It might be alarming if your dog suddenly stops drinking water, but if you’re dealing with a dog drinking a lot of water (or at least more than usual), that may be a cause for concern too. Because while it may be due to benign reasons like hot weather, excessive thirst in dogs can also be a sign of a more serious health issue. Read on to learn more about the reasons for a dog drinking a lot of water and what you can do about it.

How much water should a dog drink a day?

How much water a dog should drink in a day depends on several factors, like their size, activity level, diet, stage of life and the climate they’re in. Most dogs need about one ounce of clean water for every pound of their body weight per day1. Or in metric terms: 60-80 ml of water per kilogram2.

You can use this guide we created to find out how much water your dog should be drinking based on their size, activity level, the temperature and food type:

Infographic summarizing how much water a dog should drink per day
Zentek, Jürgen & Meyer, Helmut (2016).”Ernährung des Hundes: Grundlagen – Fütterung – Diätetik. Enke publishing house.

When in doubt, consult your vet about how much water your dog should be drinking.

How much water is too much water for a dog to drink in a day?

Excessive thirst (known as polydipsia in the medical world) in dogs is generally considered to be when a dog drinks over 100 ml per kg of body weight per day3. But the exact amount of water in a day that’s considered ‘too much’ varies from dog to dog, based on the factors we mentioned above. Remember, every dog is an individual and needs vary.

5 harmless reasons for a dog drinking a lot of water

Now just like humans, your dog’s level of thirst can have its ups and downs throughout the day. And in certain situations – when a female dog is nursing a litter of puppies – they’ll drink a bit extra. So before you find yourself worrying, here are some the more harmless reasons why you may have a dog drinking a lot of water:

1) Hot weather

If it’s a hot day outdoors, it’s quite normal for your dog to drink more water than usual.

Just like us, heat puts a strain on your dog’s body. As a result, they might pant more heavily than usual – causing them to lose moisture from their tongues, throats, and upper respiratory tracts. This helps them cool down but also can lead to increased fluid loss, which makes them thirstier.

In warm weather, make sure your dog has access to fresh water and shade at all times. And take steps to prevent overheating or heat stroke in dogs.

A woman and dog playing in a garden

2) Increased exercise

Increased physical activity or exercise can also lead to a dog drinking a lot of water.

⚠️ Not all dogs respond as well to an increase in activity – some might even experience difficulties breathing or overheating while out on runs or hikes together.

So make sure to:

  • Tailor your activity to your dog’s age, fitness level, and breed.
  • Find a balance – too little exercise and your dog might grow overweight and ill. Too much exercise and they might end up with injuries or mobility-affecting conditions like arthritis.
  • Take plenty of (water) breaks and warm up thoroughly before you get started.

💡A Dog Activity Tracker can help you set goals for how much exercise you want your buddy to hit per day – and monitor if their activity level changes.

A woman training her dog outdoors

3) Mental workout

Keeping your dog mentally active can be one of the best investments you can make for their health and well-being. Things like:

  • Teaching them new tricks
  • Revisiting their obedience training
  • Trying out new training methods, like clicker training
  • Investing in food puzzles and interactive toys
  • Increasing the amount of time they spend around other pets and people
A woman training a dog indoors

But mental stimulation can also cause increased thirst in dogs.

Why? Because much like with us, dogs’ brains are mostly made up of water.

And the more you get them to use their brains in new and different ways, it uses up more water.

Read more: How to Keep Your Dog Mentally Active

4) Diet changes

If you’ve switched from wet food to dry food or just generally switched up your buddy’s diet, you might end up with an extra thirsty dog. Dry foods tend to be a lot less hydrating than wet foods. So it’s normal for your dog to head to the water bowl more often.

Just make sure to discuss any changes with your vet beforehand – so you know you’re giving your buddy enough to keep them happy and healthy.

Two Corgis sitting by food bowls

5) Medications

Some kinds of medication might lead your dog to pee more – resulting in them drinking more water to make up for the loss. Including:

  • Diuretics, which are often used to treat heart and kidney disease.
  • Glucocorticoids, which are used to treat inflammation and allergies.
  • Anti-convulsants, which are used to treat epileptic seizures in dogs. These can affect your dog’s kidneys or lead to changes in electrolyte balance.
  • Psychotropic medication, which are used to treat behavioral disorders. These can affect your dog’s central nervous system or indirectly affect their metabolism or urine excretion.

If your dog is on medication, keep track of any increase in thirst – and bring it up with your vet. This will help you figure out whether your dog’s extra water drinking is normal or if there’s cause for concern.

5 medical causes of excessive thirst in dogs

Now once you’ve ruled out the weather, exercise, training, and medication – here are some easy-to-miss health conditions that might cause your dog to drink more water than usual.

1) Diabetes mellitus

Much like us, dogs are also vulnerable to diabetes – especially the older they are, or if they’re on the overweight side.

With diabetes, your dog’s body doesn’t properly transport any sugar from their blood into their cells (for energy.) This can lead to increased blood sugar – as well as increased thirst. You might also find your dog losing weight without a change in diet.

2) Gastrointestinal problems

Take your eyes off them for just a second – and your dog’s eaten something they shouldn’t have. Which, depending on what it is, might be fatally toxic if you aren’t vigilant!

So besides being mindful of what food are off-limits for your buddy, make sure to inform your friends and loved ones too. (You want to avoid one of them feeding your dog something potentially dangerous by accident – especially if you’re hosting them for a big dinner or similar.)

If you aren’t able to intervene immediately, your buddy might end up with a bad case of stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. All of which make them lose fluids and even end up dehydrated – leading to them drinking more water to make up for the loss.

PRO TIP: You can use a GPS & health tracker for dogs to monitor your buddy’s activity, sleep and whereabouts. A dog tracker helps you keep an eye on your dog’s behavior, providing health alerts that can help you detect health issues early.

Dog wearing white Tractive GPS Dog Tracker outside in a field, Tractive GPS app screens in the foreground

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3) Liver & urinary diseases

Your dog’s liver, bladder, and kidneys all play important roles in their body’s water balance. So if they’re infected, you might find your buddy:

  • Needing to pee more than usual – but also in smaller amounts
  • Showing blood in their urine
  • Peeing around the house
  • Showing a swollen, distended abdomen area that’s sensitive to touch

All these diseases might cause your dog to drink more water in order to pee out the toxins.

4) Infections

Different types of infection – including viral and bacterial infections that cause fever – can cause your dog to grow thirstier.

5) Cushing’s Syndrome

This condition leads to an overproduction of cortisol (the stress hormone.) Which can affect your dog’s metabolism and cause them to drink more.

Senior dog drinking a lot of water

Unfortunately, when a senior dog starts drinking a lot of water, it’s usually not a good sign. Excess thirst in older dogs can indicate a health issue, such as:

  • kidney infection or failure
  • liver failure
  • diabetes mellitus
  • Cushing’s disease
  • dehydration
  • bladder infection
  • womb infection (pyometra)
  • high blood calcium
  • overactive adrenal or thyroid glands

If left untreated, many of these diseases can be fatal. So make an appointment with your vet asap if you notice your senior dog drinking more.

What to do if your dog drinks a lot of water

If you find your dog drinking a lot more than usual, here are some steps you can take:

  • Never restrict water: Cutting off your dog’s water access can worsen dehydration and underlying issues.
  • Monitor diet: Opt for low-sodium treats and consider switching to a moisture-rich diet (like wet food) after consulting your vet.
  • Keep them cool: In hot weather, provide shade, fresh water, and rest breaks to prevent overheating.
  • Regular vet check-ups: Routine exams can catch potential problems early and keep your pet healthy.

When to worry

While a little extra water on a hot day is normal, you should seek veterinary care if:

  • Your dog drinks excessively for more than 24-48 hours.
  • They are urinating more frequently or having accidents in the house.
  • They show signs of weight loss, vomiting, or lethargy.

Catching these symptoms early can make a big difference in your dog’s health outcomes.

The tech that helps you keep tabs on your dog’s health

Did you know? Vets recommend tracking your dog’s everyday activity4. That’s because a sudden change in dog’s normal activity level or sleep disturbances can be signs that something’s wrong.

With Tractive’s Health Alerts, you can detect unusual changes in your dog’s behavior—like increased restlessness or sudden inactivity. The simple dog tracking device alerts you the moment that there is a noticeable drop in your dog’s activity, so you can take action and get them to a vet for a checkup.

packaging of the Tractive GPS DOG tracker

Stay on top of your dog’s wellness

See how they’re doing at a glance with Wellness Score. Set goals. Compare with dogs like yours. Monitor sleep. Detect issues and keep them healthy.

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Combined with GPS tracking, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can monitor your furry friend’s health and safety around the clock.

Water intoxication in dogs: What to watch out for

What many dog parents also need to watch out for is water poisoning – or when your dog ingests too much (or contaminated) water. If your dog ingests at least a third of their body weight in water – they might be at risk for water intoxication.5 When this much water enters their bloodstream, it can disturb their body’s electrolyte balance – especially their levels of sodium. Left untreated, this can even lead to death.

Signs of water poisoning in dogs

If you think your dog’s ingested more water than they can handle, it can be deadly if you miss out on it. So make sure to watch out for these signs:

  • Distended abdomen
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Heavy salivation
  • Dilated pupils
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Uncontrolled peeing
  • Muscle twitching
  • Seeming dazed or uncoordinated

What should I do if my dog drinks too much water?

Water intoxication is an emergency. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to a vet as soon as possible. If you can, call them in advance so that they’re prepared for your arrival.

On your way to the vet, give your dog something salty to eat – like salt sticks or salty cookies, if you have some available.

Preventing water intoxication in dogs

Now if you’ve got a dog that loves being in water, it’s a good idea to:

  • Keep an eye on how long they’ve been swimming or just being in water in general
  • Ensure they take enough breaks
  • Watch out for the signs of water intoxication or overexertion
  • Use a frisbee or a safe stick substitute for fetch rather than a ball (so your dog won’t have to keep their mouth so wide open when jumping in)
  • Keep track of your dog’s location, so you can prevent them from wandering (unsupervised) into an area full of pools, ponds, or lakes.

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Want a vet’s take on excessive water drinking and what might cause it in dogs? Here’s Dr. Lera from the Heron Lakes Animal Hospital weighing in:

And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.

Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.

This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.

Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University.

Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).