Why Dogs Start To Drink More Water Than Usual

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

It’s probably not surprising that the amount your dog needs to drink each day varies. Like a human’s, a dog’s water needs change depending on the amount of exercise they’re getting and the heat of the day. But there are also some health issues that can cause increased thirst—which is why it’s important to keep an eye on the level of your dog’s water bowl.

As a general guideline, your dog should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. If your pup wants significantly more water than that, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at their health.

With the help of expert vets, we review common causes of excessive thirst in dogs, how to tell if your dog is really drinking more water than usual, and what to do if they are.

How Much Water Is Too Much?

According to Dr. Lauren Atkinson, the lead veterinarian at CityVet Addison in Dallas, Texas, a dog’s normal daily water intake ranges from 10 to 30 milliliters per pound of body weight. Where your dog lands in that range depends on factors like their age, weight, diet, activity level, and health status.

Because normal water consumption varies for every dog, it’s hard to put a number on what counts as “excessive thirst,” or polydipsia. The best course of action is to be on the lookout for behavior that’s not normal to your dog.

Nell Ostermeier, a veterinarian and advisor at Figo Pet Insurance, recommends watching for more frequent visits to the water bowl, more frequent urination, and having to fill the water bowl more often than you usually do. “If there’s an increase or decrease in your dog’s water intake or thirst for more than 24 hours, you should contact your veterinarian,” she says.

To monitor, try emptying your dog’s bowl in the morning and refilling it to a marked level, then measuring the difference at the end of the day.

Causes of Increased Thirst in Dogs

As Dr. Atkinson points out, a dog’s excessive thirst could be a normal response to temporary circumstances. But since an underlying health concern is a possibility, it’s important to make identifying the cause a priority. Here’s what to consider:

• Diet. The moisture content of a dog’s diet may influence their water intake. A dog who eats a low-moisture diet (dry dog food or kibble) may need to drink more water than a dog on a wet food diet to meet their hydration needs. A recent switch in dog food could account for the change.
• Age. Puppies may require more water per unit of body weight than adult dogs because their kidneys still have a limited ability to concentrate urine.
• Weather. Dogs living in warmer climates may drink more water than those in more temperate areas. Periods of hot and humid weather can also make a dog thirstier than normal.
• Increased exercise. Working dogs, sporting breeds, and dogs that engage in strenuous exercise may drink more water than sedentary dogs.
• Medication. Some medications may cause excessive thirst and increased urination in dogs. Examples include diuretics, corticosteroids, and anti-seizure medications.
• Dehydration. Dogs suffering from dehydration due to heat, strenuous exercise, or illness may exhibit increased thirst. Additional signs of dehydration may include low energy, dry gums, excessive panting, and loss of skin elasticity. Dehydration is cause for a vet visit ASAP.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. During bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, dogs may become dehydrated and drink more water as a result. If your dog continues to vomit or experience diarrhea for more than 24 hours, it’s important to contact your vet.
• Fever. Also known as hyperthermia, fever elevates your dog’s body temperature, which can lead to increased thirst.

Health conditions

If you can’t identify an obvious cause for your dog’s thirst, Dr. Atkinson recommends reaching out to your vet. Some of the underlying health conditions that can increase water consumption include:

• Kidney disease. This chronic condition causes a gradual decline in kidney function over time, reducing the ability to concentrate urine. Impaired kidney function may make a dog more prone to dehydration, leading to increased water intake as a result.
• Liver disease. The liver plays a key role in filtering waste products from the blood, so impaired function could impact bodily fluid levels. Dogs with liver disease may exhibit excessive urination and increased thirst.
• Urinary issues. Bladder stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) may lead to changes in urine output. These conditions could increase a dog’s risk for dehydration and trigger excessive thirst.
• Diabetes mellitus. This chronic metabolic condition impairs the body’s ability to produce or utilize insulin properly. Increased urination is a common symptom of diabetes, accompanied sometimes by excessive thirst.
• Cushing disease. Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing disease affects the pituitary gland. This disease typically causes excessive cortisol production, leading to frequent urination and increased thirst in dogs.
• Addison disease. Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison disease causes insufficient adrenocortical hormone production. While gastrointestinal symptoms are the most commonly reported, some dogs experience excessive thirst.

How To Tell If It’s a Medical Concern

For a healthy dog, excessive thirst may not be a cause for concern if it’s linked to a change in circumstances. Signs your dog’s increased thirst may be temporary include:

• They recently engaged in more vigorous or prolonged exercise than usual
• The temperature or humidity where you live has increased
• Their diet recently changed to a food lower in moisture
• They started taking a new medication with increased thirst as a known side effect
• Their access to fresh drinking water was limited or cut off for a while

It’s still important to keep an eye on your dog if they start drinking a lot of water suddenly, even if you suspect it’s temporary. Consult your veterinarian if your dog’s excessive thirst persists for more than 24 hours or if they exhibit the following symptoms:

• They drink large volumes of water all at once
• Their urine output appears to be low compared to their water intake
• They start having accidents inside despite being housetrained
• Their appetite has noticeably changed
• They throw up after drinking water
• Their gums and nose are dry, or their skin has lost elasticity
• They seem to tire more quickly than usual
• Their urine appears bloody or dark in color

Prepare for a Vet Visit

If you’re concerned that your dog is drinking too much water but their condition remains stable, it’s still a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. Dr. Atkinson advises that pet parents prepare to answer questions about their dog’s typical and current water intake.

“Your veterinary team will likely also ask you specific history questions about foods, treats, supplements, and medications your pet consumes, as well as access points for water at home and changes to urination or behavioral patterns,” she adds.

Depending on the findings of your dog’s physical exam and medical history, your vet may want to run some tests. In cases of polydipsia, common diagnostic tests include urinalysis, blood work, and sometimes abdominal X-rays or an ultrasound to evaluate the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands.

Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause but may range from dietary modifications to medication. For example, dogs exhibiting signs of kidney disease may benefit from a low-phosphorus diet, while dogs with diabetes may require insulin therapy. Dogs suffering from dehydration may require intravenous fluid therapy along with a targeted treatment plan.