Mastiff

If your English mastiff has been drinking a lot of water recently, it is only normal for you to become concerned. This behavior is uncommon and can be a sign of underlying health issues. As doting owners, you would want to know how to redeem the situation. You would also want to get your beloved mastiff back to normal health as soon as possible. Lucky for you, you aren't the only mastiff owner who has experienced this issue. To help you manage the situation, we consulted health experts. We also spoke to mastiff owners whose dear mastiffs have suffered the same condition before. In this article, we will be discussing the common reasons why your mastiff may be drinking so much water. You'll learn the symptoms to look out for. And, we'll also share tips for mastiff owners on how to regulate water intake for their dear pets. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Beall/Flickr CC Why Is My English Mastiff Drinking So Much? As we mentioned earlier, excessive water intake is a possible sign of an underlying health issue. You may need to take your dog to the vet for a proper diagnosis. These dogs may drink a lot because they have developed kidney complications. It might even be diabetes. These conditions make it difficult for an English Mastiff to control their thirst. A change in environment could also trigger this excessive thirst. If the new weather is hotter than usual, the dog might consume excessive amounts of water. This is the only way they can stay hydrated. If this is the case, you must ensure that the water they consume is clean and fresh. Else, they would develop further complications along the line. It is important to find out the exact illness early so that your dogs can get back to normal health soon enough. Symptoms Of Excessive Water Consumption Increased urination Increased urination is bound to happen sooner or later. Your pet's bladder isn't strong enough to handle the water it consumes. Sometimes, they would pee in small amounts. Other times, they pee in larger quantities. Weight gain The excessive water that they consume would cause them to appear fat and chubby. Most times, it is the underlying illness that triggers this weight gain. Obesity can be quite dangerous for dogs if not addressed. It's more dangerous if the dogs are young or fragile. Bloated stomach Stomach bloating happens when these dogs consume too much water. When this happens, all their internal organs would suffer the consequences. What's The Solution for The Situation? A professional vet is an ideal person to handle the situation. They can diagnose the underlying issues that trigger the incessant thirst. They can also help to curb the symptoms while the drugs take effect in the dog's system. There are also ways you can help your precious pet manage the symptoms at home. You should regulate the amount of water your pets consume. Cut off their water supply if possible. You can be rest assured that they won't die from thirst. Photo Credit: Claudio Gennari/Flickr CC Health Risks Associated with Excessive Water Consumption When you fail to take your English Mastiff to the vet, they would continue to quench their thirst the only way they know how. Excessive water intake can develop further health complications for your beloved mastiff. Here are some of these complications: Kidney failure Underlying kidney complications are a trigger for excessive water intake. If left untreated, it would spiral into kidney failure. When a dog's kidney fails, there would be a buildup of dangerous toxins in its system. If you do not treat them early, your dog may die. Liver disease Excessive water intake can put a strain on the mastiff's liver. This would lead to liver damage. At this point, the dog would experience decreased appetite. It would also begin to shed all the weight it acquired from the excess water intake. Gastrointestinal problems are a core symptom of liver failure in an English Mastiff. Liver diseases, if left untreated, can cause your dog depression. It sucks the life out of your pet. Diabetes If your dog keeps consuming too much water, they are at a high risk of diabetes. Diabetes in dogs affects their ability to control blood sugar levels. It can become dangerous if left untreated. Urinary tract infection Unlike humans, dogs do not need to have intercourse with carriers of UTI before they contract it. An excessive intake of water can trigger the generation of UTIs in their system. This infection can cause intense pain and discomfort for your dear mastiff. Do them a favor- immediately you notice excessive water intake, take them down to the vet. Photo Credit: Radovan Rohovsky/Wikimedia Commons CC How To Control Water Consumption In Your English Mastiff Use these handy tips for owners as guidelines for regulating your English mastiff's water intake: Ensure that the water they consume is fresh and clean at all times. If possible, replace the water after close intervals. Be in charge of the water bowl. Do not give them complete access to it. Track the rate at which they urinate. Do not feed them food that leaves them parched. Give them more water when the weather gets hotter. Take your pets to the vet for regular checkups. If you have Pitbulls or American bullies, you can apply the same hydration routines for them as well. Conclusion Keeping your English mastiff healthy is top on the priority list of everyone who owns one. Your pet may begin to develop any new character that seems strange. When this happens, your vet should be the first person that comes to mind. With this article, we are certain you will be able to handle the excessive water intake of your mastiff. Also Read: Bringing a Pet Fish into a Home with Dogs