Aims-In most infectious disease models, it is assumed that gavage needle infection is the most reliable means of pathogen delivery to the gastrointestinal tract. However, this methodology can cause esophageal tearing and induces stress in experimental animals, both of which have the potential to impact early infection and the subsequent immune response. Materials and Methods-C57BL/6 mice were orally infected with virulent SalmonellaTyphimurium SL1344 either by intragastric gavage preceded by sodium bicarbonate, or by contamination of drinking water. Results-We demonstrate that water contamination delivery of Salmonella is equivalent togavage inoculation in providing a consistent model of infection. Furthermore, exposure of mice to contaminated drinking water for as little as 4 hours allowed maximal mucosal and systemic infection, suggesting an abbreviated window exists for natural intestinal entry.Conclusions-Together, these data question the need for gavage delivery for infection with oral pathogens.