If you have been a dog parent, you must be aware that they are messy drinkers and indulge a hit and miss drinking habit. Noticing that your dog drinks too much water can at times be quite scary. But, wait, you need not worry. If your dog is drinking too much water, it need not always be a cause for concern. There can be multiple reasons why your dog drinks so much water,
Many factors can affect the way your dog drinks water – right from the weather, activity level to the medical conditions. A few medical conditions that can induce an increased thirst can include a kidney or liver disease. Dehydration and polydipsia can be the other two reasons that can cause the dog to drink too much water.
Why is your Dog Drinkinng So Much Water?
There are multiple reasons that can make you dog increase its water intake. Some of them may be weather or activity related. In such cases, you may not need to worry about anything. However, thirst caused by illness can be a severe cause for concern.
Let us explore a few prime causes of increased water intake and excessive thirst in dogs.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration in dogs is caused due to the same reasons as in the case of humans. Too hot climate, high activity level, vomiting and diarrhea are a few common causes which can result in dehydration issues. Even the dogs that are pregnant or sick may also get dehydrated easily.
Some of the other signs of dehydration apart from drinking more water than usual can include
- Lack of energy
- Dry mouth
- Eyes that appear sunken
- Thick saliva
If you find your dog is severely dehydrated, it is best to take him to the vet. Dehydration can turn fatal really quicker. If you have a dog that is not dehydrated too much, you can feed him little amount of water every 10 minutes for a few hours.
Do not let the dog have access to too much water as excessive drinking when dehydrated can further result in vomiting. This can further complicate the matter. Even when your dog is drinking more water can be a sign of dehydration, you should avoid it drinking more.
2. Diet
A dry dog food can be yet another cause for increased thirst in dogs. The diet rich in sodium and a few prescription diets suggested for special breeds can also make the dog drinking lots of water. Too salty food is known cause excessive thirst. You may notice your dog drink a lot of water when it is given a lot sodium rich food.
Do note that food rich in sodium can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, and vomiyying – along with depression symptoms.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
Another reason that can be witnessed in the form of an excessive thirst in dogs can be the presence of urinary tract infection. In addition to being very painful, UTI can also be quite fatal if left untreated for long.
Some other signs of UTI apart from excessive drinking and urination can include
- Small amount of urination, but frequently
- Difficulty to pee
- Blood in the urine
- Foul smell in the urine
If you suspect the possibility of UTI in your dog, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately.
4. Diabetes
Another reason that increases dog’s water intake considerably is the possibility of Diabetes. It can happen either duee to insulin resistance or insulin deficiency. The excessive urination caused by diabetes can translate into an excessive thirs in dogs.
Take your dog to the vet to rule out the possibility of diabetes. In most of the cases, the diabetes can be controlled by making changes in the diet of your dog and by supplementing insulin.
5. Kidney Disease
Kidney issues can be yet another possible cause you dog may be drinking lot of water. Problems with kidney can make the dog urinate more, and to make up for the loss, they have drink more water. You may need to work with your vet to understand the causes of the kidney issues if any and address it effectively.
Most of the times, the issues in kidney can be resolved by making necessary changes in the diet. You can analyse the underlying causes of the kidney issues. Most of the times, kidney diseases can be due to kidney stones and other infections. If diagnosed in the beginning, they should easily be treated.
6. Cushing’s Syndrome
Also called hyperadrenocorticism, the Crushing’s disease makes the dog drink more water and urinate more frequently. You may find the issue commonly in senior dogs, but it is not uncommon to witnesses the disease in younger dogs as well. Dogs with the symptoms need to drink more water, due to the tumor in the pituitary gland
In most of the situations, the disease can be treated either through the medication or surgery.
How Much Water Should a Dog Drink Daily?
Under ideal conditions, a dog should drink at least 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight. That should mean a 10 pound dog should drink 10 ounces of water. However, the actual consumption of water by a dog may vary based on several factors that include breed size, age, activity level, the climate and the overall health of your dog.
You would find that puppies, dogs living in the warm climates, dogs that are much active and the nursing mothers may be found to be drinking more water than that level. You would also find that the dogs that eat canned food tend to drink less water.
In any case. you should never deprive your dog of water. This includes providing a source of water even overnight. Lack of water or water depriation can result in dehydration. This an further result in complications such as electrolyte imbalances and kidney malfunction.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Drinking Water Excessively?
The best way to measure the water intake of your dog is to keep water bowl filled after dualy measuring the water (using a measuring jar) and noting down the time. Measure the water left in the bowl after a day or any predetermined time. This will give you an idea of how much water does your dog drink.
If you notice that your dog is consuming too much of water and is forced to pee quite often, it is advisable to seek an appointment with the vet immediately.
When Should you Consult a Vet for Excessive Thirst in Dogs?
The key parameters and factors that dog owners should focus on when you notice your dog drinking more water than usual can include
- Excessive thirst persists for moe than a day.
- If it is not due to a warmer weather.
- If you notice a severe change in the frequency of urination
- If it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue.
Your veterinarian would undertake a few tests to determine and rule out any of the health complications and start the procedure for treatment. Some of the tests would include full bloodwork, urinalysis, urine culture and sensitivity, x-rays, and abdominal ultrasound. They should give an idea into why your dog wants to drink excessively.
The Concluding Thoughts
There can be several reasons that you dog might be drinking a lot of water. It is only when you notice a sudden change in their drinking habits that you can consult a vet. It is always important to monitor your dog if you notice any changes in drinking behaviour and consult your vet instantly. You can keep a track of how much water your dog is drinking and that should help you ascertain whether it has any issues and just having a great time!
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