Signs & Symptoms Related to Extra Thirst in Dogs

Healthy dogs generally consume between 1/2 and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, according to the pet division of WebMD. Their bodies are composed of over 60 percent water. If your dog is drinking significantly more than the average for its weight, you should report this to a veterinarian. Increased thirst can be an early symptom of several serious conditions. When measuring your dog's water intake, however, remember that dogs are sloppy drinkers and splash a certain amount of water out of the bowl.

  1. Dehydration

    • A dog drinking excessively may simply be dehydrated due to hot weather or strenuous exercise. Restricted access to water for a period of time could also cause the pet to consume great quantities when water is re-introduced. Noticeable dehydration, though, is sometimes a sign of illness. To test for dehydration, grab the dog's skin at the scruff of the neck. Stretch it upward as far as it will go, and then release it. The skin of a well-hydrated dog quickly snaps back, but that of a dehydrated pet takes much longer to return to normal. Inspecting the gums is another way to test for dehydration. A healthy dog has wet and slippery gums, while dull and sticky gums signal dehydration.

    Food and Medication Reactions

    • If your dog is drinking more water than usual, check to see if its food or treats contain an overabundance of sodium. Some medications given for allergies, particularly prednisone, can cause increased thirst and urination as side effects. Other prescriptions for heart disease or seizure control may induce a similar reaction.

    Fever

    • Bacterial or viral infections can bring on fever in dogs. A dog becomes unusually thirsty with an elevated body temperature. Using a rectal thermometer results in the most accurate reading of your pet's temperature, but if that is not possible, feel the animal's ears and groin. Heat radiates from these areas when a dog has a fever.

    Symptom of a Serious Illness

    • An increase in thirst, as well as urination, is one of the first signs when a dog develops diabetes or Cushing's disease. In diabetes, the dog's pancreas becomes unable to produce the insulin required to absorb glucose into the cells of the body, reports the website VetInfo. Just as in humans, extra thirst is the way the body eliminates excess blood sugars. A dog with Cushing's disease has adrenal glands that produce too much cortisol. Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction in geriatric dogs include heightened thirst. Unless the animal exhibits disorientation, increased sleeping and loss of interest in normal activities, however, its thirst is probably due to another cause.