Every Great Dane is different and will drink different amounts of water depending on their health, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
However, a Great Dane drinking a lot of water is concerning especially if your dog is drinking a lot more than usual.
It is normal for a Great Dane to be thirsty when it’s hot, or after an exercise, but what other factors cause a Great Dane to drink a lot of water?
Why is your Great Dane drinking so much water?
Let’s look into factors that contribute to a Great Dane drinking a lot of water, the potential complications, and what to do.
Why Is My Great Dane Drinking so Much Water?
A Great Dane drinking so much water is a result of excessive thirst caused by different factors including underlying illness, dehydration, diet, play or exercise, lactating females, puppy thirst, and medication. Increased water intake can be temporary which is normal, however, it can also be unusual due to underlying health conditions.
Do Great Danes drink a lot of water?
Yes, like many large dog breeds, Great Danes have a higher water intake compared to smaller breeds. The exact amount can vary based on factors such as their size, age, activity level, and the climate they live in. Generally, large breeds like Great Danes drink more water to stay hydrated and maintain their overall health.
It is therefore important to provide your Great Dane with access to fresh and clean water at all times, especially considering their size and potential for dehydration.
How much water should a Great Dane drink?
A Great Dane should drink 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. This is a general guideline for a healthy adult dog, regardless of the dog breed. The amount of water also varies depending on factors such as their age, size, activity level, diet, and environmental conditions.
Great Danes are a large breed, and as such, they can weigh anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds or more. This means they require a significant amount of water.
For example, a 150-pound Great Dane needs around 150 ounces (approximately 4.4 liters) of water per day. However, individual dogs can have different needs, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s behavior, activity level, and overall health to adjust their water intake accordingly.
How much water should a Great Dane puppy drink?
As a general guideline, Great Dane puppies drink about 1/2 to 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. However, individual requirements vary based on factors such as age, weight, diet, activity level, and environmental conditions.
Puppies, in general, tend to have higher water requirements than adult dogs because they are growing and developing rapidly.
Common Reasons For Great Dane Drinking So Much Water
Underlying illness
Some conditions and diseases cause a Great Dane to drink more water than usual.
Conditions such as cancer, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, liver or kidney disease, infections, uterine infection of a female dog, and hyperthyroidism cause excessive shirts and intake of water.
If your Great Dane is drinking a lot of water, an underlying condition is likely to be the cause.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a common cause of increased water intake in a Great Dane. Dehydration is caused when a dog does not drink enough water or loses water and electrolytes through either vomiting or diarrhea.
Dehydration is life-threatening. It can lead to organ damage and death.
See also: Why is my Great Dane drooling so much?
Diet
Diet can cause your Great Dane to drink so much water especially if their diet mainly consists of dry food.
A dry food diet has a small percentage of water therefore it causes thirst and increased water intake.
Play or exercise
Vigorous activities such as play and exercise cause dehydration and thirst and a Great Dane will have the urge to drink water.
When your dog is engaged in these activities, expect them to drink a lot of water which is normal for a thirsty dog.
Lactating females
Lactation is the process of production of milk through the mammary glands of a female dog. It is driven by hormonal changes when a dog has puppies to enable her to feed her young ones.
Lactating female Great Danes drink more water than an average dog because the hormonal changes cause excessive thirst and increased water intake to support the production of milk.
Puppy thirst
Puppies have a very active lifestyle compared to older or senior dogs and they will tend to get thirsty quickly.
This results in increased water intake to quench their thirst.
Therefore depending on your Great Dane’s age, if you have young dogs they will tend to drink a lot of water.
Medication
Some medications cause extreme thirst and dehydration causing a Great Dane to drink a lot of water.
Complications
Dehydration is the most common complication of excessive thirst in a Great Dane. Excessive dehydration leads to consciousness, organ failure, and death.
Thirst is normal when it is temporary, and it can be managed by the provision of enough drinking water.
However, when a Great Dane starts drinking a lot of water frequently, it can also be because of underlying illnesses that can be life-threatening.
Therefore thirst can be a sign of a more serious condition and the cause should be identified and addressed.
Related: Why is Great Dane Always Thirsty?
What to Do for A Great Dane Drinking so Much Water
At-home care for thirst should be offered when your Great Dane experiences thirst due to normal activities such as play, exercise, or during hot days.
This can simply be done by providing your dog with enough drinking water to quench its thirst.
Also if your Great Dane is still a puppy or you have a female that is caring for her young, it is natural for these life stages to drink a lot of water. Therefore provide enough drinking water.
However, if you notice that your Great Dane is unusually drinking so much water without any obvious cause such as thirst due to hot weather, play, exercise, puppy, or lactating female, seek medical attention.
This means that the excessive thirst could be due to an underlying condition and the veterinarian will evaluate your dog to determine the cause.
Recommended reading: Why is my Great Dane so clingy?
If possible, carry a urine sample from your Great Dane during your appointment with the veterinarian. This will be tested and will help in the diagnosis.
Other diagnostic tests will be conducted and the veterinarian will have questions for you about the surrounding factors that may have contributed to your Great Dane drinking so much water.
This includes questions on your dog’s lifestyle, diet, and any signs of illness that may have appeared.
The recommended treatment will be based on the diagnosis. Treatment may include:
- Change of diet
- Medication and management of disease or infections
- Rehydration through intravenous fluids
- Surgery
- Home-based care through the provision of enough drinking water
Great Danes and water
Great Danes, as one of the largest dog breeds, have a substantial need for water to support their overall health and well-being. Due to their size, these gentle giants typically require a significant amount of drinking water daily.
It is important to ensure constant access to fresh and clean water for your dog to prevent dehydration and support their bodily functions.
Monitor their water intake and consult with your veterinarian for personalized recommendations to maintain the health of your Great Dane.
Takeaway: Great Dane drinking water
A Great Dane drinking so much water is a reason to worry because it can indicate your dog is not ok.
The first thing to do is to identify the possible cause of the thirst and provide your dog with enough drinking water.
Always err on the side of caution and seek medical attention so that the veterinarian can rule out any illness and also offer treatment when required.