You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Unlike mammals insects "breath" through pores in their exoskeleton and although insects that have evolved to live in water manage to do so without problems, terrestrial insects can drown in water .

Insects and other pet invertebrates require a source of water which can be provided as :

• A shallow bowl of water 
• Water sprayed onto vegetation in the environment
• Water in a "pond" in the environment

Aquatic varieties of course can swim and survive even if totally submerged in water for a period, however terrestrial varieties (stick insects, beetles, praying mantids etc) may drown if they fall into deep water, because the surface tension of the water may be too great to allow them to escape. This can be prevented by covering the water bowl with a grill so that the insect cannot fall in.

If you find an insect that is limp and appears to be dead place it on some blotting paper. This will absorb water and in some cases a "miraculous" recovery may be made.

Updated October 2013