The effects of hydration, dehydration and osmotic diuresis on the activity distribution of bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals have been studied in an experimental mouse system. It was found that any change of the water balance impairs the activity distribution of the radiolabelled phosphonate in the potential bone scintigraphic image. The findings suggest that in order to maintain image quality, elderly patients should not be instructed to drink a large volume of fluid after the administration of a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical. Further investigations, though, have to be performed in humans.