Why Is My Pet Drinking More Water and Acting Restless?

Pets can’t tell us what’s wrong with words—but their habits speak volumes. Two of the most common concerns raised by attentive pet parents are:

“Why is my pet drinking or urinating more than usual?” and

“How much exercise and mental stimulation does my pet really need?”

Though these may seem unrelated, there’s a surprising connection between changes in hydration and your pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing. In this guide, we’ll unpack both questions using veterinary science, behavioural insights, and real-world wellness solutions—especially for anxious, high-energy, or neuro-sensitive pets.

🧪 Excessive Drinking or Urinating in Pets: What It Really Means

Is Increased Thirst Always a Red Flag?

If your dog or cat is suddenly drinking more water than usual, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Medically, this condition is known as polydipsia, and excessive urination is polyuria. While occasional variation in thirst is normal (especially on hot days or after exercise), a sustained increase could signal:

Kidney issues – such as chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Diabetes mellitus

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Cushing’s disease (more common in dogs)

Medication side effects, including steroids

Dietary changes, especially high-sodium foods

💡 Science Tip: A healthy dog typically drinks about 50–60 mL of water per kilogram of body weight per day. Cats usually drink less due to their desert ancestry, but indoor cats on dry kibble may increase water intake.

🚨 When to See a Vet

If you notice any of the following symptoms alongside increased thirst or urination, it’s time to consult your vet:

Lethargy or weakness

Sudden weight loss

Vomiting or diarrhoea

Restlessness at night

Accidents in the house despite being trained

Loss of appetite or excessive hunger

🔍 Pro Tip: Keep a diary or record of your pet’s water intake and urinary output for a few days. It’ll help your vet assess trends more accurately.

🧠 The Role of Mental Stimulation and Physical Activity

Could Boredom Be the Root Cause?

Believe it or not, boredom and anxiety can mimic medical symptoms. Pets—especially intelligent breeds like border collies, retrievers, and Siamese cats—may overdrink or pace restlessly when mentally under-stimulated or anxious.

Signs your pet may need more stimulation include:

Chewing on furniture or excessive licking

Night-time restlessness

Barking or whining for no clear reason

Digging, jumping fences, or escaping

Pacing, panting, or constant movement indoors

🌿 Solution: Provide enriching, low-stress environments with mentally engaging toys, calming scents, and routine interaction. Check out our Eco-Friendly Anxiety Relief Pet Essentials for vet-approved sensory tools that soothe and stimulate naturally.

🐕 How Much Exercise Does Your Pet Actually Need?

It varies by species, age, and breed—but here’s a general guideline:

Dogs

Breed Size Daily Physical Exercise Mental Stimulation Activities

Small (e.g., Pugs) 30–45 min walks or play Puzzle feeders, sniff walks

Medium (e.g., Spaniels) 45–90 min mix of play/walks Training games, hide-and-seek

Large (e.g., Labs) 90–120 min exercise Agility, obedience, toy rotation

🧠 Include "nosework" and slow-feeding tools to engage their mind. For anxious dogs, choose slow-paced walks in quiet areas or try calming chews before heading out.

Cats

Indoor cats need daily play sessions of at least 20–30 minutes

Use laser pointers, climbing trees, and rotating toys

Puzzle feeders and scent stimulation reduce boredom

Window perches or bird videos offer safe “hunting” visuals

🔄 Rotate toys every 2–3 days to keep novelty high. Introduce textures and scents using eco-friendly calming mats or enrichment blankets.

🌱 Eco-Friendly Anxiety Relief for Your Pet

At Tintin's Urban Utopia, we specialise in sustainable calming solutions designed to support your pet’s physical and emotional balance.

Our collection includes:

Snuffle Mats & Foraging Toys – Encourage natural hunting instincts and nosework

Weighted Blankets & Wraps – Provide gentle pressure therapy for dogs with anxiety

Aromatherapy Sprays – Use calming essential oils (lavender, chamomile) in pet-safe formulas

Lick Mats – Great for redirecting overdrinking behaviour into soothing licking patterns

Eco-Calm Chews – Vegan, vet-formulated treats to support stress relief naturally

🌎 All items are made with earth-conscious materials, because we care about pets and the planet.

🔄 How Exercise Affects Thirst and Urination

Did you know that active pets naturally drink more—and this is completely healthy?

What’s Normal:

Increased thirst after a long walk or vigorous play

Slightly diluted urine (lighter colour)

Urination frequency increases temporarily post-exercise

What’s Not Normal:

Drinking excessively when resting or overnight

Peeing indoors despite house training

Constant begging for water even after meals and play

🐾 If your pet’s thirst levels are tied to a rise in anxiety or hyperactivity, calming routines (not just exercise) are key. Try combining scent enrichment, calming spaces, and interactive feeders to build a holistic wellness plan.

🧩 Signs of a Well-Balanced Pet

✅ Calm, alert body posture

✅ Drinking moderate amounts with predictable urination

✅ Engages playfully during the day, rests at night

✅ Clear eyes, coat in good condition

✅ Shows interest in food, play, and affection

If your pet is drinking excessively but otherwise behaving normally, it could be a subtle signal that something in their environment or routine needs tweaking.

💚 Final Thoughts: Connect Hydration, Stimulation, and Stress Relief

By tuning into your pet’s hydration, exercise, and behaviour patterns, you’re not just solving surface-level issues—you’re building a foundation of health and trust.

Whether your dog is anxious and pacing at night, or your cat seems lethargic but thirsty, the answer might lie in offering more targeted mental stimulation and comfort tools.

Visit Tintin's Urban Utopia for:

Pet-safe enrichment toys

Eco-conscious calming tools

Vet-informed wellness essentials

…to help your fur baby live a balanced, joyful life.