 Inspect your tortoise as you scrub it. This is the perfect time to check your tortoise all over for any sign of injury or disease. If you see anything out of the ordinary, take your turtle to the veterinarian to have it checked out right away. Common signs of illness include swollen eyelids or ears, other swellings on the body, skin abnormalities, and discolored or fuzzy patches on the shell that may indicate shell rot.[11]
  9. Step 9 Rinse and dry the tortoise. 9 Rinse and dry the tortoise. Rinse your tortoise thoroughly using lukewarm water from your pitcher. Then place the tortoise on a towel, and wrap it up and over the tortoise to thoroughly blot the tortoise dry. You can then return your shiny, clean tortoise back to its enclosure.[12]
  10. Step 10 Dispose of soiled bathwater carefully. 10 Dispose of soiled bathwater carefully. To avoid the risk of salmonella contamination, you should not pour soiled tortoise-water down the sink. Flush it down the toilet, instead, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water when you are done.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Why shouldn't I use soap when bathing a turtle? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer Turtles 'drink' or absorb water through their anuses. If you use soap, this means the turtle will ingest it, which is likely to cause an upset tummy. Think of it in terms of drinking soapy bathwater, not something you want to do. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 93
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/63.asp#q7
  2. ↑ https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/bath.html
  3. ↑ https://www.turtlecare.net/home/turtle-topics-parent/creams
  4. ↑ https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/aem.03109-13
  5. ↑ https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/bath.html
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXhX9tXTUao
  7. ↑ https://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/turtles-aquatic-diseases/1074
  8. ↑ https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/aem.03109-13
  9. ↑ https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/bath.html
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/bath.html
  2. ↑ https://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/turtles-aquatic-diseases/1074
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89ywL8fmIU

About This Article

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 321,359 times. 4 votes - 100% Co-authors: 22 Updated: May 3, 2025 Views: 321,359 Categories: Turtles and Tortoises Article SummaryX

To bathe an aquatic turtle, start by filling a plastic tub with enough room temperature water to reach your turtle’s chin. Make sure to use a tub that's dedicated to turtle washing, since turtles can harbor salmonella bacteria. Additionally, avoid using soaps or shampoos, which are unsafe for aquatic animals. Then, place your turtle in the tub and scrub its shell with a toothbrush. Next, use the toothbrush to scrub its legs, tails, neck, and belly, making sure to be extra gentle with these areas. Finally, rinse your turtle with clean water and return it to its enclosure. For more advice from our Veterinary reviewer, including how to bathe a tortoise or semi-aquatic turtle, keep reading. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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  • Zoe P.

    Zoe P.

    Oct 3, 2025

    "I now know how to bathe my box turtle and why you should not use soap. I now bathe my turtle regularly and I think..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Co-authors: 22 Updated: May 3, 2025 Views: 321,359 100% of readers found this article helpful. 4 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Zoe P.

Zoe P.

Oct 3, 2025

"I now know how to bathe my box turtle and why you should not use soap. I now bathe my turtle regularly and I think..." more Laura Bethurem

Laura Bethurem

Oct 31, 2018

"I have a tiny turtle named Littlefoot. I did not know I needed to bathe him, thank you for all the lovely articles...." more Evonne Vazquez

Evonne Vazquez

Oct 31, 2018

"Thanks. This article helped me decide whether to go to the vet or not. Also, to bathe my water turtle more. Thanks!" Sandy Graham

Sandy Graham

May 4, 2016

"Was concerned I was keeping my snapping turtles too clean. Thanks for the advice. They are amazing pets. :)" Sienah Mendoza

Sienah Mendoza

Feb 4, 2017

"This article helped me because I want to know how to wash the turtles. I'm taking notes about turtles." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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