What Would You Class As Excessive Amounts Of Water?

[bell]

Just trying to guage if this amount of water is alot or within normal limits. My 10.5year old boxer can drink about 3lt of water in a day. It is also not over the day she will stand there and drink for a couple of minutes empty half the bowl at a time.

I also noticed her the other day in the space of 5 minutes pee twice.

I know alot of water would make her pee alot but she is getting older so do worry.

[VJB]

How much does your boxer weigh? I would say it is a little on the excessive side, but I'm unsure by how much. It would be worthwhile putting out a specific amount of water and getting an exact measurement.

[bell]

about 25kg. I will try and measure how much, it is hard with 2 around but she drinks the most out of both of them and i fill their 2.5lt bowl up at least twice a day.

[spottychick]

One of my dogs used to drink like a camel and did the worlds longest pees. He would drink half a bucket at a time - easily.

Why does this matter? What damage can it do? It never seemed to harm my boy.

[VJB]

I'm not experienced in this kind of stuff, but my vet recently wanted me to measure my dogs water intake. I know it had something to do with weight of dog per litres of water in 24 hours. By the sounds of it, I think your dog is having an excessive amount. Maybe worthwhile making vet appt and having a chat about it.

[Rappie]

As a general rule, 100ml or more of water per kg is considered excessive.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Rappie

[bell]

One of my dogs used to drink like a camel and did the worlds longest pees. He would drink half a bucket at a time - easily.

Why does this matter? What damage can it do? It never seemed to harm my boy.

i guess due to her age i worry about kidney problems. I am not concerned about the harm, i am concerned about why she would be drinking lots.

[Dogsfevr]

I agree drinking excessive can be a major sign of illness & paying attention to these things can mean the difference between getting on top of things early or leaving it too late.

As far as her water intake how much does she spill out??Is she a messy drinker or a very clean drinker.My guys put more on the floor than in there mouths.

If your not sure maybe just head to the vet for a blood test or the likes

Edited March 8, 2010 by showdog

[bell]

there is a little bit of spill but not much, she is a pretty clean drinker.

[gareth]

Why does this matter? What damage can it do? It never seemed to harm my boy.

Can be a sign of diabetes.

[Sharna3]

Hi Bel,

Excessive drinking in older dogs can definitely indicate issues - has she only developed this recently or is it a lifelong habit?

My Rotti drank excessively (1.5-2 litres in one drink) all his life and it wasn't a health issue, but if your dog has only just started doing this I would definitely suggest a trip to the vets and they will run some tests just to put your mind at ease.

In the meantime - it might be wise to watch her and make her pause for a minute or two when drinking just to ensure she doesn't get bloat , especially just after exercise :-)

[spottychick]

Oh ok. So generally it's not a problem but can indicate a health issue if it's suddenly more water consumption than normal. Gotcha.

With dallys the more they drink the better basically - they need to flush crystals out of their urine - which is why I was puzzled about someone being concerned about drinking a lot of water. I only get worried when they don't drink enough.

[stormie]

I'd be off to the vets with a urine sample and to have some bloods run, I think.

[bell]

she has always been one to gulp her water, so we always watch her drinking cause if she drinks too much at one time she will throw up, but the intake has definately increase in the past few months, i thought it was just summer heat but it is the same on cooler days. We dont let her drink after about 6pm as she wets the bed at night otherwise (the get let out to pee at about 10 and then 6am).

Will see about taking her to the vet.

[ellz]

Some dogs are big drinkers, some aren't.

BUT, if there is a change in the amount consumed, or a particular pattern that has been sufficient to have you asking questions, then IMO it is worth checking out.

[hilaryo]

We dont let her drink after about 6pm as she wets the bed at night otherwise (the get let out to pee at about 10 and then 6am).

Will see about taking her to the vet.

Yes, as others have mentioned it can mean serious health issues. I would not be restricting her water intake in case there is a health problem until you have her checked out at the vet even though it means a wet bed.

I would take her to the vet with a urine sample (not easy to get!) as they will definately need one.

[j]

Excessive water consumption is one of the signs of Cushings disease. As the owner of a recently diagnosed dog, I have spent a lot of time lately measuring my dogs daily intake of water.

60ml per kilo in a 24hr period is considered normal. Anything more would be considered excessive.

Obviously, there are lots of other things it could indicate, but as that is what I have been dealing with recently, it was first thing to my mind.

Another obvious sign of Cushings is a ravenous appetite. From what I understand, Cushings is much more frequent in the smaller dogs, but is certainly still common enough in larger dogs.

A trip to the vets will ease your mind