Often animals encounter thirst. This sensation does not occur just like that. The article will explain why the dog drinks a lot of water. The reason for this phenomenon, unfortunately, is not one. There are a huge number of them. To correctly diagnose, it is necessary to consider all the assumptions about the trouble. Below it will be written why dogs have such a feeling and how to deal with it.
The most common causes of dog thirst
The constant thirst that occurs in dogs is scientifically called polydipsia.
Do not immediately worry if the dog drinks a lot of water, the reason can be quite explainable:
- it is hot outside;
- in females lactation;
- the dog withstood excessive physical exertion.
The factors described above should not cause anxiety in the hosts. This is a completely adequate reaction of the animal organism. If the use of a large amount of liquid is not associated with lactation, stress or heat, then there is a chance that the dog is sick with something.
Normal amount of water consumed by the dog
Since often the owners begin to worry in vain that the dog drinks a lot of water (the reason may be elementary), before going to the veterinarian, it is important to calculate an acceptable amount of fluid for a particular animal per day.
It is easy to do. And after the correct calculations, it will immediately become clear whether there is cause for concern. After all, as already mentioned, the situation can be quite explainable, and not always a symptom indicates the development of a disease.
Calculation scheme
So, if you find that a dog drinks a lot of water, the reason must be determined. So, let's try together to determine the daily intake of fluid for the animal, which is the norm.
The researchers found that one kilogram of the animal’s weight should account for 100 milliliters of fluid. That is, for example, if a dog weighs eight kilograms, then the consumption of 800 milliliters of water per day for it will be a normal indicator. With a weight of 10 kilograms, there would be nothing wrong with an animal drinking one liter of water per day.
When calculating the daily rate of water, owners often make a common mistake, not taking into account the moisture that animals consume along with broths, kefir, yogurt or liquid cereals. This also needs to be included in the daily indicator. Such a calculation is correct.
For example, if an animal predominantly eats dry food, then it may seem that the pet consumes more fluid than its daily rate suggests. And the reason is that he does not receive it as part of the food consumed.
If, after counting, the owner is convinced that there is still a problem, and the reason is unnatural, then you should not postpone the visit to the veterinarian. Perhaps the animal really needs treatment. Only an experienced doctor can diagnose the disease.
Why the pet drinks and urinates a lot
If the amount of fluid consumed is significantly greater than the daily rate, this can be a serious cause for concern. You should go to the veterinarian if the dog drinks a lot of water and urinates. The reason for this may be different. And often the symptom indicates the development of a disease that requires urgent treatment. So, the named symptom may occur:
- when changing nutrition, for example, when an animal is transferred from dry feeding to natural;
- with food poisoning, especially with severe form;
- with diabetes due to the consumption of an excessive amount of sweet food.
What to look for first
The owners should be aware of some of the nuances of the described manifestations. So, for example, if a dog drinks twice or even three times as much fluid per day as it should, then there is nothing surprising in the fact that she often urinates, no.
Basically, owners should adhere to the following rules:
- when changing nutrition, it is important to balance food intake so that the fluid consumed in any form does not exceed the daily norm;
- but in case of poisoning, veterinarians strongly recommend giving animals a lot of fluid so that all toxins are released along with it when the dog urinates;
- it is important to control the intake of sweet food for animals, even if it does not have diabetes, because because of malnutrition dogs get thirsty, they drink a lot and urinate more.
Excessive water consumption: root causes
When the owners notice that the dog drinks a lot of water, the reason for this can be completely obvious, for example, simply thirst due to the heat. Do not immediately think up something terrible and serious.
If you carefully observe the animal, you can find out why the dog drinks a lot of water. The reason may not be serious, for example, due to physical activity or sugary foods. Sometimes a named symptom indicates the development of a pathology or situations that only a veterinarian can determine. These include the following:
- a small amount of protein consumed with food, which are an important component of the daily diet of the animal;
- hormonal imbalance due to a serious illness or the functioning of the body;
- salted food;
- taking drugs that enhance the excretion of fluid from the body;
- severe dehydration;
- the development of purulent infection;
- metabolic disorder;
- pyometra (uterine inflammation in bitches);
- advanced diabetes.
What to do if the pet is constantly thirsty
Due to many of the above reasons, the pet may die. So, you should be very careful if the dog began to drink a lot of water. The reason can be both inconsequential and obvious, and quite serious. To determine the true cause, it is important to exclude the animal's natural reaction to thirst. These include:
- prolonged stay outside in hot weather;
- excessive and regular physical activity;
- taking medications;
- the use of salty and sweet foods;
- switch from natural feed to dry.
Take your pet to the vet
If none of the reasons is appropriate, you should consult a doctor. The veterinarian examines the body and internal organs of the pet. As necessary, appoint a test. Only after a thorough study of the information does the doctor diagnose the disease and give an answer why the dog drinks a lot of water. Then prescribes treatment. If you follow all the recommendations, then recovery will come quickly.
Conclusion
Only following all the instructions of the veterinarian, you can quickly cope with the disease. It is not worthwhile to independently determine why the dog drinks a lot of water, because untimely treatment can significantly aggravate the condition of the animal. This symptom can signal such diseases that require the urgent help of a specialist. Unfortunately, often because of the irresponsible attitude of the owners, the pets die.