My Pet Drinking More Water - What Should I Do?

If your cat or dog seems to be drinking more water than usual it is worth taking note of this as it could be the first sign of a health problem. Sometimes it can be a sudden change and other times it can be a gradual increase over several months, either way it would be advisable to take your pet to see their vet.
There are a multitude of diseases that can cause an increase in water intake which includes Diabetes, Kidney failure, Infection, Fever, Cancer and Hyperthyroidism. Another cause could be if you have recently changed your pet’s diet from a wet food to dry food as wet food may have up to 70% water content.
If you suspect your cat or dog is drinking more you could firstly find out exactly how much they are drinking in 24 hours; measure the water volume in their filled water bowl then 24 hours later re-measure the amount of water left. The difference will be the amount they have drunk. This figure, in conjunction with your pet’s weight, can help the vet assess whether he/she is drinking an excessive amount. Of course this may be impractical if you have multiple pets using the same bowl. Secondly, you could collect a fresh urine sample in a clean container just prior to your vet appointment as urinalysis can help the vet reach a diagnosis.
You can expect your vet to perform a thorough clinical examination and possibly a blood test to help rule out various conditions.
Pets n Vets