My dog is constantly drinking water and urinating sticky urine. Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Pinscher | Male | neutered | 7 years and 7 months old | 30 lbs

So sorry to hear that Cindy is having this issue. Drinking a lot is called polydipsia and urinating a lot is called polyuria. Together those two are often symptoms of an underlying disease usually involving the endocrine system. Most commonly: diabetes and Cushing's disease but other diseases are also possible like hypothyroidism. This article may help explain things in a bit more depth: https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/polydipsia-and-polyuria-excessive-drinking-and-urinating-in-dogs/ My recommendation is to get Cindy to your vet for an exam and some testing. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Poor George! I'm sorry to hear that he's having this problem. Drinking a lot and having very dilute urine is called polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD) - this is a symptom that can have many different causes, so it is sometimes challenging to get a definite diagnosis. Some common possible causes in dogs would include diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, hypercalcemia, or diabetes insipidus. Basic blood work can help to rule out some of these causes, but specialized testing is often needed for the others. An ultrasound could potentially be helpful if it shows enlarged adrenal glands, since this can be an indicator of Cushing's disease, but specialized lab work is often a better diagnostic test for this. For my PU/PD patients, I often consider cortisol testing for Cushing's or Addison's disease as the next logical step after basic blood work. A trial course of desmopressin (DDAVP) can also help to control PU/PD symptoms in some dogs if no obvious cause is found. If your vet seems at a loss for what to do next, I would suggest seeking a second opinion from another veterinarian in your area or requesting referral to an internal medicine specialist for further work-up.

Why is my dog drinking so much water and peeing sticky urine?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My dog is constantly drinking water and urinating sticky urine

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM 64

Veterinarian

Published on December 6th, 2018

Drinking a lot more means that he is also 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) A urinary tract infection, urinary crystals or stones: treatment varies according to the cause. 5) 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.

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Why is my dog drinking so much water and peeing sticky urine?

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