Why is my Dog Drinking More Water?
My dog is drinking a huge amount of water. He has
a 2.75 gallon water dish and we fill it every day.
He’s eating less as well. Could he have a
kidney problem?
Sarah
MO
You will always get a vet’s attention by telling him that your pet is drinking more water than he used to. Drinking excessive amounts of water is a symptom of a number of diseases and syndromes. Common causes of increased thirst include kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic conditions, bladder problems, glandular problems, and certain types of cancer.
Decreased appetite in combination with excessive thirst is a troubling combination of symptoms.
I strongly recommend that you have a veterinarian assess your pet. A panel of blood and urine tests will almost certainly give you insight into the problem. The sooner you do this, the more likely it is that you will be able to treat the condition.
For more information on changes in water consumption in pets, please visit my website.
Photo: Fortunately, Jackie doesn’t look like she’s drinking all of that water.
You have questions. 
In older females, drinking a lot of water can be a symptom of the fever that goes with pyometra (uterine infection). The cure for this is an
emergency spay to remove the infected organ.
That is very good information. Our chihuahuas started to drink more water recently. The vet we work with siad that it was probably because the house is either too hot or dry. If they start drinking a lot of water and lose their appetite, we will know something is up.
Dear Dr.
Can you direct me toward some resources for my dog who was just diagnosed with cancer? Not really information, as I’m fairly good at research for that.
Thing is, at the moment, and this is hard to admit, I’m broke. My poor dog should not be put down or given up on, simply because my wife and I are BARELY keeping a roof over our head.
Being unemployed for over a year, working anything offered, has kept food in our fridge and the house still here, but leaves nothing for my dog.
He has time, as per our vet, but, we simply cannot afford anything at the moment.
During these tough financial times, the only real stability our kids have had is our dog, so this has been especially hard on them.
Are their any places to turn for pet owners who have sick pets, and lack funds?
I’d barrow or take a loan out to help our dog, but to be honest, after a year with no work, that’s not an option any longer.
Can you or someone here please help? My dog’s life truly depends on it.
We are in Florida, if that helps at all, to find a local resource, or at least in our state.
I’ve been online for over a week looking and cannot find anything.
Lot’s of good free info, and we can change his diet while keeping within our grocery budget, but getting another biopsy (vet said we need another one to I.D. what type of cancer, since we could not afford treatment, he threw away the original sample and did not check it)
nor can we afford the chemo or radiation therapy.
PLEASE HELP! we are truly having a major family crisis over this.
Being near losing our home, and now our dog, we are just beside ourselves and frustrated.
Thanks in advance for any help, guidance, direction you can give.
our dogs cancer by the way, started as a lump near his eye, he had 4 teeth removed, and now, his nasal cavity is partially blocked, causing him to breath heavy and weeze. Aside from that, he’s happy, still eating, and still runs around the yard and plays with the kids. He is an 8 year old half german shepherd, half black lab.
PLEASE HELP!
I found this article because he’s on prednisone, and seems to be drinking more water the last two days since being on it.
Hi Jim,
I am so sorry that you have received this dx. I know first hand how scary it can be, because I just lost my beloved Tensing to a 23 month bout of Lymphoma! Please check out the link below and it has a wealth of info that you need to help you through this scary time!
http://www.helpyourdogfightcancer.com/
Please don’t forget Awesome dog toys and more helps this cause and the bullet fund!