My male lab drinks a LOT of water. He always has. We've tried leaving lots of water down all the time, trying to restrict it (put some down for them then picking it up after everyone has had some), changing foods, changing the way I feed them... What has worked the best has been moistening his Blue Buffalo in water when I feed him so he doesn't throw up like he used to later (kibbles in water 30 minutes after eating after he has tried to drink a half gallon of water). He will drink tons then puke or hack up spit and water then go back and drink more water. If I am home I will tell him enough after he's drank for 15 seconds or so. Often after the other two have had there drinks or I have left the room he will go back for more. Unfortunately I am gone at work long hours and my husband is tired of policing the water bowl and cleaning up his vomit. He's threatening to get rid of my dog. Can anyone help or give suggestions?

Doesn't appear to be urinary infections etc. as this is a long term issue, no pain seems to be involved, he can hold it fine, vet answers well some dogs just drink a lot...

The vet did tests?

Blood glucose for diabetes? Blood work for kidney failure, hypercalcemia, Cushings disease?

Do you also know about psychogenic polydypsia? How old is he?

You know, I thought later: I think I have read that young Labs are over-represented in dogs with psychogenic polydypsia. (And in general that young dogs are more prone to it.)

Doesn't mean that I'd assume it without ruling out more likely ailments as above, though. Especially because hypothyroidism, for example, is also common in Labs.

" .... some dogs just drink a lot" is not at all sufficient from the vet, IMO, unless all the (possibly quite serious) health reasons have actually been tested for and ruled out.

How much water is too much water per day? Is there a weight/breed/water ratio rule?

Not that I am aware of Simon... (but I could definitely be wrong). I think it would change with the temperatures, amount of exercise, diet, etc... (When I switched to RAW my dogs began drinking less water than they did when on kibble). However, anytime a dog drinks so much water on a regular basis that it causes him to vomit - THAT is not normal and needs medical attention/diagnosis.

Sigma turned 5 last May. He's about 65lbs. On lazy days where he doesn't wake up thirsty and we are all hang out inside there is usually not a problem. After he is wrestling with the girls and gets thirsty he will go drink half a bowl of water go back and wrestle more then hack it up. Or if he drinks nearly the entire bowl he can go do calm things like lay in his crate or at my feet then cough it up again. He kinda reminds me of like when a hungry kid goes to a pizza buffet then eats too much and feels sick afterward. If it was every day then I would be sure it was a health problem that the vet wasn't testing for, but it is just most days. Oh, and when I say bowl, it is an 18" diameter large, plastic salad bowl. Seems to keep water off the floor better than any for dog bowl I've bought. I had told the vet that I was giving him portioned water because he would drink any that I provided and the vet said that once he got used to there being water all the time that he'd grow out of it, which it did to a small extent but we still go through the drink--play with me?--barf water on you cycle. Vet didn't seem interested in doing tests. Maybe because what he coughs up is clear not yellow bile like if he gets in the trash?

It might be time to speak with another vet.

I'd certainly try another vet, you can never be too careful... Blood work is a MUST IMO, especially after the age of 5 when some age related problems can start surfacing in larger breeds. Every 6 months is a general guideline for healthy senior dogs- more often if they are on NSAID's, or thyroid meds, etc.

I had an older Rott/Shep (14 yrs old, slightly senile) who had food and inhalent allergies, amongst some other health problems- but he would also guzzle water to the point of vomiting. Just didn't seem to know when to quit. Overall his water intake was within the guidelines our vet gave us (which I've since lost)... but after serious health problems have been eliminated as the problem- he may just be one of 'those' dogs. We had to remind my old man 'enough' after a few seconds. Make him wait a couple minutes, and then let him go back. Annoying, but not as annoying as mopping up vomit-water all day!

Elizabeth,

Please read this article about hypercalcemia associated with a Blue Buffalo dog food.

I'm going to PM you with a link to this post, too, so you don't miss it; I know you will want to switch food immediately, and get the dog to the vet.

You were the first person I thought of when I read this troubling article.... immediately searched for your post and found that indeed, you mentioned Blue Buffalo.

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=16468

Thank you,Cindy, for forwarding the VIN News Service article.

I'll be reading that News Service regularly -- that's for sure!