I spent last week in the sunny, snowy, French Alps. I have returned home to find the rain has continued and continued. I’m waiting for the day the animals enter the surgery two by two! So with water all around us, should we worry if our pets show increased thirst? It may simply be due to a change in diet or hot weather. More often than not, however, an increase in your pets’ drinking should ring alarm bells.

Probably the most well-known of these illnesses is chronic kidney disease. This is a progressive and irreversible illness. It impairs the kidney’s ability to filter waste products from the blood and prevents efficient water reabsorption. It is more common in cats than dogs and can easily be detected with blood tests and urinalysis. Appropriate support and treatment can dramatically improve pets’ quality of life.

Diabetes Mellitus is another frequently diagnosed disease of both cats and dogs. The body either fails to produce or respond to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. This is managed with diet and regular insulin injections, which is easier than it sounds!

Other less common causes of an increased thirst are, womb infections, malignancies, hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease), urinary tract infections, Hyperthyroidism (in cats) and extremely rarely in dogs; Diabetes Insipidus and Psychogenic Polydipsia.

One thing that surprises a number of people is many of these diseases actually cause excess urination with the animals drinking excessively to replace lost fluids. Owners withholding water in an attempt to prevent urination can be dangerous!

These illnesses are manageable or treatable and easily diagnosed by tests readily available at our surgeries. A physical exam and thorough history will usually allow us to quickly differentiate between these illnesses and pick an appropriate investigation and treatment plan for your pets.