Humans and animals often drink plenty of water when they feel thirst due to water deficiency, But why dog drink a lot of water? Usually, a dog drinks about one cup of water per 10 pounds or one ounce of water per pound of body weight and maybe a little more if dehydrated.
Many pet experts, dogs owners, and even some veterinarians are unaware that consuming a significant amount of water is dangerous for canines.
Unfortunately, drinking lots of water by your puppy can sometimes be fatal and lead your dog to intoxication, also known as hyperhydration, water toxemia and water poisoning.
Consuming plenty of water in dogs is categorized into Normal and Abnormal. In this article, we will let you know about Is drinking a lot of water safe for dogs? Why dog drinks a lot of Water? And what are the possible causes of Excessive thirst?
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Why do dogs drink a lot of water?
In Dogs, Excess thirst and drinking a lot of water can occur for many reasons. The most commons are dehydration, UTI, Diabetes, and other kidney diseases. Other reasons for the excessive thirst in canines are Diet, medications, Heatstroke, and Psychogenic Polydipsia. Please remember that drinking plenty of water for any reason is not safe for dogs.
Causes of Excessive Thirst in dogs
1. Normal Thirst (Dehydration)
Loss of water from the canine body on routine activities such as a challenging hunt trip, sports event, extremely hot weather, illness, infection, etc., leads to dehydration.
A dog may drink lots of water suddenly to be hydrated and to kill its thirst. However, if he consumes an excess amount throughout the day, it can signify any health issue.
Signs of Canine Dehydration
- Excessive panting
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Dry gums
- Dry tongue
- Rope like Saliva
Dehydration in pets is fatal. If your canine is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you observe dehydration, don’t provide plenty of water.
If the dehydration is mild and your pup has not started the vomiting yet, give your puppy about 1 teaspoon of water (For small dogs) and 1-2 tablespoons for larger dogs with a break of 10 to 15 minutes for one hour before the vet visit.
2. Pooch Diet:
If your puppy drinks a lot of water, you must focus on their diet. Kibble and dry dog food don’t have much amount of water.
So a dog eating dry and kibble dog food will drink more water, and your pooch will demand much water to drink. Besides this, food containing rich sodium also grows in the pet thirst.
Consuming an excessive amount of sodium is toxic for dogs. So avoid giving sodium-rich food to your puppy.
Side effects of excessive consumption of sodium in dogs
- Increase in Thirst
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Depression
3. Diabetes Mellitus
One of the leading causes of Excessive thirst in dogs is Diabetes mellitus. In Diabetes mellitus, a canine usually suffers from high blood sugar due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance.
Due to this, The kidney excretes a significant amount of sugar from the blood and water to the urine. As a result, Diabetes Mellitus suffers pet frequently urinate and feel thirsty quickly, and often consume plenty of water.
4. Kidney Problems
Kidney problems lead humans and pets to complicated health issues. Dogs who suffer from kidney illnesses are sometimes unable to concentrate the urine and usually pee more than the normal puppies, causing dehydration.
A pup with the kidney issues such as kidney infections, stones, or other matters may feel thirst more and often drink water a lot than usual.
5. Liver Disease
There are several other mild and severe effects of liver disease on dogs, but increased thirst is one of them. Besides other functions, the liver removes toxins from the body.
Puppies who suffer from liver disease will urinate frequently and hence will be dehydrated easily, which can cause an increase in water consumption. therefore increases the thirst of your faithful companion
6. Urinary Tract Infections
Canines, especially senior dogs, often go through UTI (Urinary Tract Infections). UTI in dogs is a bacterial infection caused by many reasons; This infection usually affects the pooch kidneys, urine bladder, and Urethra.
Due to this situation, the dog loses to handle control of their urination schedule and urination frequency, and thus a significant amount of fluid loses from their body. A dog suffering from a UTI may drink a lot of water.
7. Pyometra
Pyometra is also known as infected Uterus. Only Unspayed female dogs can suffer from the Pyometra. Female puppies who suffer from this health issue may fill to severe dehydration and often feel thirst more than usual and drinks more water than average.
Please remember that Pyometra in dogs is a fatal illness. Therefore, timely treatment is most important. Treatment options include intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, and surgery.
8. Certain Medications:
Certain medication leads to an increase in thirst in both humans and pets. The reason behind these drugs is they either increase the body temperature or urine production. Hence may compel your canine to consume lots of water at once.
The most common known medicines that can increase your pup’s water intake habit are steroids and diuretics, Anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone, Heart failure drugs, such as furosemide, and Seizure medications like phenobarbital.
9. Psychogenic Polydipsia:
Psychogenic Polydipsia means the increase in the water intake habit. This condition is referred to the consumption of water with any underlying health issue.
Psychogenic Polydipsia is rare in dogs and often develops due to boredom or attention.
Many pooch owners think this is done from boredom or attention, but it is an infrequent cause for excessive thirst.
What dog foods make dogs Thirsty?
Pet nutritionists believe that dry or kibble dogs food contains less water that could be about 5% to 10%, and can make your puppy thirsty. In addition, foods with rich sodium can also increase a dog’s thirst.
Giving dry food regularly and food rich in sodium is terrible for canines and can lead them to specific health issues.
Other Possible Causes of Excessive Thirst in Dogs are:
- Liver Disease
- Cancer
- Infections
- Fever
- Medications, including steroids and diuretics
- Heat stroke or Hyperthermia
- Dogs Parasites
- Diabetes
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What does it mean when an older dog starts drinking a lot of water?
Age matter a lot in excellent health conditions. The average water consumption amount in a healthy dog is 1 ounce/lb by body weight. Your Older dog can increase water intake for many reasons. The most common issues are dehydration, UTI, Diabetes, and other kidney diseases.
Other reasons for the excessive thirst in senior dogs are Diet, medications, Heatstroke, Psychogenic Polydipsia, and Pyometra.
Why dog drinks lots of water at night?
Dogs usually drink less water about 1 ounce/ lb by body weight. Therefore, for dogs, excess water intake is not safe. If your pup drinks a lot of water at night, the possible reason could be to kill his thirst due to the unavailability of water at day time or sleeping at day time. Other possible reasons could be underlying health issues such as UTI, kidney or liver disease, medication, diet, etc.
Please make sure to contact your vet if you observe your puppy drinking a lot of water at night.