What Causes Excessive Drinking in Shih Tzus?

Any type of abnormal behavior in a pet can be disconcerting, but if you have noticed your Shih Tzu drinking more water than usual you may be particularly concerned. Changes in a pet's diet may signal health problems. Before you panic, though, you should know that there are plenty of harmless potential reasons for your pet's thirst. As with any change in behavior, though, you should notify your veterinarian and make an appointment to have your pup checked out to make sure that everything is okay.

  1. Enthusiasm

    • If your Shih Tzu is a puppy or adolescent, it might be drinking entire bowls of water out of sheer enthusiasm. It is normal for puppies of all breeds to gulp water. This is especially true of puppies that were raised drinking from water bottles instead of bowls and puppies that are enjoying free choice of water for the first time. Not every puppy will overindulge in water, but the ones who do usually eventually grow out of the habit once they realize that they are free to drink as much as they like.

    Overheating

    • Shih Tzus have long, thick coats that can make them miserably hot when the weather warms up. If you live somewhere warm or your area is in the midst of a heat wave, then your Shih Tzu may be drinking in an attempt to stay cool. You can help your dog by shaving it and keeping it in a cool, indoor place where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight. Overheating can lead to dehydration, which can be deadly in the most extreme cases.

    Hormonal Problems

    • As a breed, Shih Tzus are prone to both hyperthyroidism and Cushing's disease. These are hormonal problems that can be disastrous if left untreated. Excessive drinking and severe panting are common symptoms. If your dog is over 5 years of age and you notice it panting or suddenly gulping water for no reason, you should definitely head directly to your vet. The vet will have to run tests on your dog's hormones to determine whether it is afflicted by either of these problems. Once diagnosed, Cushing's and hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication but not cured.

    Kidney Problems

    • Shih Tzus are also prone to a genetic defect called renal dysplasia. Renal dysplasia causes your Shih Tzu's kidneys to stop developing shortly after birth. There are three stages to renal dysplasia. During the first few years, you won't see any symptoms. Then your dog will suddenly become very thirsty and lethargic. Eventually, possibly after several years, your dog will become severely debilitated, its kidneys will fail, and it will die. If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from renal dysplasia, take it to a vet immediately.