If you’ve noticed your dog emptying his water bowl more than usual, this could be cause for concern.
There are many reasons why your dog is very thirsty, and some of these reasons won’t require a trip to the vet. If your dog is healthy, he may be drinking more water because he’s bored, hot, or exercising more often.
However, if this problem persists for more than a few days, there could be a more serious underlying problem. Excessive thirst and increased urination in dogs is called polydipsia and can be caused by serious medical conditions.
Polydipsia Symptoms
Besides increased urination and thirst in dogs, some other symptoms of polydipsia include weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. So, if your dog exhibits some of these symptoms, it’s best to take him to the vet immediately.
There are various medical reasons why your dog is drinking more water than usual.
Causes of Polydipsia
Your vet can check your dog to see if he has any of the following common medical conditions that can cause polydipsia:
- Diabetes mellitus (“diabetes mellitus”)
- Renal (kidney) dysfunction
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Pyometra, an infection of the uterus (“uterus”) in unneutered animals
- Diarrhea
To reach a diagnosis, your dog may need to undergo a series of tests and examinations. Some of the most common tests include a urinalysis, blood serum chemistry, complete blood count, and urine specific gravity. These tests are done to narrow down the possible causes of your dog’s polydipsia.
Treatment and any additional tests will ultimately depend on your pet’s diagnosis. If there is a serious underlying cause, the sooner your dog is treated, the better.
If you suspect your dog has polydipsia, we strongly recommend that you get your fur baby checked out immediately.