Dogs

Why is my dog drinking so much water?

dog drinking a lot of water

Alongside making sure that our dog is eating appropriately, we need to be aware of its water intake. It is essential always to reach clean and fresh water and ensure that water is adequate.

Water is the most important nutrient needed for the survival of living things, comprising 70% of the bodyweight water. For our pets, we’ll find if they’re taking in more water than they need to fulfil their duties. Why is your dog drinking lots of water? Find out more below:

The water’s functions for dogs:

Before you panic and think that you’re dealing with an illness-related symptom, It is essential to understand the roles of water to identify and identify the potential ailments that the imbalance could cause.

One of water’s many functions associated with water is:

  • Transport of the waste product, such as nutrients and others.
  • Interference in metabolic reactions within cells.
  • Make up the organs’ and tissues.
  • The cushioning and protection of organs.
  • Thermoregulation.

The source of body fluids originates from its consumption, food intake, and the metabolic processes that occur within the body. The water loss results from urine, faeces, the lungs (gasping) and the skin. For dogs, removing water from the skin is not as significant since they don’t sweat and have only sweat glands on their pads.

My dog drinks a lot of water. Is it normal?

There are a few things to consider about drinking water. This may not be a direct indicator of illness.

  • Young dogs drink more water than older dogs.
  • The heavier our dog is, the more it weighs, the more water it’ll drink.
  • The fetuses during lactation or pregnancy require more water than any other physiological condition.
  • The dogs who have more physical activity need to drink more fluids than more relaxed dogs.
  • The ingredients of the daily diet of food the dog eats will determine how much water they consume. The more dry matter that the food has, the more significant amount of sodium and fibre it will contain, meaning that the dog will drink more water.
  • The humidity and temperature that determine the climate we live in can affect the amount of water consumed. In humid conditions and hot temperatures, dogs drink more water and vice versa.
  • The properties of the water itself (temperature and smell, taste cleanliness), which our canines can use, can also affect.

Furthermore, it is crucial to be aware that certain medications like diuretics or corticosteroids may also result in a higher water intake.

What amount of water can dogs drink each day?

What amount of water does an animal require daily? If you aren’t suffering from any illness, it is a balance between the loss and gains of water. You’ll need 70ml of water daily per kilogram of body weight.

If the cause of the loss of water increases in the dog, it will be required to consume more water than usual, known as polydipsia. Polydipsia is often associated with polyuria (they are more prone to urination) and could or might not be related to other symptoms.

The amount of water consumed is controlled by the antidiuretic hormone, which is released by the pituitary gland. This hormone is then released to the kidneys, where they function by concentrating urine. This axis may malfunction in any of its locations because of diseases like :

  • Mellitus diabetes
  • Poisonings
  • Systemic infections, such as the pyometra
  • Hyperadrenocorticism
  • Kidney failure
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Liver disorder

What should we do if our dog pees and drinks lots of water?

If you suspect that your dog drinks a lot of water and vomits frequently or is upset, and has a small amount of urine or is transparent, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian of choice.

The vet should determine through various diagnostic tests the reason why our dog consumes more water and recommend the best treatment. Don’t attempt to treat your pet on your own or administer medication to your dog without the supervision of a vet.

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