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Why is my senior dog losing weight but eating and drinking a lot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Parson Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 15 years and 9 months old

My 15yr old female jack Russel is losing weight rapidly. She still eats the same amount, but drinks a lot of water a day. She is wormed regularly. She enjoys a good walk still.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 6th, 2016

two disease come to mind: diabetes and kidney disease. Polydipsia and Polyuria (drinking and urinating excessively) and weight loss are typical for these two diseases. It is easy to diagnose with a blood test. Please take Jasmine to your vet for a blood test. Once diabetes is diagnosed, your vet can explain the therapy (most likely insulin injections, which are easily done and nothing to be feared), and diet. If kidney disease is diagnosed, she will have to take some medications and go on a special renal diet and likely regularly get fluids injected under the skin. Please take her to the vet soon .

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    In an old dog like Jasmine, losing a lot of weight despite eating along with increased drinking could be due to diabetes. Unfortunately, cancer is always a possibility as well in old dogs. I would take Jasmine into the vet first thing in the morning. The vet can do a physical exam, routine blood tests, a urinalysis, and possibly x-rays to diagnose what is causing her weight loss. Once a cause is found, treatment can be decided. If she has diabetes, for example, it can be treated with daily insulin injections.

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    Answered By Jenny, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 28th, 2017

    At his age I would worry about kidney disease and diabetes. He may have pancreatitis or infection causing the blood diarrhea as a result of a previous disease. He will need to have blood work done to test for these disease as they do have good medicine to keep things under control since non have a cure. All of these can compromise other organs and be fatal if they go untreated but your vet can hospitalize and provide what treatments are needed along with prognosis once a diagnosis is made.

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