Drinking More (Excessive Thirst)

Most of the time, dog owners don’t pay attention to how much water their dogs are drinking until there’s a change. Excessive thirst, or polydipsia, is the medical term for an increase in water intake, and is usually a sign of an underlying medical issue that should be addressed by your veterinarian. The signs may appear suddenly or more gradually, so measuring your dog’s daily water intake can be helpful information – however, never restrict access to water unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian – this can be very dangerous.

Sudden and severe changes in your dog’s water intake that are accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or loss of appetite should be seen on an emergency basis. There are numerous reasons that can cause a dog to drink more water (from diet, vomiting and diarrhea to bladder infections and chronic conditions), but most are treatable if addressed early on.