My senior dog drinks too much, vets say she's just old. What's next?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 11 years and 9 months old | 77 lbs
My German Shepard won't stop drinking water. She will drink bowlful after bowlful if we let her. We have already taken her to the Vets and they did tests for Cushings, diabetes and kidneys, her bloods came back good. She has recently gotten worse in the last week. She cries at 5am in the morning because she wants water and if we let her outside she will run straight to the pong and continuously drinks. The Vets arnt very helpful as they say she is just 'old' (11 years old), please help?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 18th, 2017
This sounds very frustrating both for you and Missy! I'm glad to hear that you have already taken her to the vet to rule out some of the more common causes of excessive drinking and urination. Age isn't a disease and drinking excessively is not normal at any age. If she has not yet had a urinalysis performed, this could rule out a urinary tract infection and also provide additional information regarding kidney function. In some cases, dogs can experience psychogenic increases in their drinking which do not have a direct medical cause. However, these cases are not terribly common and all other conditions causing excessive drinking must be ruled out to reach this diagnosis. At this point, I would discuss a urinalysis and abdominal ultrasound (looking for changes in the adrenal gland, liver and kidneys in particular) with Missy's vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 11th, 2020
Am increase in thirst or urination, especially in an older pet, may indicate a degree of kidney disease. Other potential causes include infection and behavioral issues (psychogenic polydipsia). As long as he is behaving normally, you can wait to see your veterinarian. Schedule an appointment in the morning. Your veterinarian may recommend blood work to assess major organ function. Afterwards, xrays of the abdomen or an ultrasound may be done to further assess the kidneys and bladder.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 14th, 2018
Drinking excessively also means that he is Urinating a lot more. This is called Polydipsia and polyuria or PU PD. There are various reasons for PU PD and they need to be investigated by a veterinarian, especially in an old dog. Blood work can rule out any of those. 1) diabetes---a urinalysis and blood test will be able to rule it in or out. Diabetes is usually treated with diet and insulin. 2) Cushing's disease: This is an overproduction of cortisone, either signaled by a pituitary tumor in the brain or by a malfunction or tumor of the adrenal glands. Medication can inhibit cortisone production. A potbelly and thinning or haircoat and excessive panting are common signs as well. 3) Kidney disease, treated with diet and supportive treatment 4)diabetes insipidus, usually tested with a water deprivation test and treated with a medication called Minirin. You will need to make an appointment with your vet for an exam and blood tests. I am sure your vet will find the cause of the PU PD.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on October 12th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Scooter! Increased thirst, increased urination and urinary accidents are not normal. Since she is older I would recommend having her seen by a Vet and have blood work done. Increased thirst and urination can be from many things: Kidney disease, liver disease, Cushings, diabetes, cancer, urinary tract infection and if she isn't spayed then a infected uterus (pyometra) is also a cause. She should be seen! I wish you the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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