Polydipsia or excessive thirst in dogs is a common observation in fur parents and should never be ignored. There are many possible causes of polydipsia; some can be alarming and life-threatening when not addressed immediately. So if you want to know what’s causing your pet to drink excessively, we’ll tell you the answers as we keep going.
Why Dogs Drink Too Much Water
Dogs that suddenly got thirsty for a day or so are not something to be worried about. But if your dog starts draining their water bowls and hitting the toilets more often after a few more days, it’s time to bring them to the vet. According to many professionals, increased thirst in dogs can be caused by the following factors:
1. Hot weather
Nothing beats a morning in the summer season, especially when you take your dog out for a walk outside when the sun is up and the weather is hot. However, this weather can affect and increase a dog’s water needs, even doubling or tripling the amount. So the next time you see your dog drinking water more than normal during summer, don’t be too troubled, as this could be their mechanism for combating dehydration.
During hot summer days, never forget to take your dog to facilities that offer pet grooming services to ensure they are fresh, comfortable, and ready to do outdoor activities with you. If you’re looking for facilities to have your dog groomed, you may browse the web for “dog grooming near me” for specific results.
2. Kidney disease
Excessive drinking might indicate a kidney condition in senior pets. They pee more, and they drink more water to avoid dehydration. Kidney disease is often addressed by adjusting the dog’s diet and identifying underlying causes of kidney failure, like kidney stones or infections. One way to avoid kidney failure in dogs is by taking care of their dental health.
Regularly taking your dog to veterinary dentistry professionals for teeth cleaning and assessment can help ensure their dental and overall health is well looked after.
3. Diabetes mellitus
Dog diabetes can cause high blood sugar due to insulin deficiency or resistance. The kidneys excrete the excess blood sugar into the urine and drag water with it. Since your dog will urinate more, it’ll have increased thirst. Diabetes mellitus in dogs can be controlled by adjusting the dog’s diet and administering insulin.
Diabetes can occur in dogs and cats of any age, although it tends to affect the older ones. However, the good thing is that it’s preventable. Doing preventive measures while your pet is still young can make a difference in avoiding the mentioned condition. Regularly taking your young pet for regular checkups can help identify and treat the onset of any life-threatening diseases before they worsen.
You may click here to see the importance of vet care for puppies and kittens.
4. Vomiting
Vomiting causes dogs to lose fluids, which can dehydrate them. Due to this, they’ll drink more to try to rehydrate themselves. However, water should only be served to them in small amounts as they might vomit more if they fill their stomach with too much water.
5. Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is common in senior or middle-aged dogs and occurs less frequently in cats. Lethargy, recurring skin infections, enlarged abdomen, increased appetite and urination, and increased thirst are the common symptoms of Cushing’s disease. If your four-legged friend experiences polydipsia or symptoms associated with Cushing’s disease, the vet may perform ultrasound and blood tests to make an accurate diagnosis.