| If your dog is drinking a large
amount of water, but not urinating frequently, then
the excessive intake may be only a perceived
problem. The average water intake and urine output
for normal dogs is about 30mls/pound/24 hours, which
is about one ounce/pound/day or 100 ounces
(approximately 12 cups/day) for your 100-pound dog.
To find out if the water consumption is indeed
excessive, you will need to determine your dog’s
daily average water consumption. Concurrently,
your veterinarian may assess the urine produced with
a urinalysis. The concentration of the urine will
reflect directly and indirectly the water intake. If
your dog makes concentrated or moderately
concentrated urine, then your pet’s water
consumption reflects what his needs are. Dogs eating
dry food or living in a heated environment may have
increased water requirements that are not
pathologic.
If the urine is poorly concentrated, and if the
dog is drinking significantly more than the
calculated amount, then your veterinarian will need
to assess whether the increased thirst is organic or
behavioral in origin. Kidney failure, liver disease,
and some endocrine disorders often cause increased
thirst. Kidney failure is very common in older dogs;
usually the first signs are increased thirst and
urination. Increased thirst can also be behavioral,
secondary to attention seeking, boredom, pain or
unknown causes.
Please discuss this with your
veterinarian; provide him or her with the
information on how much water your dog drinks daily.
This should be very helpful. |
