Increased Urination And Thirst In Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

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Why Is My Dog ​​So Thirsty And Urinates Frequently?Why is my dog urinating so often?Is your dog drinking way more water than usual and peeing a lot more, too? Maybe during your walks, it feels like you’re constantly stopping to let your pup relieve themselves?Don’t stress too much — this isn’t all that uncommon and it could be caused by a bunch of different things, most of which aren’t too serious. Some dogs just have a bigger ‘need’ than others, for instance.But if you’re pondering ‘why is my dog so thirsty?’ or you’re noticing they’re peeing way more than usual, it could be a sign that something’s off, and it might be worth looking into.Let’s dive into why your dog might be peeing so much, and take a look at any medical, behavioral, or dietary factors that could be behind it. We’ll also cover some treatment tips and what to do if you’re wondering why your dog is peeing a lot. And we’ll help you figure out when it’s time to reach out to your vet for advice.Youtube Play

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Symptoms of your dog drinking excessive water and urinatingIt may seem like a question with an obvious answer. What are the symptoms of a dog drinking excessive water and urinating? Well, that would be… your dog drinking water excessively and your dog peeing a lot.But, what’s excessively, and what’s peeing a lot? First of all, ask yourself, what’s ‘normal’? While each dog is different, these rough calculations can act as a helpful quick guide to work out whether your dog really is urinating too frequently.

• Normal water intake: (140 x number of kg dog weighs) x 0.75
• Normal urine output: 20 to 40 ml per kg dog weighs over a 24 hour period

Polyuria and polydipsia (PU/PD) are the fancy terms for excessive thirst and urination. They often go hand in hand and can be caused by a variety of underlying issues that may be making your dog pee more than usual.If you’re noticing a change in your pet’s behavior and your dog is urinating frequently, there could be a few reasons behind it. Keep an eye out for some of these red flags along with the frequent peeing, as they might mean it’s time to take a trip to the vet:

• Urinating frequently
• Urinating in large amounts
• Accidents
• Water bowl constantly empty
• New drinking habits (such as drinking from the toilet or puddle, in dogs that don’t normally do this)
• Drinking and urinating during unusual hours i.e. the middle of the night.

The earlier you can act on these symptoms the better, both for your furry friend’s wellness and your own peace of mind. Feeling lost in the pet insurance jungle? Let Wag! Compare help you find a way through, with hundreds of policies from the country’s best providers. Causes of increased urination and thirst in dogsThere are three main types of polyuria that can help figure out what might be going on with your dog:

• Physiological – This is when your dog’s increased thirst and urination are just a normal response to drinking more, and it could be a sign of a behavioral issue.
• Pharmacological – This happens if your dog’s drinking and urinating more because of things like too much salt in their diet or medications (like diuretics or corticosteroids) that make them pee more.
• Pathological – This is the trickiest one and could be due to a health problem, like kidney failure or even a hormone imbalance.

As is so often the case with your dog, the earlier you can address these kinds of symptoms the better.Common medical reasons why your dog is so thirsty and urinating so frequentlyUrinary system causesThere are a few things in your dog’s urinary system that could cause frequent urination, like kidney failure, a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), or a bladder infection. It could also be a sign of a urinary obstruction, which can be pretty serious.Endocrine system causes Some endocrine system issues can also lead to increased urination. These include conditions like hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease – where the body produces too much cortisol), diabetes mellitus, or diabetes insipidus. Liver diseaseLiver inflammation can cause frequent urination, along with other signs like weight loss, vomiting, or a general lack of energy. If you notice these symptoms, it might be worth getting your dog checked out.Electrolyte imbalanceElectrolyte imbalances, often caused by kidney problems or parathyroid gland issues, can lead to dehydration and make your dog feel tired and lethargic. Keep an eye out for these signs, as it could be affecting your dog’s health in other ways tooDehydrationWhen your dog is losing more water than they’re taking in, their body’s water levels drop below normal – this is dehydration. It can lead to excessive thirst and urination as their body tries to compensate.Cancerous tumors There are two main types of tumors: benign (not cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). While benign tumors might just need some treatment, malignant ones can spread and pose a serious health risk. Depending on how aggressive they are, they could require immediate attention, but some dogs can live many years with cancerous tumors, especially with early treatment.Bladder stonesWhat if your dog’s peeing a lot but only producing a few drops at a time? Bladder stones could be the problem. You might also notice blood in their urine. This condition can be pretty painful for your pup, so get it checked out if you see these signs.Psychological and behavioral causesNot every case of a dog drinking excessive water and urinating is due to a medical issue. Sometimes, the reason your dog is peeing a lot could be linked to psychological or behavioral problems. In these cases, excessive thirst (polydipsia) is usually the main cause, which then leads to more urination (polyuria) because your dog is drinking more than usual. Looking to improve your pup’s diet? Try some of the best high-protein dog foods on the market. Your dog will love you even more for it!Diagnosing your dog’s excessive thirst and urinationSo, you’ve noticed that your dog seems to be overly thirsty and is peeing a lot. What do you do? The best course of action is to take it to the vet. They’ll most likely want to start by taking a good look over your pet and talking to you about the kinds of behavior you’ve been seeing. Lab testsComplete blood count (CBC): This test checks for anemia, which could be related to kidney failure or liver disease. If an infection is the cause of the issue, there will usually be an increase in leukocytes (white blood cells). In the case of Cushing’s disease, there may be an increase in specific types of white blood cells, like lymphocytes or eosinophils, which is known as a stress leukogram.Blood serum tests: These tests can help confirm a variety of problems. For example, dogs with diabetes may show high fasting blood sugar levels. Blood serum tests can also detect kidney failure by measuring an increase in BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and liver disease can be identified with elevated levels of ALT, ALP, Bilirubin, or AST.Urinalysis: This test helps identify blood, protein, or glucose in your dog’s urine. If leukocytes are found in the urine, it could suggest a kidney or bladder infection. On the other hand, red blood cells in the urine might point to a more serious infection, or even diabetes.Advanced diagnosticsOnce the vet has an idea of why your dog is thirsty all the time or constantly has to pee, they may suggest further testing. These are some of the likely tests.

• Hormone tests: Tests like the ACTH stimulation or low-dose dexamethasone suppression test can help confirm conditions like Cushing’s disease.
• Ultrasound or x rays: These imaging tests may be needed to check for cancerous tumors or look for abnormalities in the kidneys or liver (like cystic kidneys). 

If kidney disease is ruled out, a water deprivation test can help determine whether your dog’s urine concentration is normal.By performing these tests and doing a thorough physical exam, your vet should be able to work out why your dog is so thirsty and urinating so much. From there, they’ll be able to recommend a treatment plan to help your pup feel better and get back on track We know your dog’s wellbeing means the world to you, but it doesn’t have to cost the earth. With the right Wag! Wellness Plan, you can get annual booster shots, access to a 24/7 vet chat, a yearly check-up and more. Treatment of increased urination and thirst in dogsYour dog’s treatment will depend on the vet’s diagnosis. If, for example, it’s an infection causing the problem, antibiotics should normally do the job. In some cases, adjusting your dog’s other medications may reduce the extent of the PUPD, while other conditions, such as tumors, may require an operation. Metabolic issues Conditions like diabetes will require daily insulin injections, along with changes to your dog’s diet and exercise routine to help regulate their blood sugar levels. Endocrine imbalanceEndocrine imbalances usually require long-term treatment to help balance hormone levels. Keep in mind that hormone replacements can come with side effects, so it’s important to discuss these with your vet. Endocrine disorders/tumors Endocrine disorders may be cancer-related. In this case, surgery, and/or chemotherapy may be necessary.  Kidney diseaseThis may be managed by diet changes, medication, or dialysis treatment, depending on what stage it is at.

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Recovery of Why Is My Dog ​​So Thirsty And Urinates Frequently?Increased Urination and Thirst Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionalschow shepard mixTen Years

112 found this helpful

112 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:My dog is about 10 or 11 years old. He is extremely overweight. Recently I've noticed him drinking excessively. I'm having to fill his water bowl several times a day. He also urinates quite a bit. He has never had accidents in the house but has peed 5 times in the house this week, mostly in the middle of the night. He doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain but he just doesn't seem himself lately.June 29, 2021Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM112 RecommendationsHello he could have diabetes or kidney issues. It would be best for him to see your vet. They will want to run bloodwork to figure out what is going on.June 29, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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HuskyTwo Months

36 found this helpful

36 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:My 9 week old puppy is having constant thirst he almost always finishes the water and he constantly keep urinating alot he is working on potty training but he will go outside then he will come in and pee like 2 to 3 more times almost rather quickly after going outside .Jan. 14, 2021Answered by Dr. Maureen M. DVM36 RecommendationsHi, He could be having a urinary tract infection. Please visit the vet for a conclusive diagnosis and treatment.Jan. 14, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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