Did you know that frequent urination in dogs can be a symptom of several diseases? And you thought it was just an annoying habit your pet had developed, especially when he heads for the water bowl as soon as he comes back in.

Don't be frustrated. Learn the causes of a dog urinating frequently, and find out what to do about it.

How Much Water Should A Dog Drink?

A healthy canine should be drinking about three or four cups a water a day for every 20 pounds of body weight. That doesn't sound like a lot, but if your dog weighs 80 pounds, this means he can drink up to four quarts of water a day! This is a gallon of water per day for a large dog.

Still worried he's drinking too much? Measure out a set amount of water and leave it out for him in a bowl. Be sure the toilet lid is closed so he can't sneak a slurp from it when you aren't looking. At the end of the day, measure the amount of water that's left, and subtract it from what you started with. Repeat this for several days to get a more accurate idea of his water consumption.

If this experiment shows that he's really drinking more water than he should, you need to take him to the vet.

Why Would A Dog Drink Too Much Water?

Well, obviously he's thirsty. But what would make him THAT thirsy?  

Your vet calls excessive thirst "polydipsia." This leads to "polyuria," which is another word for excessive urination.  

Polydipsia and polyuria can indicate that your dog has a serious problem, including:

• Canine diabetes
• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Pyometra, or an infection of the uterus (often seen in older unspayed females)
• High blood calcium levels
• Pituitary gland problems
• Cushing's disease

The problem may also be something as easy to treat as a canine urinary tract infection. But you won't know for sure until you take your pet to the vet for a check-up.

Prevent Canine Urinary Problems With Natural Remedies For Dogs

People in many different cultures across the world have been using herbs for centuries to prevent and treat bladder problems, and to support the immune system. Can you use herbal remedies on dogs?

The answer is yes. You'll want to choose a remedy that's formulated especially for pets, not people. Be sure to deal with a company that's known for producing the highest-quality pet remedies.  

If frequent urination in dogs has become a problem for your pet, now you understand why he needs to see the vet as soon as possible.