Tap or Dechlorinated water

[Malum Argenteum]

trace pesticide residue in water (nasty!) and i know fish are very sensitive to it (the EPA tracks it pretty carefully) so much that it can ruin their development. I imagine a snake would be similarly sensitive.

Aquatic animals are distinctly sensitive to chemical pollution, and especially pesticides. Reptiles are not, generally.

Compared toxicity of chemicals to reptiles and other vertebrates

If tap water is safe for human consumption, it is safe for snake consumption. I use RO water usually, simply because that's what I use for a lot of purposes in the reptile room. The 'no minerals' issue isn't much of a concern for snakes, since unlike humans snakes drink very little water (and also unlike most humans snakes have a pretty decent diet) and so don't depend on water for a mineral source.

[Bogertophis]

...Is it common practice to use Pedialyte in the drinking water? ...

I've never heard of anyone else doing that- And personally I've only added some form of electrolytes (& unflavored Pedialyte is a viable option) when snakes are dehydrated, ill or heat stressed (as with rescues taken in). IMO-That would be a good question to ask an experienced herp vet as to their recommendation.

[Animallover3541]

I've never heard of anyone else doing that- And personally I've only added some form of electrolytes (& unflavored Pedialyte is a viable option) when snakes are dehydrated, ill or heat stressed (as with rescues taken in). IMO-That would be a good question to ask an experienced herp vet as to their recommendation.

From what I have learned at my internship, while I don't necessarily think using pedialyte is harming your snake, I don't thing theres any benefit to it either. Unless it isn't eating and is getting dehydrated because it isn't ingesting moisture from its food, it really isn't doing much. Generally, you don't wasn't to add any medications or supplements except for things like regular vitamins and calcium, wound care ointments/supplies, and pedialyte when dehydration is obvious unless it is approved by a vet. It can be very easy to use OTC livestock/pet meds or supplements which result in worsening a condition, or simply act as a "bandaid" to a bigger problem. Again, I don't think the pedialyte is causing any issues at all. I'm more referring to the "My snake has a really bad and really noticeable URI that is worsening and causing quality of life issues, but I'm still going to approach it with only at home remedies without any veterinary interference." sort of situations.

This is just my two cents on this topic, and since at this point I am basically a veterinary assistant in training, my advice here shouldn't be placed above that given by your actual herp vet. So just take it with a grain of salt

[Malum Argenteum]

Generally, you don't wasn't to add any medications or supplements except for things like regular vitamins and calcium, wound care ointments/supplies, and pedialyte when dehydration is obvious unless it is approved by a vet.

Supplementing vitamins and calcium for (rodent eating) snakes is demonstrably a bad idea. Rodent prey already has ideal or borderline excessive (in the case of Vitamin A) levels of all nutrients, and there is no reason for routine addition of more (and plenty of reason against, including messing up the near perfect calcium/phosphorus balance of whole rodent prey).

Supplementation needs are (a) taxon specific (the reptile family/genus/even species in some cases) , (b) diet specific (e.g. rodents vs fish vs insects vs other reptiles), and product specific (i.e. whether a product is formulated for daily dosing -- such as Repashy Calcium Plus -- or occasional/PRN use -- such as Repashy Vitamin A).

idk if it is common practice but it is just something i have been doing - picked it up while researching snake medical stuff

I'd be interested in links to data/research/recommendations on this. Since snakes don't perspire, and don't lose electrolytes in liquid wastes like most mammals do, the reasoning behind routine addition of salt and sugar to snakes' diets sounds like it might be interesting.

[Animallover3541]

Ugh, can't believe I forget to mention this part again. Bad habits really don't like to go away, lol. I meant reptiles as a whole, obviously DO NOT give random supplements to your reptile if it isn't a general practice for the species or isn't being recommended by a vet. Sorry about that!

[Bogertophis]

From what I have learned at my internship, while I don't necessarily think using pedialyte is harming your snake, I don't thing theres any benefit to it either.....

I agree, it's likely to be just a waste of Pedialyte, though at some point it could be excessive & put some things out of balance. Since it's formulated for humans, not snakes, I'd be very cautious.

[Bogertophis]

...I'd be interested in links to data/research/recommendations on this. Since snakes don't perspire, and don't lose electrolytes in liquid wastes like most mammals do, the reasoning behind routine addition of salt and sugar to snakes' diets sounds like it might be interesting.

I tend to think that a little goes a long way- the rare times I've added any electrolytes, it was very little anyway. I'd never do so "routinely".

[Ziggy31984]

What about zero water filtration


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[Malum Argenteum]

'Zerowater' is a combination carbon and ion exchange filter -- basically an expensive Brita (or a cheap Berkey, to put a positive spin on it). A waste of money for reptiles, though probably useful for certain water sources to improve water palatability for human consumption.