An Elderly Dog Drinking and Urinating Excessively: What It Could Mean and How to Respond
Another Warning Sign in Senior Dogs: Excessive Drinking and Frequent Urination
I’m excited to share another edition of our weekly „Ask Dr. Paola” column, where we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help you better understand your dog’s health and well-being. Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover with years of experience, Dr. Paola is here to answer your most pressing questions. From nutrition and preventive care tips to addressing common behavioral issues, she’s ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion.
Latest news
Rescue Dog Shows Gratitude to Every Person Helping Her Heal
Family Adopts Terminally Ill St. Bernard After Her Human Passes Away
Neighbors Take Action After Town Ignores Abused Dog
Retired Firefighter Reunited with Lost Dogs During Live InterviewHave a question? Submit it here!
After my boss passed away, I took in his elderly dog, a Red Heeler named Bob, so he wouldn’t end up in a shelter. I give him turkey tails for his chews, and he’s overweight. It’s hard to walk him when it’s 100 degrees outside. In the past few months, he’s been drinking a lot of water and urinating much more frequently than usual. He mostly stays indoors, and when I take him outside to pee, the first thing he does when he comes back inside is rush to the water bowl, as if he’s trying to replace what he just eliminated!
What suggestions do you have to try?
You’ve done something very generous by giving Bob a home after he lost his
You’ve done something very generous by giving Bob a home after he lost his person. He seems like an older dog who’s been through a lot, and it’s wonderful that he has someone who cares for him. The increase in water consumption and urination you’re observing, especially since it’s been going on for several months, is something I’d want to have checked out, rather than assuming it’s just due to age or hot weather. Senior dogs can develop several conditions that produce this combination of symptoms, including diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing’s disease.
I’d schedule a veterinary exam and request some basic laboratory tests, specifically blood work and a urinalysis. These can provide information we simply can’t get by just looking at Bob. Blood tests can tell us about his blood sugar, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, and other changes that could help identify what’s going on. A urine sample is equally valuable. It can show whether his kidneys are concentrating urine properly, and it can also detect glucose, ketones, protein, blood, inflammation, and other abnormalities. Depending on those results, his veterinarian may recommend additional testing.
Please don’t restrict his water, even if it seems like he’s drinking again what he just urinated. In many of these conditions, excessive thirst is the body’s way of trying to replace lost fluids. Taking water away from him could actually cause dehydration and make him much sicker. Keep fresh water available at all times, and because of the heat, try to take him outside during the cooler parts of the day. If you can, measuring roughly how much water he drinks in a day would also be very helpful information for his veterinarian.
I’d also recommend having his lumps examined properly, rather than relying on turkey tails or other supplements. Some lumps are harmless, but others can be more serious, and we can’t tell the difference just by touch or sight. A fine-needle aspirate can often collect cells from a lump with minimal discomfort and can give the veterinarian a much better idea of what it is. With Bob being overweight and having difficulty walking in the heat, addressing any medical issues first will make working on his weight and mobility much safer.
He’s clearly found someone who cares for him, and sometimes the most loving thing we can do for an old dog is simply to learn what his body is trying to tell us.