Giving your Leopard Gecko a sugar bath seems like the ultimate sweet sounding spa pampering treatment for your pet and is the definition of high-life.
Unfortunately it isn’t the pinnacle of reptile keeping but it does serve a very useful purpose that helps maintain the health of your leopard gecko. In short, it’s to help your leopard gecko through a couple of potential issues that may arise.
Giving your Leopard Gecko a sugar bath is often one way to assist with shedding or for treatment of a prolapsed hemipene after mating.
What is a sugar bath?
A sugar bath is essentially a bath that is filled with warm water and a teaspoon of sugar. You will want to use a small container that is slightly bigger than your leopard gecko, big enough so that he can soak in his bath without being fully submerged under water.
Leopard geckos are not instinctively fond of water or baths for fear of drowning so ensure that you keep it shallow.
Make sure the sugar is dissolved in the water before placing your leopard gecko inside, this make sure that no sugar crystals can be left on the skin which can cause issues later.
Another thing important to pay attention to is keeping the water temperature between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit due to leopard geckos being cold blooded.
The water should only cover the base of the tail so that they are largely not submerged, and use circular motion when bathing your Leo to coat their back to soften and gently clean the skin.
When should you give your Leopard Gecko a sugar bath?
Generally, you shouldn’t wash a leopard gecko more than once or twice a month depending on the specific situation. Commonly, there are only a couple reasons why your leopard gecko may be due for a bath.
If you notice him having a hard time shedding his skin or is noticeably dirty then it is definitely time to give him a bath. Although, if he’s not in need of a bath do not bathe him randomly as leopard geckos do not need regular baths per se.
Too much exposure to water can cause their skin to become too dry which could potentially lead to an infection on the skin.
The other reason a sugar bath becomes a part of your routine with the Leo is the common ailment of a prolapsed hemipene after mating. When this is the case, let the Leo soak in the shallow sugar bath mix. The water should reach only up to the base of the tail. This allows the prolapsed member to lose some of its inflammation and return to its natural position.
For a more in depth guide on looking after your Gecko, please have a look at our all encompassing care guide which is a handy reference for gecko owners.
What are the benefits of a sugar bath?
Helps him to shed skin if he’s having trouble, this is an important part of the their growth and ongoing environmental comfort. Sometimes leopard geckos will have a hard time with shedding which is a problem that commonly happens.
Let your gecko soak for a short time and then start to just slightly rub in small circles to get the skin to gently shed. Avoid forcing it as this could cause discomfort.
The post-mating issues that leopard geckos can experience after mating are always essential to look out for. Clearing out infection from the hemipene is important for obvious reasons.
Make sure you know whether your leopard gecko needs a bath before attempting to bathe him. As stated above, too frequent of baths can lead to dry skin which in turn leads to possible infection. Consult your veterinarian before making any decisions.
