The dog drinks a lot of water: the reason, the norm

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

It is not uncommon for animals to experience thirst. This feeling doesn't just happen. The article will explain why the dog drinks a lot of water. The reason for this phenomenon, unfortunately, is not one. There are a huge number of them. To correctly diagnose, it is necessary to consider all the assumptions about the trouble that has arisen. Below is why dogs get this sensation and how to deal with it.

The most common causes of thirst in dogs

The constant thirst that occurs in dogs has the scientific name "polydipsia".

Don't immediately worry if the dog drinks a lot of water, the reason may be quite understandable:

• it's hot outside;
• females are lactating;
• dog endured excessive exercise.

The factors described above should not cause alarm among owners. This is quite an adequate reaction of the organism of animals. If the use of a large amount of liquid is not associated with lactation, exercise or heat, then there is a possibility that the dog is sick with something.

Normal quantitywater consumed by the dog

Since owners often begin to worry in vain that a dog drinks a lot of water (the reason for this may turn out to be elementary), it is important to calculate the acceptable amount of fluid for a particular animal per day before going to the vet.

Make it easy. And after correctly performed calculations, it will immediately become clear whether there is a reason for concern. Indeed, as already mentioned, the situation can be quite understandable, and not always a symptom indicates the development of some kind of disease.

Calculation scheme

So, if you find that the dog drinks a lot of water, the reason must be determined. So, let's try together to determine the daily fluid intake for the animal, which is the norm.

Researchers have found that one kilogram of animal weight should account for 100 milliliters of fluid. That is, for example, if a dog weighs eight kilograms, then the consumption of 800 milliliters of water per day will be a normal indicator for it. With a weight of 10 kilograms, there will be nothing wrong if the animal drinks one liter of water a day.

When calculating the daily water intake, owners often make a common mistake, not taking into account the moisture that animals consume along with broths, kefir, yogurt or liquid cereals. This should also be included in the daily rate. This calculation is correct.

For example, if an animalpredominantly eats dry food, it may seem that the pet consumes more liquid than its daily rate suggests. And the reason is that he does not get it in the composition of the food he consumes.

If, after the calculations, the owner is convinced that the problem is still there, and its cause is unnatural, then you should not postpone the visit to the veterinarian. Perhaps the animal really needs treatment. Only an experienced doctor can diagnose the disease.

Why does my pet drink and urinate a lot

If the amount of fluid consumed is significantly more than the daily allowance, this can be a serious cause for concern. You should go to the veterinarian if the dog drinks a lot of water and urinates. The reason for this may vary. And often a symptom indicates the development of a disease that requires urgent treatment. So, the named symptom can manifest itself:

• when changing food, for example, when the animal is transferred from dry feeding to natural;
• for food poisoning, especially in severe form;
• diabetes due to excessive consumption of sugary foods.

What to look for first of all

The owners should also remember about some of the nuances of the described manifestations. So, for example, if a dog drinks twice or even three times more liquid per day than it should, then there is nothing surprising in the fact that it often urinates, no.

Mostly hoststhe following rules should be followed:

• when changing nutrition, it is important to balance the intake of food so that the liquid consumed in any form does not exceed the daily allowance;
• but in case of poisoning, veterinarians strongly recommend giving animals plenty of fluids so that all toxins come out with it when the dog urinates;
• It is important to control the intake of sugary foods in animals, even if they do not have diabetes, because due to improper nutrition, dogs become thirsty, they drink a lot and urinate more.

Excessive water consumption: the main causes

When owners notice that a dog drinks a lot of water, the reason for this may be quite obvious, for example, just thirst due to the heat. You should not immediately think of something terrible and serious.

If you carefully observe the animal, you can find out why the dog drinks a lot of water. The reason may be minor, such as exercise or sugary foods. Sometimes the named symptom indicates the development of pathology or situations that only a veterinarian can determine. These include the following:

• a small amount of dietary protein, which is an important part of the daily diet of the animal;
• hormonal imbalance due to a serious illness or peculiarities of the functioning of the body;
• s alted food;
• taking drugs that enhance the excretion of fluid from the body;
• severe dehydration;
• development of purulent infection;
• metabolic disorder;
• pyometra (inflammation of the uterus in bitches);
• advanced diabetes.

What to do if your pet is constantly thirsty

Due to many of the above reasons, the pet may die. So, you should be very careful if the dog began to drink a lot of water. The reason can be both insignificant and obvious, and quite serious. To determine the true cause, it is important to exclude the animal's natural reaction to thirst. These include:

• extended outdoors in hot weather;
• excessive and regular exercise;
• taking medications;
• eating s alty and sweet foods;
• transition from natural to dry food.

Should I take my pet to the vet

If none of the reasons fits, you should see a doctor. The veterinarian examines the body and internal organs of the pet. Schedule tests as necessary. Only after a thorough study of the information, the doctor will diagnose the disease and give an answer why the dog drinks a lot of water. Then he prescribes treatment. If you follow all the recommendations, then recovery will come quickly.

Conclusion

Only following all the instructions of the veterinarian, you can quickly cope with the disease. You should not independently determine why the dog drinks a lot of water, because untimely treatment can significantly aggravate the condition of the animal. This symptom may signal such diseases that require urgenthelp of a specialist. Unfortunately, often because of the irresponsible attitude of the owners, pets die.