Mary Allen
Like humans, dogs also need fresh water every day to quench their thirst and regulate the body’s water balance. It is quite possible for the dog to drink more fluids than usual. Many dog owners worry that increased thirst and excessive drinking could be a sign of health problems. Does your dog drink a lot too? We will explain what causes this can have and when you should go to the vet.
Dog Drinks A Lot – But When Is It Too Much?
How much liquid dogs need daily depends, among other things, on the food and the size and weight of the dog. As a rule of thumb, dogs should normally drink 20-100ml of fluid per pound of body weight per day. For a large dog weighing 20 kg, 2 liters is quite normal – for a small dog weighing 1 kg, however, 100 ml is the upper limit.
How To Measure If Your Dog Is Drinking Too Much
For many dog owners, it is difficult to assess whether the dog is actually drinking too much water. If you have the impression that your four-legged friend is taking in an above-average amount of liquid, you can check this very easily.
- Take a measuring cup and add a little more water than your dog needs per day. Pour this amount into one or more water bowls.
- The next day, pour any remaining water back into the measuring cup. This way you can see exactly how many milliliters your pet has consumed.
- Keep a water diary for several days in which you enter the amount of water you drink every day. This will tell you if your dog is actually drinking too much or if that is just your perception.
- Make absolutely sure that your dog does not drink from other water sources, such as the garden pond or a river. This falsifies the measured values and you cannot get an accurate picture of the drinking behavior of your four-legged friend.
Dog Drinks Too Much – Causes
There are many reasons why dogs drink excessively. Some reasons are harmless, while others require medical attention.
The Heat Outside, Heating In The Apartment
If it is hot, the organism naturally needs more liquid. Dogs do sweat a little on their paws, but this amount is not enough to cool the entire body. That’s why your dog drinks more.
Increased Activity
If your dog moves a lot and really lets off steam on walks, it will of course drink more than usual to rebalance its water balance.
Stress
Stressful situations, such as moving house or driving a car, can also cause your dog to drink more than usual.
Vomiting And Diarrhea
When you vomit or have diarrhea, your body loses a lot of water. Dogs then drink copiously to compensate for the loss of liquid. Make sure that your four-legged friend drinks plenty of liquid in such a situation to prevent dehydration. Please always give small portions, but more often during the day.
Feed Change
The dog is already supplied with a certain amount of liquid through canned food or self-cooked rations. Have you recently switched to dry food? Then your dog makes up for the lack of water by drinking more often from the water bowl.
Taking Certain Medications
Certain medications can increase thirst in dogs. These include, but are not limited to cortisone, medication for dehydration (diuretics), medication to treat epilepsy and seizures (anticonvulsants), and an overdose of thyroid medication. If your dog takes medication regularly, speak to the vet as the dose may need to be adjusted.
Diabetes Mellitus (Blood Sugar Disease)
This metabolic disorder lacks insulin (amount or effectiveness) to lower blood sugar levels when needed. Symptoms include increased thirst, excessive hunger, and frequent urination.
Inflammation Of The Bladder Or Uterus
When there is inflammation in the body, thirst increases and your dog drinks a lot.
Kidney Disease
In the case of kidney disease, the function of that organ is restricted. Toxins cannot be properly processed and excreted, so the need for water in the organism increases extremely.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder in dogs that causes the adrenal cortex to release more cortisol. The disease manifests itself through weight gain, fur loss, and excessive drinking.
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a water retention disease and should not be confused with diabetes mellitus. In the case of diabetes insipidus, there is a deficiency of the hormone ADH or vasopressin in the animal’s body. This causes too much fluid to be excreted through the kidneys. To compensate for the loss of fluids, thirst increases and your dog drinks too much.
Additional Reasons
There are many other, more profound causes of excessive fluid intake that can only be determined or ruled out after extensive veterinary examination.
You should definitely go to the vet if your dog drinks excessively and:
- You can rule out heat, increased activity, stress, and food changes.
- Your dog shows other signs of illness.
- you are unsure of the possible cause.
As already mentioned, serious illnesses can be behind them, which must be treated medically. In the case of diabetes and kidney diseases, in particular, rapid action is required in order not to damage the organism.
Important: Even if you notice that your dog is drinking too much, you should under no circumstances stop it or deny it water, as this can harm your pet’s health. Let the dog take in the water he needs. Clarify the cause with the veterinarian, who arranges an appropriate therapy.