How Often Do Dogs Need To Pee

Do you ever wonder how often do dogs need to pee? If so, you’re not alone. Figuring out how often dogs need to go potty can be confusing, especially if you’re new to dog ownership.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about dog bathroom breaks, including how often dogs really need to pee, 8 factors that affect your dog’s frequency of peeing, and common urinary complications every dog owner should know.

Let’s begin…

How Often Do Dogs Need To Pee – Short Answer

Dogs generally need to pee between 3-5 times a day. Vets recommend taking your dog out after every meal, after playing and exercising, and once during the night. Long gaps between peeing are not healthy for dogs and can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other complications.

A dog should go no longer than 6-8 hours without peeing.

How Long Can Your Dog Hold His Bladder? 

This answer really depends on the size and breed of your dog. Smaller dogs can typically hold it in for longer periods of time than larger dogs. Toy breeds may only be able to hold their bladder for 1-2 hours, while a large dog may be able to go 8-10 hours without having to pee.

Risks Of Holding Pee For Too Long (And When Should You Call The Vet)

There are risks to both holding your dog’s bladder for too long. It can cause urinary tract infection (UTI) and other health complications.

UTIs are the most common complication of holding in your dog’s pee, but other issues can include bladder stones and incontinence.

If your dog starts exhibiting any of the following symptoms, you should contact your vet as soon as possible:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Blood in urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain when urinating

What To Do If Your Dog Is NOT Peeing Enough

If you’re concerned that your dog isn’t peeing enough, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot.

First, make sure your dog is drinking enough water. Dehydration can cause your dog to drink less and subsequently decrease the amount of urine they produce.

Secondly, make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A lack of activity can also lead to a decrease in urine production.

Thirdly, make sure your dog is eating a healthy diet. Dogs that eat poorly often have trouble digesting their food, which can lead to a decrease in urine production.

Lastly, you may want to consider taking your dog to the vet for a check-up. There could be an underlying health issue causing your dog to not pee as much as they should.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Peeing Excessively

If your dog is peeing excessively, the first thing you should do is take him to the vet. Dogs can develop diseases or health conditions that can cause them to release urine more often than normal. 

If your dog does not have a health condition, there are still some things you can do to help him stop peeing so much.

One thing you can do is to increase the amount of water your dog drinks. Dogs who drink more water will usually pee less. You can also try to create a regular potty schedule for your dog.

When you establish a routine, your dog will know when it is time to pee and he will be more likely to hold it in until he gets to the bathroom or designated potty area.

Next, it could be their age. Senior dogs are more likely to pee more often because their bladders are not as strong as they used to be. If your dog is a senior, you may want to consider getting him a litter box so he can go potty in the comfort of his own home.

Your dog may be overweight. If your dog is carrying around a few extra pounds it is likely they will wee more often. Give them regular exercise to try and shed some pounds.

Lastly, it may be a side effect of the medication they are on. If your dog is on any type of medication, it is important to talk to your vet about whether or not it could be causing them to pee more.

8 Factors That Affect The Frequency Of Your Dog’s Peeing 

#1 – Diet

A diet high in water and fiber can help your dog to pee less often. Conversely, a diet high in salt or other additives can make dogs release urine more frequently. When dogs are overweight, their organs don’t function as well as they should and this can include their bladder.

#2 – Age

Older dogs are more likely to have to pee more often than younger dogs. This is because as we age our bladders lose some of their function.

#3 – Size

Large dogs have larger bladders and therefore will usually pee less often than small dogs.

#4 – Breed

Some breeds of dogs are just more prone to peeing more often than others. For example, smaller dogs like the Yorkie and Bichon Frise have much smaller bladders than a German Shepherd, thus, they will have to go more often.

#5 – Medications

If your dog is on medication, it is important to ask your vet if it could be causing them to pee more often. Some medications can cause these side effects.

#6 – Water Intake

If your dog drinks a lot of water, it will pee more often. Conversely, if they don’t drink a lot of water, they will pee less often.

#7 – Potty Training

During potty training, dogs can often get anxious and stressed. This can cause them to pee more often.

#8 – Medical Conditions

Dogs can develop diseases or health conditions such as diabetes or bladder infections that can cause them to release urine more often than normal. If your dog is peeing excessively, the first thing you should do is take him to the vet.

How To Cater To Older Dog’s Urinary Habits – The Right Way

First, it’s important to create a regular potty schedule for your dog. This will give them a routine to follow and they will be less likely to have accidents in the house. 

Next, you may want to consider getting a litter box for your dog. This way, if they need to go and you’re not home, they can go in the box instead of on the floor. 

Older dogs often have to go more frequently and may not be able to hold it in for as long as they used to.

It’s also important that you let them outside more frequently. If they have to wait too long, they may not be able to hold it.

Lastly, monitor their water intake. If they are drinking a lot of water, they will need to go more often.

Most Common Urinary Complications You Should Know

There are a few urinary complications that are more common in dogs than others. These include: 

Blood In Urine

If you see blood in your dog’s urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or even cancer. If you see blood in your dog’s urine, take them to the vet immediately. 

Incontinence

Incontinence is when a dog leaks urine involuntarily. This can be caused by a number of things including infection, injury, old age, or even anxiety. If your dog is incontinent, talk to your vet about ways to help them. 

Difficulty To Urinate

If your dog is having difficulty urinating, it could be a sign of blockage. This is a medical emergency and you should take your dog to the vet immediately. 

Different Urine Color

If your dog’s urine is a different color than usual, it could be a sign of an infection or disease. If your dog’s urine is cloudy or has a strong odor, this could also be a sign of an infection.

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Conclusion

As you can see, many factors play into how often dogs need to urinate. It’s important to be aware of these factors so you can cater to your dog’s needs and avoid any accidents or health complications.

From diet and age to size and breed, they all affect a dog’s urinary habits. As a pet parent, the best thing you can do is stay vigilant and take note of any changes in your dog’s potty habits. If anything seems out of the ordinary, make an appointment with your veterinarian. 

How often does your dog pee?