Symptom triage · dogs and cats
Drinking more than usual
Drinking much more than usual
Quick answer
PETHEALTH+ rates drinking more than usual as not usually an emergency — book a routine vet appointment in the next day or two. See the linked UK guides for likely causes and what to do, or use the free symptom checker for instant triage. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Guides for drinking more than usual
Cats
Kidney Disease in Cats
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common conditions in older cats.
Dogs
Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?
**Some extra drinking after exercise or hot weather is normal.** Drinking much more than usual for days — with increased urination, weight change, or lethargy — often signals an underlying illness such as **diabetes, kidney disease, Cushing's disease, or pyometra** in unspayed females.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is drinking more than usual an emergency in pets?
- Not usually an emergency, but it does need a vet. Book a routine appointment in the next day or two, sooner if your pet stops eating or deteriorates.
- Which pets does drinking more than usual affect?
- This triage topic applies to dogs and cats. If your pet shows these signs, use the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker for instant triage or phone your vet.
- What should I do right now?
- PETHEALTH+ rates this as not usually an emergency — book a routine vet appointment in the next day or two. The guides linked on this page explain likely causes and what your vet may suggest. Information only, not a diagnosis.
Not sure how urgent it is?
Answer two questions and the free PETHEALTH+ symptom checker will tell you whether to phone a vet now, today, or monitor at home.