Thrive Pet Healthcare veterinarian explains what can affect water intake and when an unexplained change calls for veterinary care
AUSTIN, Texas (Aug. 6, 2026) — Late summer can bring lingering heat, travel and outdoor activity that can affect how much water pets need. Changes in drinking habits can also point to illness, making it important for dog and cat owners to know what’s normal for their pet.
Dogs and cats get water by drinking and through the food they eat. Pets fed canned, fresh-cooked or other moisture-rich foods may drink less from a bowl than pets that eat dry food. A change in diet, water bowl, daily routine or access to another water source can also affect how much an owner sees a pet drink.
“The amount of water your dog or cat drinks can vary from day to day, but you should pay attention when the pattern changes without an obvious reason,” said Dr. Tony Coronado, vice president of emergency medicine at Thrive Pet Healthcare. “If the diet, activity, water source and routine have stayed the same, an unexplained increase or decrease in drinking should be discussed with your veterinarian as soon as possible.”
What should dog owners watch for?
Walks, play, travel and time outdoors can increase a dog’s need for water. Prolonged exercise and panting can contribute to fluid loss and electrolyte changes.
Owners should bring water when going out with their dog, offer regular breaks and avoid waiting until the dog appears thirsty. A dog that drinks quickly after activity may simply be replacing lost fluids. Drinking should gradually return to its usual pattern after the dog rests and cools down.
“The amount your dog drinks after activity matters less than how quickly your dog returns to its normal behavior,” Dr. Coronado said. “If your dog continues panting, cannot keep water down or develops a lasting change in thirst, you should contact your veterinarian.”
Panting that continues after a dog rests in a cool place may mean the dog is still having trouble cooling down. Vomiting after drinking is concerning because the dog cannot retain the fluid it needs. Drinking much more or less than usual without a change in activity, diet or access to water may also signal a medical problem.
What should cat owners watch for?
Cats can be harder to monitor because many drink small amounts throughout the day. Their food can also provide part of their daily water intake. A cat eating canned or another moisture-rich diet may visit the water bowl less often than a cat eating dry food.
Some cats prefer moving water or particular bowl shapes and locations. A new fountain, a bowl moved to another room or access to a sink, bathtub or another pet’s water can change how much drinking an owner observes.
The litter box may offer useful clues. Smaller or fewer urine clumps can mean a cat is taking in less water or producing less urine. Larger or more frequent clumps, especially with increased thirst, may point to a medical condition that needs evaluation.
“Cats often hide signs of illness, so small changes in their daily patterns matter,” Dr. Coronado said. “If your cat begins drinking or urinating differently, stops eating, hides more or becomes less active, it should be examined by your veterinarian.”
When should changes in drinking concern pet owners?
Before calling the veterinarian, pet owners should consider whether anything has recently changed, including:
The pet’s food or feeding routine
The type, number or location of water bowls
Access to fountains, faucets, toilets or outdoor water
Exercise, travel or time spent outside
Weather and indoor temperature
Medications or supplements
If none of these factors explain the change, dog and cat owners should contact their veterinarian as soon as possible. Drinking much more than usual can be associated with kidney, hormonal or metabolic disease. Drinking less or refusing water can accompany nausea, pain, dental problems or other illness.
Other signs that warrant veterinary attention include changes in urination, dry or sticky gums, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, weakness, hiding or reduced activity. These signs are concerning because they may indicate dehydration or an underlying condition affecting the pet’s ability to take in, retain or process water.
A pet needs immediate veterinary care if it has trouble breathing, collapses, cannot stand, has seizures, becomes confused or does not respond normally. Ongoing heavy panting in a resting dog or open-mouth breathing in a cat also requires prompt attention.
“Pet owners don’t need to measure every ounce their pet drinks,” Coronado said. “They should know their pet’s usual pattern and act when it changes without a clear explanation. Calling early gives the veterinary team a better chance to identify the cause before the pet becomes sicker.”
To find a Thrive Pet Healthcare location near you, including primary, specialty, urgent and emergency veterinary care, visit
thrivepetcare.com.
