Hydration is critical to a dog’s health at every stage of life. If your senior dog is suddenly drinking more water than usual, and seems thirsty all the time, there might be a health issue that requires your veterinarian’s attention.
Of course, the amount of water your dog drinks can depend on things such as activity and exercise level, diet, and the weather. But if you’ve been noticing your dog drinking a whole bowl of water at once for more than a day at a time, and it seems unrelated to weather and exercise, it’s time for a visit to your vet. The solution is not to simply restrict access by removing your dog’s water bowl; this could simply worsen an underlying condition.
Here’s a guide to what’s normal—and what to do if your senior dog’s water consumption seems excessive.
How much water should my senior dog be drinking each day?
Typical water consumption looks different for dogs depending on age, breed, and size. And just like us, dogs may want to drink much more water on a hot summer day, or after vigorous exercise—that’s perfectly normal.
On a regular basis, most dogs typically consume about an ounce of water for every pound they weigh. So, for instance, a 60-pound golden retriever should be drinking at least 60 ounces of water per day. A 25-pound dachshund should drink approximately 25 ounces of water daily. A bit more or less water is fine, as there can be some variation—but the amount should be in that range to be considered “normal.”
Puppies drink more than senior dogs because their bodies are still growing, and they’re burning off much more energy during the day due to a high activity level.
What are the signs of excessive water intake in my senior dog?
One sign that your dog is drinking too much water is that you’re often seeing them empty their bowl all at once, or emptying it more quickly than usual, and you’re having to refill the bowl more frequently. Or you might just notice that your dog is taking extra trips to their water bowl—not just for a day, but over a period of time (and as a result, you’re taking them out for more potty breaks than normal).
Is your dog dehydrated?
It’s possible that your dog is drinking too much water because of dehydration. If your dog has been outside in hot weather, engaging in strenuous exercise (or both), or if they’ve had a bout of diarrhea, vomiting, or other illness, they may be dehydrated.
Here are some signs of dehydration to look out for:
- Reduced energy, lethargy
- Panting, dry mouth
- Less or no interest in eating
- Lower energy levels
- Nausea, vomiting
- Excessive salivation
One way to check for dehydration is to open your dog’s mouth gently and press lightly on the gums. If they don’t feel moist or slick, this could indicate dehydration. You can also perform a “skin tent” test—gently grab some skin on your dog’s neck and pull it up; if it doesn’t snap back and flatten out quickly, it may be an indicator of dehydration.
Make sure if your dog has been exposed to hot weather or has been exercising, they get a chance to cool down and drink lots of cool, clean water. Note that especially for older dogs, overheating and dehydration can be life-threatening.
If you are seeing any of the signs above, or if your dog is drinking water excessively for more than a day or so, make an appointment with the vet.
Causes of excessive water drinking
Several factors and conditions can make your dog feel excessive thirst, including:
- Diseases: Cushing’s or Addison’s disease, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and kidney disease (or kidney failure), among others. Read more about Cushing’s here.
- Medications: Sometimes it isn’t the disease itself, but side effects of a medication used to treat it, that can make dogs want to drink too much water. Your vet might be able to switch your dog to an alternate medication.
- Urinary tract infection: When a dog has a urinary tract infection, dehydration is common, but fortunately this condition can be treated by your vet with prescription antibiotics.
- Diet: What your dog eats can play a role in excessive thirst. For instance, dogs who eat dry food such as kibble won’t get much moisture in their daily diet and may seek out extra hydration in their water bowl. Fresh, lightly cooked food retains its natural moisture and will provide more to your dog.
- Behavioral issues: Boredom, anxiety, or stress can lead a dog to make more trips to the water bowl than usual. You might need to work with a trainer on behavioral modification, or your vet can recommend anti-anxiety medications or calming supplements that may help.
Whatever the cause of excessive drinking, never dismiss it or try to diagnose the issue yourself. See your vet as soon as possible to figure out the best next steps. The vet will do a comprehensive exam and may want to do blood work or urine tests to check hormone levels and more.
How can I help if my dog is drinking a lot of water?
Remember that it’s crucial to rely on your vet for diagnosis and management of any excessive water drinking in your dog. But there are also things you can do at home to keep an eye on water consumption, such as:
- Using a measuring cup to serve out the same amount of water each time, and see how much (if any) water is left at the end of the day. This information will be useful when you see the vet.
- Try serving a bit less water and see if your dog seems to want more, or continues to make more trips to the bowl.
- Until the issue is resolved (likely through the guidance of your vet), take your dog out for more frequent walks. They will need to urinate more frequently than usual because of the excess water.
One caveat here: simply letting your dog keep drinking beyond what is normal is not the solution, since drinking too much water can lead to vomiting or worse. Compulsive water drinking can impair kidney function, and it can lead to low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia), which can cause brain swelling. (Left untreated, it’s fatal.)
If your older dog is suddenly drinking lots of water for behavioral reasons, such as extreme stress, a behaviorist or trainer may help, or your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or recommend calming products.
General tips on your dog’s water consumption
Make sure that your dog’s bowl has fresh water every day, and that the bowl is clean and free of debris. Especially for senior dogs, it’s important that the water bowl is easy to access, and not easy to tip over.
You might want to put a small rug in front of the bowl if your older dog needs help to avoid slipping on a hardwood floor while drinking. And on a hot summer’s day, your senior dog will really appreciate an ice cube or two in the water bowl to feel refreshed.
Even if your dog’s excessive water drinking has been resolved with the help of your vet, it’s still a good idea to closely monitor intake and make sure the issue doesn’t recur.
