Dogs Drinking Lots of Water and Urination: Understanding Excessive Urination in Dogs

Dogs drinking lots of water and urination can be a normal occurrence, especially after exercise or on hot days. In fact, dogs can lose up to 90% of their body weight in water through evaporation.

However, excessive urination can be a sign of an underlying health issue. According to the article, a dog that drinks a lot of water but still urinates frequently may be experiencing kidney disease, which can cause the kidneys to produce more urine than usual.

Dogs with kidney disease may also exhibit other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it's essential to take them to the vet for a check-up.

Some breeds are more prone to excessive urination than others, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, which can be more susceptible to kidney disease due to their brachycephalic (flat-faced) skull structure.

Intriguing read: Stop Submissive Urination

Dogs drinking lots of water and urination is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the most common reasons is a medical condition, which can only be diagnosed by a vet.

Low-protein and/or high-sodium diets can also cause an increase in urination. This is because the body needs to flush out the excess salt and protein, leading to more frequent trips to the bathroom.

Increased activity can also cause dogs to drink more water, leading to increased urination. Exercise causes water loss, which makes dogs thirsty and leads to more drinking and peeing.

Heat can also cause dogs to drink more water, sometimes leading to increased urination. On hot days, dogs may drink more to stay hydrated, leading to more frequent peeing.

Age can also play a role in increased urination. Puppies and senior dogs will often urinate more frequently or larger amounts due to their age.

Some medical conditions that can cause increased urination include bladder infections, bladder or urethral stones or crystals in the urine, and prostate issues. These conditions can cause dogs to strain to urinate, pass small amounts of urine, or experience urinary incontinence.

Here are some possible causes of increased urination in dogs:

Diagnosing excessive urination in dogs requires a thorough examination by a veterinarian. They'll start by getting a history of your dog's symptoms, including when they started and any changes you've noticed.

A physical exam will also be performed to check for any abnormalities or pain. Your vet may also ask about your dog's diet, exercise habits, and any medical conditions they may have.

Lab tests, such as blood work and urinalysis, can help identify underlying medical conditions that may be causing excessive urination. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel are typically the first blood work performed.

A urinalysis can provide more information on kidney and bladder function. Your vet may also want to collect a urine sample to perform a urinalysis, which can confirm or rule out kidney dysfunction.

In some cases, a random serum osmolality test may be performed to diagnose psychogenic polydipsia. This test can help determine if your dog is over-hydrated and has low serum sodium concentration and low serum osmolality.

Your vet may also perform an abdominal ultrasound to check the full urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, prostate (in male dogs), and proximal urethra. This can help identify any abnormalities or blockages.

Here are some common tests your vet may order to investigate excessive urination:

Treatment for excessive urination depends on the underlying cause, but your vet may prescribe electrolytes for dehydration or restriction of water access is not recommended, as it can cause dehydration or fluid imbalance.

Dogs drinking lots of water can be a concerning issue for pet owners. Polydipsia in dogs is often a symptom of other medical conditions.

A general guideline is that dogs should drink two and a half pounds of water for every one pound of food they eat. This can vary depending on individual circumstances.

Increased drinking and urination are common symptoms of polydipsia in dogs. This can be accompanied by other symptoms like urination accidents in the house.

Weight loss is another possible sign of excessive water consumption. It's essential to establish a baseline for your dog's water intake when they're healthy.

Here are some key symptoms of polydipsia in dogs:

Dogs drinking lots of water is a common phenomenon, but excessive water consumption can be a sign of underlying medical issues, such as kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, and Cushing's disease.

Increased water intake can be seen in senior dogs, but it can also occur in dogs of all ages due to dehydration.

Your veterinarian will run lab tests to determine which condition is causing increased water consumption, including a blood chemistry panel, complete blood count, and urinalysis.

Kidney failure is often diagnosed with elevated kidney values (BUN and Creat) and low urine specific gravity.

Diabetes mellitus is typically diagnosed with elevated blood glucose and glucose in the urine.

Cushing's syndrome is often diagnosed with elevated liver value ALP, changes in white blood cell count, and elevated cholesterol.

Dehydration is often diagnosed with a positive skin turgor test, elevated liver protein (Albumin), and electrolyte changes.

A random serum osmolality test may be performed to diagnose psychogenic polydipsia, as dogs with this condition are typically overhydrated with low serum sodium concentration and low serum osmolality.

Readers also liked: How Often Should You Change Your Dog's Water?

In a case of psychogenic polydipsia, urine concentration will be re-established with water restriction alone, proving the kidneys are working fine.

Non-medical reasons, such as diet, increased activity, heat, age, and bad weather, can also influence how often your dog pees.

Here's a rough estimate of how much water a dog should drink daily, but keep in mind that it depends on their hydration level and underlying medical issues:

Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on individual factors.

If your dog is drinking lots of water and urinating frequently, it's essential to know when to seek veterinary care. You can probably wait to see your vet unless there are other symptoms.

If you notice vomiting, blood in the urine, straining to urinate with no urine produced or with small puddles, lethargy, known toxin ingestion, not eating for over 24 hours, or pus from the vulva, seek veterinary care immediately.

Here are some specific signs that require urgent attention:

Before your vet visit, it's a good idea to write down any questions you have so you don't forget to ask. This will help you stay organized and make the most of your time with the vet.

When preparing for the visit, consider bringing notes about your dog's drinking and urinary behaviors. This information can be helpful in identifying potential issues.

You should also contact the vet's office ahead of time to see if they would like you to bring in a urine sample. This can help the vet get a better understanding of your dog's condition.

During the visit, the vet will perform a head-to-paw examination and run any necessary diagnostics. Based on the exam, history, and testing, the vet will work with you to determine a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

In some cases, a diagnosis may not be immediately clear, and further testing may be needed. Don't worry, the vet will keep you informed and work with you to find the best solution for your dog.

Here are some common issues that may cause increased water consumption in senior dogs:

If your dog is urinating more frequently than usual, it's essential to know when to seek veterinary care.

Frequent urination or large amounts of urination are not usually emergencies, so you can probably wait to see your veterinarian unless there are also other symptoms.

Some symptoms that require immediate attention include vomiting, blood in the urine, straining to urinate with no urine produced or with small dime-sized puddles, lethargy, known toxin ingestion, not eating for over 24 hours, and pus from the vulva.

If you notice any of these symptoms, seek veterinary care right away.

Here are some signs that may indicate a more serious issue: SymptomConcernVomitingIndicates possible kidney or bladder issuesBlood in the urineMay be a sign of infection or kidney diseaseStraining to urinateCould be a sign of a blockage or infectionLethargyMay be a sign of dehydration or infectionKnown toxin ingestionRequires immediate veterinary attentionNot eating for over 24 hoursMay be a sign of a more serious issuePus from the vulvaIndicates possible infection

See what others are reading: Dogs Not Eating but Drinking Water