It can be alarming to see your dog drinking a lot of water, as it can be indicative of serious health issues, but it’s usually not something to worry about too much.
Usually, there are some simple reasons behind why your dog is drinking a lot of water, and with some changes to his diet or lifestyle, he should be back to normal in no time.
Here are some possible causes of your dog’s excessive water consumption and how you can deal with them accordingly.
Why Do Dogs Drink so Much Water?
Why is my dog drinking a lot of water, especially when it is well-hydrated, to begin with? Dogs will drink more water to make up for any water that isn’t being properly absorbed by their body.
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your dog and keep track of its fluid intake. A dog drinking a lot of water might be prone to dehydration if no one is keeping an eye on it.
Why Do Some Dogs Drink More Than Others?
In general, dogs need about 1⁄2 cup of water per pound of body weight. Large dog breeds tend to drink more because they have higher energy needs. (*)
Smaller dogs may not drink as much water because their energy needs are lower, and they don’t metabolize nutrients as quickly as larger dogs do.
Differences in climate, exercise level, and overall activity also play a role—for example, do you walk your dog every day, or is he mostly stuck inside or lying on his bed all day?
Dog Drinking a Lot of Water – Is it normal?
Don’t start panicking right away. It’s normal for dogs to drink a lot of water, but if your dog has stopped drinking water altogether—or is drinking an unusual amount of water—it could be a sign of illness.
Look out for symptoms like difficulty urinating, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your pet experiences any strange behavior after a big water intake, get him in for a vet visit as soon as possible.
Possible Reasons: Why is Your Dog Drinking a Lot of Water
There are several possible reasons for a dog drinking a lot of water. A dog may be sick, or he may simply have a low-grade infection that’s causing him to drink more water than usual.
It’s also important not to let your dog over-hydrate, which can lead to serious health issues. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why your dog is drinking a lot of water.
Diet
If your dog is drinking a lot of water, you’ll want to determine whether it’s a result of being hungry or thirsty. If it’s thirst, try wetting his food and see if that encourages him to drink less water.
If he eats it without complaint and continues drinking excessive amounts of water, consider putting him on a diet and limiting how much you fill his bowl with food or water.
Illness
There are a few possible reasons your dog is drinking a lot of water, including illness. Read on for an overview of some health issues that could make your dog drink a lot of water and what you can do if you think your pet has these illnesses.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus is a high blood sugar disease. It is caused when your dog has insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. The extra amount of sugar in the blood is discharged by the kidneys into the urine.
For this reason, your dog will have to pee many times a day. Alongside excessive urination comes excessive thirst. If your dog is suffering from Diabetes Mellitus, you will have to modify its meals and administer insulin to them. (*)
Kidney Disease
If you notice that your dog is drinking a lot of water, it may be because it is not able to concentrate the urine. Dogs with kidney problems tend to pee more, and to avoid dehydration, they have to drink more water.
Kidney Diseases can be treated by altering your dog’s meals and addressing underlying causes of kidney failure, such as kidney stones or kidney infection.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome is a disease caused due to an adrenal tumor or tumor presence in the pituitary gland. The disease originates when the adrenal gland excretes an excessive amount of cortisol. A huge amount of cortisol in the body increases thirst, which accordingly increases urination.
This condition is pretty serious, and depending on the location of the tumor, dogs with Cushing’s Syndrome may require medication treatment or even surgery.
Pyometra
Pyometra means infected uterus. The disease affects only female dogs who have not been sprayed. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening condition that requires immediate surgery. After that, your dog will be on excessive antibiotics therapy and rehydration with intravenous fluid therapy.
Other Causes of Excessive Thirst
Other than the ones we have mentioned, there are several more answers to the question, “why is my dog drinking a lot of water.”
Here is the list of some possible causes:
- Liver disease
- Dehydration
- Cancer
- Fever
- Infection
- Medications, steroids, and diuretics
- Diabetes insipidus
- Heatstroke or hyperthermia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Parasites
- Hypercalcemia
Every one of these diseases requires different treatment, depending on the cause.
Vitamins & Medications
Dogs aren’t picky eaters, and they will eat just about anything you put in front of them (and everything in your trash cans).
If you’re feeding your dog vitamins or giving him medications that make him thirsty, he may drink more water than usual. This is especially true if your dog is taking medicine that has some side effects that lead to frequent urination.
Dog Drinking a Lot of Water? The First Thing You Should Do
If you are asking yourself, “is my dog drinking a lot of water” you may want to check his teeth for infection. Also, get him to an animal clinic for tests and diagnosis if you notice excessive thirst or urination.
When you notice that your dog is drinking a lot of water, make an appointment with your veterinarian. It may be a good idea to bring a urine sample with you. Also, be prepared to answer the vet’s questions, such as what type of food your dog eats and if there have been any changes in the appetite or habits. Write down the questions and answers and give them to your vet, so he doesn’t forget anything.
After the vet has conducted a physical exam, he will likely recommend laboratory tests. Make sure to follow through and do a complete blood count lab, blood serum chemistry, urine specific gravity, and a urinalysis. All of these tests will give your vet the information he needs to narrow down the causes of excessive thirst.
If your vet rules out any health problems, try adding some low-calorie foods like raw vegetables or yogurt to his diet; some dogs may just be eating too much of their regular kibble and may have food allergies or other digestive issues that cause them to eat more water than they need.
Dog Drinking a Lot of Water? Conclusion
If you are asking yourself if your dog is drinking a lot of water, don’t get alarmed right away. Most dogs drink ½ to one ounce of water per pound of their body weight in one day.
However, if your dog drinks a lot more than the usual amount, or he suddenly starts drinking a lot of water, then you might want to keep a closer eye.
If this is the case, you can try monitoring the dog’s water intake. You can develop your water routine: Refill the dog’s bowl at the same time every day, fill the bowl at the same level each time and pay attention to how much water you put each day and how much is left at the end of the day.
Ultimately, water is crucial to your dog’s health, and you shouldn’t keep it from him. If you are still concerned after all of this, give your vet a call and make sure that there aren’t any health problems involved.
FAQ
*photo by Wirestock – depositphotos
