Have you ever seen an animal rolling around in the dirt and wondered just why on earth they do that? Is it just for fun? To scratch an itch? Or is there a more important reason?
Dust bathing is exactly what it sounds like—when an animal rolls or moves around in dirt or sand. Biologists classify it as a “maintenance behavior” and the main purpose is thought to be for removing parasites such as mites and fleas from the fur, feathers, or skin. For some animals, it may also serve as a way to transmit pheromones onto the ground to mark their territory. As strange as it may sound, dust bathing also appears to help keep an animal’s feathers or hair coat clean and healthy!
Birds will squat close to the ground to take a dust bath, wriggling their bodies and flapping their wings to stir up the dust. This allows it get in between their feathers and reach the skin. This is usually followed by shaking to further ruffle the feathers and then birds will often preen themselves with their bill.
Domestic chickens love to dust bathe. They will scratch at the ground with their feet or bills, then squat into the dust, shaking their wings, rubbing their head, raking their bill, and scratching with one leg. As with other bird species, dust collects between the feathers and is then shaken off.
Chickens will dust bathe just about anywhere so you will want to create an ideal environment rather than have them dust bathe in their own manure. One healthy option is to provide Poultry Dust in a pan or tray which will help ensure external parasite removal and allow them to participate in natural dust bathing behaviors.
Mammals
Many different mammal species like to roll in dirt or sand, which may also help with parasites or help them to dry off after exercise or getting wet. Dust bathing in mammals may also be a way of aiding with thermoregulation, sun protection, and scent-marking.
Some mammals that dust bathe include:
- Bison
- Cape ground squirrel
- Chinchilla
- Domestic cat
- Domestic dog
- Elephant
- Gerbil
- Hamster
- Horse
- Kangaroo rat
- Llama
- Pig
- Prairie dog
If you keep any of these animals as pets or farm animals, it’s important that you allow them to dust bathe as they please. Horses need out of stalls and small pens so they have room to roll, preferably in dirt or a sandy area. The same goes for llamas, dogs, and cats.
Hamsters, gerbils, and chinchillas prefer to dust bathe in sand. They will dig and even play in it. Sand baths help to decrease natural oils and dirt that may accumulate in your hamster or gerbil’s coat and may also deter parasites. The best way to provide a sand bath is to fill a small dish with sand and place it in your pet’s enclosure.
Another dust bathing option for hamsters, gerbils, and chinchillas is Goldbath Dust for Chinchillas which will help them keep their coat shiny and clean. Depending on your pet’s interest in dust bathing, you can offer a sand bath several times a week.