Behavior Archives - Page 3 of 6

Have you noticed your husky drinking a ton of water during the day? Yeah, so does Callie. As a matter of fact, many husky owners notice their dog drinking lots of water, as this is not as uncommon as you may think. Knowing why your husky chooses to drink so much water can help you better understand your pet's needs. There are several reasons why your husky may be drinking a lot of water: They live a highly active lifestyleCertain diseases and medications can cause thirstThey may simply be too hotOverly dry food may be causing your husky to drink more water When your husky is drinking more water than usual, it may be a simple change in environment or diet that can solve the problem. Let's talk about why your husky may be drinking a lot of water and what you can do to get them back on a healthy intake, if necessary. Disclaimer: The Can My Dog articles contain information based on the individual research and opinions of the author of the site – who just so happens to be a dog. How you utilize the information given is completely up to you. Proceed at your own risk. Why Does My Husky Drink So Much Water? If you have a medium to large husky, you can assume they will need larger amounts of water on a regular basis. However, there may come a time when your husky is drinking more water than usual, and there are a few reasons why this may be the case. Your dog is more active than usualCertain diseases and medicationsThey may be hotTheir food may be causing them to drink more water In most cases, your dog drinking more water may be something as simple as them just genuinely being thirsty or after they come in from playing or running around. A few instances of them drinking too much water is usually not cause for concern. However, if this is a prolonged activity or becomes regular, it may be time to pay attention. There are certain cases where drinking too much water can cause toxic concerns. Specific issues such as psychogenic polydipsia can cause severe problems for your husky, causing vomiting, lack of coordination, and even severe issues such as death and coma. 4 Reasons Why Your Husky is Drinking More Water There are four primary reasons why your husky is drinking so much water lately. It would be best if you had a general idea of what is typical for your husky in terms of water consumption so that you can recognize any abnormalities in their routine. Let’s talk about the four main reasons. Increased Levels of Exercise and Overall Activity If your husky has just finished playing or running around, they may need to drink more water. This is completely necessary, especially with a husky. Their breed is known to be high-energy and very playful. Depending on the weather outside, their coat can also increase their need for water. If your dog is continually drinking a lot of water after playing, you may want to consider checking their weight to make sure they are healthy. An overweight husky may find themselves having to work harder, which can increase their need for water. Don't Rule Out a Disease or Medication On a more serious note, an increase in your dog's water consumption, maybe something more serious. Certain diseases and medications can cause your dog to drink more water. Most of the time, a disease or a medication can cause dehydration in your husky. Here are the most common diseases that cause dehydration in dogs. DiabetesCushing’s DiseaseCancerKidney DiseaseLiver Disease If your dog is routinely drinking more water than usual for no reason, it may be worth a trip to the vet to have them examined. Your vet may be able to change medications or detect disease early on, which can save your husky's life. Maybe It's Just Too Hot For Your Husky Your husky drinking more water could be something as simple as being too hot. You may want to make sure you are keeping the inside of your home at a temperature that is suitable for you as well as your dog. As a basic rule of thumb, you should keep your house at or below 75 degrees if you can. Your husky also certainly wouldn’t turn down some ice cubes in their water dish to munch on. If your husky spends a lot of time outside, they could also be hot from the environment they live in. Huskies are best suited toward areas with colder climates but providing them cooling pads or cool areas can help make sure they are not getting too hot while they are outside. Dry Food Causes Thirst Even something as simple as the food you are feeding your husky can significantly impact their water intake throughout the day. Often dogs who eat dry food will drink more water simply because the kibble they are eating is a drying in nature. You can also check the sodium levels on your dog's food before feeding it to them. Food with high sodium levels, dry or wet, will significantly impact how much water your husky is consuming. To balance this, you could always mix up feeding both wet and dry food so that your dog has a better balance. What Happens If Your Husky Drinks Too Much Water? The average amount of water your dog should drink depends on the breed you have and the weight of your dog. Huskies should typically drink at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight. If you are focused on how much water your husky is drinking, make sure you weigh them and set out that much water for them each day. Leaving water out for a husky that is already drinking too much water can cause serious problems. Overconsumption can lead to minor problems such as loss of coordination, lethargy, vomiting, and bloating, to name a few. While these are not life-threatening to your pet, they can lead to more severe conditions. Although uncommon, there have been cases of pets practically drowning from the inside out because they drink too much water. Dry drowning can happen hours after your dog consumes the water and is extremely scary. Overconsumption can also lead to comas and even death in some cases. How To Cut Down On Your Husky's Water Intake One of the best ways to reduce your dog's intake of water is to limit their access. You want to make sure they have enough water in terms of body weight, but you do not want them to have unlimited access. You can give them a specific amount of water a few times a day to always have something to drink. If your husky is drinking excessively, the first thing you should do is take them to the vet to eliminate any conditions that may keep them feeling thirsty. Your vet may also give you more recommendations on how to control your husky's water intake throughout the day. Conclusion You need to monitor your dog's water intake. Water consumption is one of the easiest signs you can use to make sure that your dog is healthy and happy. Although there are many reasons why your husky may be drinking more water than usual, here are the four main reasons to consider: They're highly activeIt could be a certain disease or medicationThey may be too hotTheir dry food may be causing them to drink more water Most of the time, your dog drinking too much water may be a here or there type of occurrence. Chances are they were just thirsty in that moment, and it is nothing serious. If you notice them doing it more often, it may be time to watch how much they are drinking or take them to a vet for a health check. You also need to realize that every animal is different. Living arrangements, food, and even location can all impact how they eat, breathe, and even sleep. Having a strong connection to your dog can ensure you're doing what's best for them. Also, please continue to Live, Love, Laugh, and Scratch our bellies often. Love you guys, JTB P.S. If you’re new to this world, you may want to check out my Ultimate Guide for First Time Dog Parents. It’s a great reference to get you started on this journey. This article has been reviewed by our Editorial Board and has been approved for publication in accordance with our Editorial Policies.