If your Labrador is always thirsty, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.
In this post, I will show you a number of reasons why your Labrador might always be thirsty and what you should do.
So, why is my Labrador always thirsty? Possible causes can include illness, medication, the foods that it eats, heat and being very active. If you are unsure of why your Labrador drinks a lot the best option would be to take it to a vet.
There are multiple reasons why it might be doing it and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason.
Why your Labrador is always thirsty
Below are a number of reasons why your Labrador might always be thirsty and what would make them more likely.
Illness
The cause could be that it has gotten an illness or disease. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being ill. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Medication
It could also be the case that medication has also been causing it to be thirsty. This would be more likely if it started drinking a lot after starting the medication and if becoming thirstier is a known side-effect. In this case, it would help to talk with your vet about it.
Hot weather
If the weather has become hotter it could be the case that it has been drinking more water since it helps it to stay cooler. In this case, it would help to give it access to shaded areas, a cool room, and water whenever it needs it.
It’s highly active
The reason why your Labrador drinks a lot could be that it is, naturally, highly active. This would be more likely if it gets lots of exercise and if it tends to drink a lot after getting exercise. Labradors are a breed that is meant to get a lot of exercise daily so this is unlikely to be an issue.
The food that it is eating
It could be the case that there is an issue with its diet. This would be more likely if it tends to drink a lot more when it eats certain foods or if it has started doing it more since a change in its diet.
It would help to make sure that you have been feeding it correctly and that no one else has been feeding it without telling you.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider about your Labrador being thirsty all the time.
If it has suddenly started to drink more than usual
If it was not always thirsty all the time, it would help to consider what else changed when it started being thirsty a lot since it could be the case that an event occurred that caused it to start.
If your Labrador has always drunk a lot of water then it would be more likely that it is actually drinking a normal amount especially if it is highly active and the vet has not found any issues.
Whereas, if it has started drinking a lot suddenly, it would be more likely to be due to things such as illness, hot weather, medication or a change in its diet. It would help to consider what changed at around the same time that it started drinking more.
The timing of when it tends to drink more
It would also help to consider if it tends to become thirstier at a certain time since the timing could also have something to do with it.
If your Labrador does drink more at certain times it would be more likely to be due to things such as an issue with its diet or being active. It would help to consider what happens just before it starts drinking a lot. If it drinks shortly after eating then it could be due to too much sodium.
Whereas, if your Labrador drinks a lot at random times then it would be more likely that it is actually drinking a normal amount, it is ill or that it is due to medication.
When you should be concerned
In the list below are some examples of when your Labrador drinking a lot would be a situation where you should take it to a vet:
- It is started behaving differently suddenly
- It has been acting fatigued
- It has been showing signs of illness
- It has started drinking a lot suddenly without any apparent cause
What can you do about your Labrador drinking a lot?
Below are some things you can do about your Labrador drinking a lot.
Take it to a vet
If you are unsure of why it has been drinking a lot, it has started doing it suddenly or it has been showing signs of illness, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you will be able to rule out illness or disease as a cause and to get expert advice tailored towards your particular Labrador.
Give it access to cool and shaded areas
It would also help to give it access to cool and shaded areas throughout the day so that it is able to stay cool when it is hot outside. You can also walk it in the morning or evening so that it can avoid being out in the sun when it is at its strongest.
Allow it to continue to have access to water
It is important that you allow your Labrador to continue to have access to water. Instead of reducing its access to water, take measures to deal with the cause if it is something that you can deal with such as an issue with its diet.