In addition to bringing you information about why dogs can’t wait to urinate, this blog post also answers some of the most frequently asked questions, such as How long can dogs hold their pee? How many times do dogs pee a day? How long can a dog hold their pee if its bladder overnight? Etc.
We’ll begin by looking at some of the frequently asked questions before we discuss the main topic:
How long can dogs hold their pee?
Adult dogs can hold their urine for up to 12 hours if necessary, but that does not mean they should. It is important to allow dogs to relieve themselves at least three to five times a day. A dog should relieve himself at least every eight hours.
The answer to how long can dogs hold their pee depends on several factors.
Size of the bladder – The size of the dog’s bladder makes a difference. Puppies have smaller bladders and are less able to control their bladder muscles than adult dogs. Puppies, who are still learning to control their bladder and bowels, need to eliminate more often than older dogs, and eliminating is not always on schedule. A puppy needs to go potty every few hours, but an adult dog can hold it for a good number of hours.
Age of the dog – Older dogs have more problems with incontinence and leaking urine, so they will urinate more frequently than younger adults. Older, spayed females are especially prone to this problem.
Health issues – If your dog is suffering from health issues such as diabetes or kidney disease, he may be unable to hold his urine as long as he normally could.
If you notice that your pet is having accidents in the house or that he is urinating more frequently than normal, it could be a sign of a medical condition, and you need to consult with your veterinarian.
Read here: 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is Constantly Sneezing
What happens if a dog holds his pee too long?
When you have a dog, it can be hard to hear them whine when they need to go out. But you’ll be more likely to respond if you know what happens if a dog holds his pee too long.
When you are in the middle of something, it can be hard to get up and take your dog out for his bathroom break. But it is important to do so as soon as possible. It is not good for your pet to hold his urine in any longer than he has to. So what happens if a dog holds his pee too long?
Kidney Damage
One of the biggest concerns with letting your pet hold his urine for too long is that it could lead to serious kidney damage. Your pet’s kidneys are responsible for removing waste from their body in the form of urine. If that urine does not make its way out of their body, those wastes will start backing up inside them, which can lead to permanent damage. This is why it’s so important to make sure your pet gets outside at least every 8 hours.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
One thing that often happens is urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are quite common in dogs — especially female ones. UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urethra, which is the tube that leads from your dog’s bladder to his or her penis or vulva. These bacteria make their way up into the urethra and start multiplying, causing an infection.
How long can small dogs hold their pee?
Younger dogs and smaller breeds will typically urinate more often than older dogs and larger breeds. Dogs produce approximately ten to twenty ml of urine per pound of body weight per day. If possible, adult dogs should be able to go outside at least 3-5 times per day to relieve themselves.
What Makes Your Dog Urinate Too Often?
It is possible that your dog is suffering from an illness or that he has a urinary tract infection. If your dog is having problems urinating, you should investigate the issue and make an appointment with your veterinarian. Only an experienced vet can help you determine whether or not there may be a medical reason for this behavior. In this article, we are going to go over the most common reasons why your dog can’t wait to urinate.
Even the most well-trained dogs can have occasional accidents, but if your dog has become more and more incontinent, try to understand what’s causing it.
Here are some of the reasons why your dog can’t wait to urinate:
Illness
If you notice that your dog is incontinent and it keeps getting worse, it may be a sign of illness. Some dogs may not be able to hold their urine because of urinary tract infections or diabetes. Both serious illnesses can cause your dog to urinate more often or lose control of his bladder completely. If you notice these symptoms, take him to the vet right away.
You can read again from start: How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Pee
Lack of Training
Sometimes, a lack of training can cause a dog to become incontinent. If your pet is still a puppy, he may not know how to control his bladder yet; this is especially true if he’s a big breed that matures slowly. Make sure you train him while he’s still young, so he doesn’t develop bad habits.
Old Age
Old age can also be a reason why your dog can’t wait to urinate; as dog’s age, their body functions start weakening, including their bladders.
Stress
In both dogs and humans, stress can have a direct effect on the bladder. If your dog is generally anxious or has recently been through a trauma, such as a moving house, being rehomed, or being introduced to a new pet, it could be the cause.
Old age
When dogs reach old age, their muscles lose strength and can no longer control their bladder, as well as in their younger days. This is common in all mammals as we get older.
Hormonal imbalances
This can account for around 40% of all cases of urinary incontinence and is more common in entire females than neutered females. The body produces the hormone oestrogen, which helps to support the muscles in the urethra, so if the body does not produce enough oestrogen (usually due to being spayed), then these muscles are weakened, and this leads to incontinence.
Other medical conditions
There are many other possible causes, including kidney disease, diabetes, or even some types of cancer.
Urinary tract infections
These affect the lower part of the urinary tract, which is composed of the bladder and urethra. This is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. If your dog is frequently squatting, straining while urinating, or passing small amounts of urine, he may have a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections can cause inflammation and irritation in the bladder and urethra, making it difficult for your dog to hold his urine. Urinary tract infections are common in female dogs because their short urethras make it easy for bacteria to travel up into the bladder. Urine samples can be sent to the lab to confirm if this is the case.
Urinary stones
These are crystals that form in the urine. They can vary in size from small to large and can cause blockages in the bladder and urethra. If left untreated, a blockage can become life-threatening as it prevents a dog from being able to expel waste products from their body. As such, immediate veterinary attention is vital if you suspect your dog may have urinary stones.
If your dog has large crystals or stones in his bladder, he may feel an urgent need to urinate as his bladder fills with urine. The crystals irritate the lining of the bladder, causing increased frequency and urgency in urination. Your veterinarian may recommend x-rays or ultrasound imaging to determine if this is an issue. If your dog has a history of urinary stones, you may be able to provide him with a specialized diet that will help prevent crystals and stones from forming.
How do these stones form?
Urinary stones can form for a number of reasons, including poor diet, dehydration, and urinary tract infections. They can also be due to congenital or hereditary conditions such as hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels). These stones can become lodged in the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) and cause partial or complete blockage. Signs include frequent attempts to urinate, bloody urine, increased thirst, and lethargy.
Kidney disease is often seen in older dogs as the kidneys slowly lose function over time. Signs may not be seen until 75 percent of kidney function is lost. They include increased drinking and urination (due to kidney failure) as well
Kidney disease
The kidneys play an important role in filtering waste products from the blood and regulating water retention in your dog’s body. If they aren’t working properly, this can lead to frequent urination as well as other symptoms such as drinking more water than usual, weight loss, and lethargy.
In kidney disease, the kidneys lose their ability to filter toxins from your dog’s blood—and this can affect how much they pee. In later stages of the condition, it’s common for dogs with kidney disease to urinate excessively and frequently.