Pooping Jiboo

This is the ritual that Jiboo and I have down to a pseudo-science.  I'll try and mention every detail so that those of you with iguanas that would like to "poop" them in your bathtub will get the most thorough impression of how we go about it.

Theory
Training your iguana to defecate in the bathtub accomplishes several things.  Firstly, the enclosure doesn't get dirty and smelly, which can lead to bacterial hosts making their way into your iguana, their food, and maybe even you.  Iguana feces sometimes contain the salmonella virus, so cleanliness is paramount.  Secondly, your iguana will (hopefully) learn to appreciate the routine, of which the species is evidently fond.  Warm water is a defecation cue.  Also, the moisture is crucial to an iguana's skin, which must remain pliable and supple through hydration.  Swimming is a natural form of exercise for these otherwise languid loungers of the canopy.  The process of shedding their skin is greatly aided by daily baths as well.  The benefits of the "daily poop" in the bathtub are many, I've learned.  Jiboo and I have spent alot of quality time in the bathroom together.  (?)

Caveat
Pooping your iguana daily in a bathtub can become a habit for your iguana.  Beware of beginning this ritual without being committed to consistency.  Iguanas are creatures of extreme habit, and if you forget to poop them one day, they may hold onto their load and that can lead to myriad medical problems.  If you do it, do it!

Preparation
Ig-proof your bathroom.  Remove everything off the floor and make absolutely sure there's nothing they could squeeze into.  Secure the cabinets, close the toilet lid, take the shower curtain and stash it outside the tub so they can't climb out.

Procedure

1.  The Fill:  Temperature is very important.  Too hot and you'll cook your ig (bad).  Too cold and you might shock them with the temperature change. Since iguanas can't regulate their own body temperature, this could lead to difficulties you may as well avoid.  The rule I follow is "pleasantly warm."  If you wouldn't mind sliding into the tub yourself, then the water's probably okay.  As far as depth goes, I fill the "deep end" to about two inches for Jiboo (46" STL), but for your iguana, make the deep end just above their midline when they're flat on the bottom.  Toy around with the water height and find out what's comfy for your ig.

2.  In Ya Go:  Be gentle!  If they dive in, they hey.  If they resist, be patient and hang out together for a bit before trying again.  If your ig absolutely refuses to get in there, then remain in the bathroom together for a little while so that the ig gets the impression that the big white tub isn't a threat.  Try again the next day.

3.  The Preamble. Usually I'll slowly cup my hand and spread water over Jiboo's back, gently massaging his spikes and flanks.  He seems to enjoy this, and if he's shedding, oh man he'll sit still for that 'til the cows come home.  Sometimes he's not interested in pooping, so he'll scamper and scurry to get out.  It's a judgment call whether I take him out based on a) when he pooped last and b) how hard he's trying to escape.  If he looks really really not interested, I'll haul him out and towel him off.  However, if he is interested...

4.  The Poop.  Sometimes you'll be blessed with a fart.  It's times like these that I'm truly grateful to be an ig dad.  It kills me.

5.  The Scoop.  Here's where practice makes perfect.  Have a DEDICATED Poopie Cup.  Mine's a Barney's Coffee Cup.  Never catch yourself taking this thing out of your bathroom, or you might find yourself gagging over your morning coffee when you remember that your cup might contain more than your regular decaf.  The Scoop remains an elusive art for me, even after three months of nightly poops.  The trick is to swiftly and surely get that cup to the poopie the minute it floats away from your ig's vent.  I'm not sure if it's normal for all iguanas, but Jiboo pushes his anus out (I think that's what it is) when he's done.  Y'know, one last push.  When I see this and that poopie comes free, I snag it.  Dip the cup sideways onto the surface of the water just beside the poopie and push straight down.  The water (and poopie) should flow swiftly into the cup, pulling the poopie with it.  Have your toilet lid open and just dump it in there.  Careful not to splash (obvious).  The faster you get those poopies Scooped out and flushed, the less chance of having to run the Rinse Cycle.

6.  The Rinse Cycle:  If the Scoop isn't a clean one, the water will get full of poopies.  Use caution to avoid contact with the feces if you can when removing your iguana from the tub.  If your iguana gets muddy, take them out and drain the tub, minding that all poopies are gone.  Rinse it out with your Poopie Cup, then fill with warm water again, only you can use less water.  Put the ig back in and rinse gently with your hands until all poopies are gone.  Then, if you've got a squeaky-clean iguana, you can remove them.

7.  The Towel:  When Jiboo comes out, I sit on the toilet lid and cross my legs so that he can rest on my knee, body trailing down my thigh.  Jiboo has his own towel, and I recommend that your iguana have their own as well.  I'll slowly cover him with it just behind his head so that it looks like he's wearing a shawl.  Rub slowly and firmly WITH the grain of the scales, as rubbing the other way can be uncomfortable and possibly cause injury for the animal.  It's important to make sure the animal is completely dry so they don't catch a chill because they're still damp.  Also, make sure they're back under their heat source long enough before lights-out to completely dry off and warm back up.

8.  The Cleanup:  When the tub's been drained and there's no trace of feces left, I'll sprinkle some disinfectant and scrub the bottom and sides of the tub thoroughly.  I use Comet cleanser and it works great, plus it's blue.