Why is My Dog Drinking So Much Water in White Bear Lake, MN?

Most people don’t pay that much attention to their dog drinking throughout the day. However, if you have suddenly noticed that your dog seems to be returning to their water bowl over and over again. You might be wondering if you should be concerned. There are some key things to look for if you think that your dog is drinking an excessive amount of water, and you should be on the lookout for any changes in your dog’s drinking behavior no matter when they occur.

While it is important for your dog to be hydrated properly, it is not normal for your dog to be drinking over and over all day long when they have not been exerting. A few hours of drinking that seems to be more excessive than normal might just indicate that your dog is warm or that they have played hard. However, more than a day of excessive water consumption can indicate that there are things going on that might necessitate a trip to the veterinarian.

What Causes Dogs to Drink Too Much Water?

Dogs can be ill with a few kinds of health conditions that can lead to excessive thirst. These conditions might come on slowly over time, and one day you notice that your dog seems to be drinking far more than usual. Paying attention to your dog’s water consumption is an important tool to make sure that you are aware of their overall well-being

Diabetes

Dogs with diabetes mellitus have high blood sugar, which can lead to increased thirst. The sugar that is not processed correctly in the body can cause problems with the kidneys. This makes your dog try to drink more water to help handle the sugar imbalance that their body is trying to deal with. Urination will also be increased in dogs with diabetes, and they might also show reduced appetite or general lethargy. This condition can often be managed with medications and changes to diet and routine, but when not managed, your dog might seem to be thirsty all the time.

Kidney Problems

Dogs with kidney disease might not be able to concentrate their urine properly. This means that they will have the urge to urinate more often as well. Kidney problems can lead to constant thirst, and dogs that are experiencing kidney disease complications might also appear gaunt, hollow-eyed, and listless. Kidney disease is harder to manage, but the sooner you get your dog to the vet, the sooner you can get them onto some kind of management protocol to help them feel more normal again.

Cushing’s Syndrome

While not familiar to most pet owners, this condition is more common than you might think. When a dog has Cushing’s, it causes them to produce excessive amounts of cortisol which can lead to thirst and increased urination. Their body might also appear to be storing fat in strange locations, and their coat might be dull and dry. Some dogs also will get quite fat, while others will get very thin. This is usually caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, which can sometimes be removed. This condition might also be treated with medication in some cases.

Diarrhea or Vomiting

Dogs that have been sick for some reason might be thirsty for a few days even after their other symptoms have cleared up. Vomiting and diarrhea can be very dehydrating, so you should expect to see your pet consuming more water following their bout with something that has made them feel ill. Even changes in food can cause this kind of extreme reaction in some dogs, so make sure that you watch a dog carefully that has felt sick.

Pyometra

Female dogs with an infected uterus might drink much more than usual. This is a very life-threatening condition, and your dog does not have puppies to get sick with pyometra. This condition requires immediate surgery and antibiotics to be resolved. Dogs might show swelling and pain in the abdomen as well as discharge from the vagina area, and they might seem lethargic and disinterested in food or exercise. Make sure that you feel the pads of their feet and their nose to see if they feel hot, as dogs will often also have a fever when they have pyometra.

Other Conditions

Some other conditions that can lead to excessive drinking are cancer, liver disease, infections in the body, a fever, thyroid issues, and parasitic infections. Heart problems and medications that might have a diuretic effect on your pet. Make sure that you do not assume that your pet is not feeling that poorly just because the only symptom that you are seeing is excessive thirst. Dogs who are far thirstier than you would expect should be watched very carefully, and it never hurts to take your pet to the vet. Ruling out common reasons for excessive thirst can give you peace of mind, and an examination at the vet might also help you catch health conditions in their early stages.

Excessive Thirst is Often Related to Health Problems That Should be Addressed

While your dog might just be a little thirsty due to it being hot or because they exerted hard earlier in the day, you should always pay attention to a dog that has been drinking more than usual. If your dog seems to be thirsty all the time, this can be cause for concern. There are many health conditions that might cause your dog to drink to excess, and you should not wait to take your dog to the vet if they seem to be showing signs of thirst that is not resolved by drinking over and over.

Your vet will be able to advise you about the best ways to handle your dog’s condition, and they will be able to rule out conditions that could be life-threatening. Even if going to the vet that turned out to be nothing and your dog is healthy, this is far better than ignoring excessive thirst and finding out that your dog has a significant health condition that is very advanced.

Need to talk with a veterinarian about your dog drinking a lot of water? Call Birch Lake Animal Hospital at (651) 426-2246 or book an appointment online!