Why is My Dog So Thirsty All of a Sudden?

For a dog and every other living thing on the planet, water is unquestionably a vital component of survival. 

Thirst is a normal part of a dog’s life, but a sudden onset of severe thirst can indicate a serious problem, though this is not always the case. 

The majority of the time, the reason is simply to rehydrate after an intense cardio session or after spending time outside in the heat. 

If your dog suddenly becomes thirsty even though he hasn’t exercised or been exposed to hot weather recently, there could be several causes, some of which are potentially life-threatening. 

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5 Reasons of Sudden Thirst in Dogs

1: Exercise

Exercise is a crucial part of any canine regimen, so it should come as no surprise that we’ve included it.

Because dogs typically have a thick coat and an undercoat, exercising even in cooler weather can cause their body temperature to rise rapidly. 

And, because dogs don’t sweat like humans to cool themselves, the only other option they have is to indulge themselves with a refreshing drink of water. 

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless your dog is consuming an excessive amount of water.

2: Overheating

In certain circumstances, dogs can become overheated while resting in the comfort of their own home. 

My dog, a basset mixed with lab, can grow too hot in my house, which has a familiar indoor temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This is most likely because my dog has quite a thick coat. It can, though, be a signal that something is wrong. 

This could be anything, so it can be challenging to determine what it is. 

If your dog appears to be in excellent health but is drinking inordinate amounts of water, keep a watch on him and make sure their environment is cool. 

If they continue to drink constantly for the next 24 hours, I recommend that you take them to the veterinarian.

3: Kidney Issues

Although kidney problems are improbable, they’re still a distinct possibility. Dogs can urinate excessively if their kidneys become damaged and unable to function properly. 

To avoid becoming dehydrated, dogs will instinctively begin to drink more water as soon as this begins to happen. 

Bring your pup to the vet as soon as feasible if they’re also peeing more than usual, especially if the urine is darker than normal. 

Kidney issues are severe and do not usually resolve on their own.

4: Diarrhea

An upset stomach is another possible reason why your dog may be consuming excessive amounts of water. 

Diarrhea is caused by the intestines receiving an excessive amount of water compared to their normal amount. 

This allows the bowels to expel their contents more quickly than they would otherwise, which aids in removing bacteria. 

If your dog is experiencing diarrhea, this could be the cause. Make certain, however, that diarrhea does not last longer than 24 hours. 

If it continues for a lengthened period, it could become a severe problem.

5: Infection

There is a slew of infections that can cause dogs to drink excessive amounts of water. For starters, a urinary tract infection (UTI) could cause a dog to urinate excessively. 

PyoMetra, a more severe infection than a UTI, can also cause this and is potentially life-threatening in nature. Antibiotics are the usual traditional approach to treating infection. 

Some severe infections, on the other hand, may necessitate surgical intervention. An appointment with the veterinarian is required for any type of infection, regardless of the cause. 

So, if you speculate that your canine may be suffering from an infection, it’s time to take them to the veterinarian.

3 Tips on Handling Sudden Thirst

1: Keep a Close Eye

The primary thing you should do is maintain a close eye on your dog at all times. Dogs are exceptionally skilled at concealing their emotions. 

Even if a dog’s broken limb is in excruciating pain, he may continue to walk on it despite the discomfort. 

Maintain an eye for symptoms such as heavy breathing/panting, abnormal pupil size, and changes in the color of the skin and white parts of the eyes. 

If any changes are noticed, you should take your pet to the veterinarian.

2: Check its Urine

Examining your dog’s urine is a very effective way to determine the health of its organ systems. Urine that is in good health should be a bright yellow. 

Dogs that expel urine that is dark yellow, brown, or orange, or that expel insufficient urine, may be suffering from a serious problem. 

You should be bothered if your dog is experiencing problems with his kidneys, liver, or urinary tract. Additionally, it can be a symptom of dehydration or infection, among other things. 

In many cases, peeing in the bed can be a symptom of drinking too much water.

3: Visit The Vet

If, after 24 hours, your dog proceeds to down excessive amounts of water, I strongly advise that you take them to the vet as quickly as feasible. 

Issues that persist for a longer period are more likely to be related to something serious. 

If they continue to consume water excessively, it may also lead to severe consequences.

Takeaway

Dogs are courageous, loving, and affectionate, and they excel at masking their emotions. Dogs are the best. As a consequence, we must pay special attention to the health of our dogs. 

The most common cause of sudden thirst is mild dehydration, which can be remedied by drinking plenty of water. This, on the other hand, should not last longer than 24 hours. 

If this is the case, I strongly advise that you take your dog to the veterinarian.



Written by Brian Rucker

Brian Rucker has been a dog lover since childhood. He has had his Lab Mix with Hound for over 10+ years now! They enjoy playing outdoors together. Brian loves sharing his knowledge about all things dog on this website. Read more of Brian's articles.