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My senior dog drinks excessive water and seems disoriented. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 14 years and 8 months old | 11 lbs

I have a 14 1/2 year old jack russell. She has lately been obsessed with eating cat poo (yuk) and constantly searching for water. I have been limiting her water intake to 30mls every 2 hours, otherwise if I put water down for her she just drinks and drinks. She also seems to be disorientated and confused.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 1st, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend giving Shilo free access to water as she may have something going on internally that requires water. I recommend taking her to a vet for blood work to rule out diabetes, Cushings, or kidney disease. These are all illnesses that cause increased thirst and she may need treatment. Good luck and kisses to Shilo!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Christie Long, DVM
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on April 2nd, 2017
The issue with regulating water intake is that there is *something* that is driving her to want to drink water, and if you restrict her access you run the very high risk of putting her into dehydration. In other words, she needs the water, likely because of a medical problem, and that need doesn't go away if you keep water from her, so the tissues become dehydrated without the supply of water, and later giving her access to that quantity of water will not rehydrate her effectively.

The important thing is to try to find out what is driving her to drink so much water that she has accidents in the house, or becomes incontinent (often called overflow incontinence when combined with excessive thirst). Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipitus, kidney failure, liver disease, and certain cancers (lymphoma comes to mind) are all possibilities, and I would urge you to not limit Molly's water intake, but to instead try to find out what is driving it. Your vet can start with blood work and a urinalysis in order to try to start determining what's going on.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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