Do you find yourself having to refill your dog’s water bowl more often than usual? It could be that your dog is drinking excessively, which could be a sign of a health issue.
Dogs can end up drinking more water than usual for many different reasons. Just like humans reaching for their water bottle more often on hot summer days or after a salty snack, our dogs could also become thirsty more quickly depending on how hot they are or what food they eat.
However, there are certain underlying health problems that could also lead to extra trips to the water bowl. A visit to the vet is the best next step to take when you notice unexplained or puzzling changes in your dog’s drinking. If you are able to quantify how much your pet drinks each day by using a measuring jug each time you top up the bowl and keeping a tally, that can be very helpful information for your vet – although with how often they are urinating.
Here is what you need to know about causes of excessive drinking in dogs.
How much should dogs drink?
It depends on their age, breed size, activity levels and diet but normally a dog should drink about 20-70ml of water per kilo of body weight per day. If they go above this amount of water, it may be that your dog is drinking excessively although there can be a lot of variation between individuals. Of course, if it’s very hot weather your dog may be drinking more than usual, but if you can see no reason for extra thirst then it could be a health issue.
6 reasons why your dog is drinking a lot of water
Dogs can drink water excessively when they’re hot, after exercise, after eating salty foods or because they’re simply thirsty. However, there other causes that might explain why your dog is drinking so much water - such as medication side-effects or possible illnesses.
1. Your dog is dehydrated
Increased thirst, excessive panting and dry gums are just some of the possible warning signs of dehydration in your pet. Make sure you always keep water bowls topped up and within easy reach, so your pup has constant access to a drink. Older pets, in particular, may need a few bowls spread around the house, including next to their bed, so that they don’t have to wander too far to quench their thirst. In particular may need a few bowls spread around the house, including next to their bed, so that they don’t have to wander too far to quench their thirst.
If you suspect your dog is drinking a lot more because of dehydration, this can easily and quickly lead to heatstroke which is a medical emergency. Make sure you move your pet somewhere cool and offer them water, but do not try to force them to drink as this can be very stressful for you and your pet. If you suspect heatstroke, contact a vet immediately for advice.
2. Your dog is hot
We’ve all been there. When summer days are particularly hot or after an intense workout, our bodies will need more water than we usually drink. Dogs are no different and when they lose water due to excessive panting, after playing or during warm days, they will need to replace it by drinking more. However, if your dog is showing any signs of heatstroke rather than just being slightly hot, you should contact a vet straight away. These can include drooling, lethargy, restlessness, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties.
3. Your dog is bored
In fact, a lack of suitable mental and physical stimulation can lead many pets down the path of directing their energy into excessive behaviours, whether that’s too much barking, too much biting or too much drinking. If you think that’s what’s making your dog drink a lot more water than usual, here are a few brain games and puzzles for dogs that will help to keep your pet entertained.
4. Your dog has eaten certain saltier foods
Owners with pups that are always thirsty might want to pay attention to what their pets are eating too. If they keep getting scraps of human food from the dinner table or poor-quality treats, these could be too salty for them. Another important consideration when it comes to diet and its connection to dogs drinking a lot is that pets on dry food are likely to drink more water than those on a wet diet. Discuss your dog’s diet and excessive thirst with the vet for the best help and advice.
5. Your dog’s medication can be a cause
Medication such as steroids could also be the reason why your dog is drinking a lot of water. As always, the vet will be able to recommend the best next steps. This could be trying a different treatment or changes in their diet that help incorporate more wet food. So, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your vet when you notice any changes in their drinking habits.
6. Your dog has an illness
Drinking more water than usual could also be a sign of an underlying illness. Unfortunately, there are many conditions that can be associated with this symptom. Anything from dog diabetes to hormonal diseases such as Cushing’s disease and Addison’s disease could be behind your pet’s excessive thirst. Drinking lots of water is also on the list of symptoms for canine kidney insufficiency and liver disease so once again, your first step should be a visit to your vet.
What should I do if my dog is drinking too much?
Although it can be concerning if you notice a change in drinking habits in your dog, it is important to first find out the cause and then look at ways to treat that and so reduce excessive drinking.
First, you need to discover the reason why your dog is drinking more than usual. If you think it is because they are just an energetic dog, who tends to spend most of their day active and on high alert, then this is usually nothing to worry about.
However, excessive drinking can also be caused by underlying health conditions. If you are struggling to determine why your dog is drinking more than usual, then you should contact your vet.
What not to do if your dog is drinking excessively?
Drinking excessive amounts of water can prompt excessive urination too, which may give you a reason to act. However, do not restrict your dog’s water consumption by moving water away from them. This may result in them becoming dehydrated which can make their condition worse.
Although there are many possible reasons for your dog’s extra trips to their water bowl, some more serious than others, it is important you don’t dismiss excessive thirst as just a simple change in their habits. Get a feel for what quantity of water your dog usually consumes in a day and if they start to go over their normal limit, look out for any other symptoms as well. This information will help your vet decide to make the best plan for diagnosis and management.
How to keep an eye on my dog drinking a lot
If you want to keep an eye on the amount your dog is drinking to determine whether they are dehydrated or suffering from something else, it is easier to notice any changes if you develop a water-drinking routine so you can discover how much your dog is drinking a day.
Setting up a water drinking routine is simple:
- Pay attention to the amount you put in the bowl every time you fill it up by starting off with an empty bowl and using a measuring jug to fill it. Note down how much you’ve put in – and update it every time you do a top up.
- Make sure to check how much is left at the end of the day.
- Do this with every water bowl you have around the house.
- By doing this, you will know exactly how much your dog is drinking – and if that changes.
Water is very important to your dog’s overall health, never leave your dog without water. If you are concerned about your dog drinking a lot, then you should give your vet a call to make sure they aren’t suffering from something detrimental.
Next, discover more about dog panting, why our pups do it and what it means when extra panting is paired with other symptoms such as excessive thirst.
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