Why does older dog drink its own urine? Simple reasons and helpful tips

Okay, so here's the deal. My old dog, Max, started doing this weird thing. He's like, 13 now, which is ancient in dog years, and all of a sudden he's drinking his own pee. Seriously, the first time I saw it, I almost choked on my coffee.

Naturally, I freaked out. My first thought was, "Oh crap, he's dying." So, like any responsible dog owner in the 21st century, I hit up Google. Typed in "why does older dog drink its own urine" and prepared for the worst.

The internet, of course, gave me a million different answers. Some said it was a behavioral thing, like boredom or anxiety. Others pointed to potential medical problems, like kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing's disease. Basically, everything short of alien abduction.

I figured I couldn't diagnose him myself (I'm not Dr. Doolittle), so I booked an appointment with our vet, Dr. Lee. She's seen Max since he was a pup, so she knows his history. I explained the pee-drinking situation, and she gave Max a thorough check-up. Blood tests, urine samples, the whole shebang.

Turns out, Max's kidney function was a little off. Not terrible, but definitely not where it should be. Dr. Lee explained that as dogs age, their kidneys can start to deteriorate, which can lead to increased thirst and dehydration. And if they're really thirsty, they might resort to drinking... well, anything.

She also mentioned that sometimes older dogs develop cognitive dysfunction, basically doggy dementia. This can cause them to forget their house training or develop other odd behaviors, like, you guessed it, drinking their own pee. But thankfully, Max seemed pretty sharp otherwise, so she didn't think that was the main issue.

So, what did we do? Dr. Lee recommended a few things. First, she put Max on a special kidney-friendly diet. It's lower in protein and phosphorus, which can help ease the strain on his kidneys. Second, she told me to make sure he always has plenty of fresh water available. Like, multiple bowls around the house. And third, she suggested increasing his potty breaks, so he doesn't feel the urge to pee indoors.

I also started keeping a closer eye on him when he's outside. If I see him starting to sniff around his pee, I distract him with a toy or a treat. Anything to break his focus.

It's been a few weeks now, and I'm happy to say Max's pee-drinking habit has decreased significantly. He still does it occasionally, but it's not nearly as frequent as it was before. The diet and the extra water seem to be helping a lot.

It's tough seeing your best friend get old. But I'm glad we caught this early and were able to address it. If you have an older dog who's suddenly developed some weird habits, don't ignore it. Get them checked out by a vet. It could be a sign of something serious.

Here's a quick recap of what I learned:

• Pee-drinking in older dogs can be a sign of kidney problems or other medical issues.
• A vet visit is essential to rule out any underlying health conditions.
• Kidney-friendly diets and increased water intake can help.
• Distraction and supervision can prevent the behavior.

Hope this helps someone else out there!