Why Is My Dog Drinking a Lot of Water Lately?

If your dog is suddenly drinking lots of water, it's important to figure out why. It might be something as simple as stress, or something more serious.

We break down some potential causes of excessive thirst and ways to support your pup.

Key Takeaways

Excessive thirst is quite common among dogs.
Dogs may drink more water when they're hot, as it helps them regulate temperature.
They might also drink more because of their diet.
Some dogs excessively drink and urinate due to stress
CBD Treats are a good way to help dogs manage normal stress.
Persistent excessive thirst and urination can sometimes be a sign something is wrong, so if you're unsure, it's a good idea to check with your vet.

See More: Why Is My Dog Panting So Much?

Understanding Excessive Thirst in Dogs

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"Dogs might drink more because they are hot, dehydrated, or stressed. But excessive thirst can also sometimes be a sign something is wrong."

As you no doubt know, it's important to drink water. We dog parents are often reminded about helping our furry friends stay hydrated. It's crucial for your dog's health.

But can your dog's water intake ever be too much?

Actually, yes. Water might be important for overall health. But it's possible to have too much of a good thing.

In fact, excessive thirst is quite common among dogs.¹ It even has a specific name: polydipsia.

At times, your dog's excessive thirst might be completely normal. They might simply be experiencing increased thirst from something like hot weather or a salty snack.

However, your dog's increased thirst can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. In some cases, like stress, there are ways you can support your pup. Other cases might require a visit to the vet.

If your dog's water consumption has suddenly skyrocketed, it's important you try to get to the bottom of it. We'll break down the science behind hydration and cover some common signs and causes to help.

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Dog Hydration

Water makes up the majority of your dog's body weight.² Their water intake, then, is crucial for overall health and wellness.

Your dog needs water for all kinds of reasons. It helps support temperature regulation, Digestion, joints, circulation, and much more.³

That's why it's important to provide your dog with a source of fresh water, usually in a clean water bowl.

Dogs are generally thought to need to drink about one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day.⁴ (That's about 70 mL of water per kilogram of body weight.)

So, a 20-pound dog might typically drink about 2.5 cups of water every day.

Another way of calculating water needs is by comparing it to food intake. Many experts say dogs should drink about two or three times more water than food.⁵

So if that 20-pound dog eats one cup of food per day, they should drink two or three cups of water per day.

Certain dogs may need to drink more than others. Puppies and dogs that are nursing, for example, typically require more water relative to their body weight than adults.⁶

What Counts as Excessive Drinking

Excessive water drinking is essentially when your dog starts drinking more water than normal.

If a dog is drinking one ounce per pound per day normally, excessive drinking might mean 1.⁶ ounces per pound per day.⁷

The key thing is the change. Pet parents form unique bonds with their dogs, and are generally the ones responsible for providing them with water. You should hopefully be able to notice if your dog is drinking much more water than normal.

One thing to look for is urination. Dogs, like humans, eliminate waste by urinating, or peeing. Drinking excessively often leads to frequent urination.

Bonus: What to Feed a Cat With an Upset Stomach

Why Is My Dog Drinking Lots of Water?

The reason excessive thirst is so common in dogs is that it can be caused by many things.

In some cases, these are quite normal. You might experience them yourself.

Hot Weather

When you get hot, what happens? In many cases, our bodies produce sweat to try and help us cool down.

Dogs can't really sweat the same way we do. Instead, their main method for regulating their body temperature is panting.

When dogs pant, they circulate lots of air over moist tissues in their mouth and lungs. That moisture evaporates, helping to cool the body. It's a process called evaporative cooling.

All that evaporated moisture comes from the body. Your dog needs to replenish lost fluids to stay healthy.

Drinking water itself can also help cool the body.

Your dog might also get hot from intense exercise or play. All that activity can raise their body temperature.

Fortunately, most dogs will naturally drink when they're hot. You can help cool them down by providing them with cool water, taking them into a cool location, and even getting them wet.

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Diet

If your dog is drinking excessive amounts of water, they might have eaten something salty. Perhaps their diet as a whole is too salty.

Salt, like water, is vital for health and wellness. And, like water, it's possible for dogs to have too much of it.

When dogs eat too much salt, it pulls water out of their body tissues. That electrolyte imbalance can make the dog dehydrated. They may start to drink much more than normal to try and replace lost fluids.⁸

This could happen due to high-sodium treats. It might also happen if you give your dog human food, especially processed food or food high in salt.

You might think that dry food would be salty. Dog food does contain salt, but usually in carefully calculated amounts.⁹

However, certain foods are generally more hydrating. Wet food, like many canned foods, is usually more hydrating than dry food. After all, it contains more water.

For that reason, a dog that eats wet or canned food might have lower water intake needs than a dog eating dry food.

Stress

Dogs sometimes drink excessively due to stress or boredom. That might happen if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Stress can also lead to digestive discomfort, such as loose stools. That can make your dog dehydrated.

Fortunately, there are ways you can help your dog Manage Normal Stress. One good option is interactive toys.

Another is CBD. Research shows that CBD can help promote relaxation in dogs.

In one 2024 study, dogs were given CBD before a stressful car ride. The dogs given CBD demonstrated fewer signs of stress.¹⁰

A similar study from the year before gave dogs either a CBD capsule or a placebo. The dogs were then exposed to a stressful event, such as being separated from their pet parent. Those dogs given CBD demonstrated "significantly lower" stress levels than the dogs given a placebo.¹¹

CBD works by interacting with your dog's endocannabinoid system, which itself interacts with important body functions like stress. Experts believe CBD helps preserve endocannabinoids, compounds your dog's body naturally makes to signal this system.

"The molecules that I'm making right now, that your dog's making, that are essential for them balancing their lives — they can be used up," explains veterinarian Dr. Casara Andre in conversation with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer. "The CBD molecule is really powerful at slowing down the destruction of these endocannabinoids. That's a really lovely way to support what the body's already trying to do."

One of the easiest ways to give your dog CBD is with a calming hemp treat. They might like Earth Buddy's Duck & Apple chews or our stronger Beef & Pumpkin chews. Or they might prefer our hemp hearts, which blend hemp extract with natural ingredients like Blueberries or Pumpkins.

Alternatively, you can use CBD oil. You can give your dog CBD oil straight, mix it into their food, or even use it to make your own delicious hemp dog treats. Our Balance Hemp Extract contains a careful blend of CBD oil and CBDa oil to help your pet cope with external stresses and maintain a normal disposition.

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Something Else

Excessive thirst and urination can sometimes be a sign that something else is wrong with your pup.

Generally, experts recommend checking with a vet if your dog is drinking excessively for more than 48 hours. Other signs that might be a sign a vet visit is needed include excessive urination, weight loss, and lethargy.

Experts also often recommend not withholding water until you've checked with your vet.

Your vet should be able to help you get to the bottom of the issue and figure out how to support your thirsty pup.

Conclusion

Increased thirst (and urination) can be caused by all kinds of things. In some cases, it might be a result of something like warm weather or stress. But it can also be a sign something is wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Be Concerned if My Dog Is Drinking a Lot of Water?

Possibly. Dogs often become temporarily more thirsty when they are hot, and might drink more due to stress. But persistent excessive thirst and increased urination can be a sign something is wrong.

Why Is My Dog All of a Sudden So Thirsty?

Many things can cause increased thirst in dogs. Examples include hot weather, lots of exercise, salty food, and stress. Persistent increased thirst can be a sign something is wrong.

How Many Bowls of Water Should a Dog Drink in a Day?

Experts generally recommend one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. A 20-pound dog may therefore drink about 20 ounces of water per day. That's about 2.5 cups.

Keep Reading: Can Dogs Be Allergic to Cats?

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Why Is My Dog Drinking a Lot of Water Lately?

Key Takeaways

Understanding Excessive Thirst in Dogs