Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?

Have you suddenly found yourself filling your dog’s water bowl more often? Or perhaps they are waiting at the tap, drinking for longer than usual, or waking you during the night because they need to go outside.

Dogs naturally drink more when it is hot, after exercise or when eating more dry food. But a noticeable or persistent increase in thirst can also be one of the first signs of an underlying health problem.

Veterinarians call excessive drinking polydipsia, and it often occurs alongside increased urination, known as polyuria.

The important thing is not to panic, but not to ignore a genuine change either.

There isn't one perfect amount for every dog.

As a general guide, a healthy dog will commonly drink around 40-60 mL of water per kilogram of body weight each day, although this can vary depending on weather, activity, diet, age and other factors.

That means a 10 kg dog might typically drink around 400-600 mL in 24 hours.

Some dogs will naturally drink more. A hot Queensland day, a long walk, switching from wet food to dry biscuits, pregnancy, or nursing puppies can all increase their water requirements.

Rather than concentrating only on a number, one of the most useful questions is:

Is my dog drinking noticeably more than they normally do?

You know your dog's habits better than anyone, so a change in their usual routine is worth paying attention to.

Sometimes the explanation is relatively straightforward.

Your dog may be thirstier because they have:

• exercised more than usual

• spent time in hot weather

• changed to a drier diet

• lost fluid through vomiting or diarrhoea

• eaten something unusually salty

• started medication that increases thirst.

However, ongoing excessive thirst can also be associated with several medical conditions.

Kidney disease

Healthy kidneys help control the amount of water lost through urine. When kidney function is reduced, the kidneys may not concentrate urine effectively.

The dog urinates more and then needs to drink more water to replace the fluid they are losing.

Increased drinking and urination can sometimes appear before an owner notices that their dog otherwise seems unwell.

Diabetes

Dogs with diabetes mellitus have too much glucose in their bloodstream. Excess glucose passes into the urine and draws additional water with it.

As a result, dogs may urinate much more frequently and become increasingly thirsty. Changes in appetite and weight can occur as well.

Cushing's disease

Cushing's disease occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of the hormone cortisol.

One of its classic signs is increased drinking and urination. Dogs may also develop increased appetite, panting, thinning hair, skin changes or a more rounded abdomen.

Liver disease or infection

Certain liver conditions, infections, fever and other illnesses can also interfere with the body's normal fluid balance and lead to increased thirst.

In undesexed female dogs, excessive drinking may also occur with pyometra, a potentially serious infection of the uterus that requires urgent veterinary attention.

Medication

Some medications commonly make dogs drink and urinate more, particularly corticosteroids and some diuretics.

If you notice increased thirst after starting a new medication, talk to your veterinarian. Don't stop prescribed medication unless your vet advises you to.

Your dog's drinking habits can provide an important clue, particularly when combined with other changes.

Keep an eye out for:

• needing to urinate more frequently

• suddenly having accidents inside

• waking during the night to urinate

• changes in appetite

• unexplained weight loss or weight gain

• vomiting or diarrhoea

• reduced energy

• excessive panting

• changes to their coat or skin

• swollen or enlarged abdomen

• changes in the colour or smell of their urine.

If increased drinking is accompanied by other symptoms, it is a good idea to arrange a veterinary examination.

If you are not sure whether your dog really is drinking more, measuring their intake can be surprisingly helpful.

For one day:

1. Measure the amount of water you put into your dog's bowl.

2. Measure any additional water you add during the day.

3. At the end of 24 hours, measure what remains.

4. Record approximately how much your dog has consumed.

Make sure you account for other possible water sources and, if you have several pets sharing one bowl, remember that the result won't be completely accurate.

Bring the information with you when you visit your vet. It can be a very useful piece of the puzzle.

Do not restrict your dog's access to water because you think they are drinking too much.

If an underlying condition is causing your dog to lose excessive fluid through their urine, restricting water could lead to dehydration and potentially make them seriously unwell. Your dog should continue to have access to fresh water unless your veterinarian specifically advises otherwise.

There are many possible causes of excessive thirst, which is why determining the reason usually involves looking at the whole picture rather than one symptom.

Your vet may ask when the increased drinking started and about your dog's diet, medications, appetite, weight, urination and any other changes you have noticed.

Depending on what they find during the examination, they may recommend blood and urine tests to look for changes in organ function, blood sugar levels, urine concentration, infection, electrolytes and hormone balance. 

Monier Vet Clinic has in-house diagnostic facilities, allowing the team to investigate many common health concerns and determine what further testing or treatment may be needed.

Book an appointment if your dog is consistently drinking more than usual, particularly if the change has appeared without an obvious explanation or is accompanied by increased urination, appetite changes, weight changes or reduced energy.

Seek more urgent veterinary attention if excessive thirst occurs alongside vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, collapse, confusion, refusal to eat, heat stress, possible toxin exposure or difficulty passing urine.

Sometimes increased thirst has a perfectly innocent explanation. At other times, that extra trip to the water bowl can be one of the earliest clues that something is changing inside your dog's body.

If you have noticed your dog drinking or urinating more than normal, contact our team in Darra on (07) 3279 3999 or book an appointment to have them checked.