Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the body loses its ability to concentrate urine properly, leading to the production of large volumes of very dilute urine. This happens either because the brain does not produce enough of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), or because the kidneys do not respond to it as they should. It is unrelated to diabetes mellitus, the more commonly known form of diabetes that involves blood sugar. Owners often notice their dog or cat drinking far more water than usual and urinating much more frequently, sometimes with accidents indoors or overnight. The urine itself tends to be very pale and watery. These patterns can develop quite suddenly or build gradually, and they may raise questions about kidney disease, behavioural change, or other metabolic conditions. This page explores the signals that may point towards diabetes insipidus, what is happening inside the body to cause them, how the condition is investigated and distinguished from other causes of increased thirst, and the approaches that exist for managing it over time.