Skip to content

How Many Times Do Dogs Pee a Day?

A pet lover passionate about educating readers about animal health and care. Love reading studies and recent research.
Published on
Tuesday 12 July 2022
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
How Many Times Do Dogs Pee a Day?
This page may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Dogs like to mark their territories by peeing. Yet, sometimes dogs pee so often. That leads us to question, how many times a day should a dog pee? Well, it could be a medical condition or it might be normal after all.

How Many Times Do Dogs Pee A Day?

Each dog is unique and different aspects influence their peeing habits. That could be due to the amount of water intake or worse, health problems. Dr. Katherine Scott from Colorado said that some dogs pee based on their owner’s schedule. She also added that there’s no specific principle on how many times a dog should pee in a day.

Yet, Dr. Krista Magnifico stated that regular dogs urinate once every four to six hours. Well, that’s at least four to six times a day. According to her, other dogs even hold their bladder for 8 to 12 hours until their owner lets them out.

A typical adult dog may produce 20 to 40 ml of urine per kilogram of body weight daily, said Carl Osborne, DVM. However, the amount of urine can vary due to certain aspects.

For instance, a study stated that smaller dogs pee more compared to bigger dogs. Small dog breeds such as Daschunds and Yorkies are among those that pee often.   

On the contrary, various medical conditions affect the frequency and volume of urine. They are listed below.  

How Often Should a Puppy Pee?

As a dog’s age increases, so as its ability to hold its bladder. According to Amber LaRock, a Vet Tech, the number of times puppies pee is based on their age in months. For instance, a 1-month-old puppy needs to pee every hour. And, that goes on until the puppy is 9 months old.

Normal urine volume is calculated by 2ml per kilogram of body weight per hour. Say, your puppy is 3 months old, weighing 4kg. That means it will pee at least 8ml per hour. Well, that’s how often dogs need to pee.

Meanwhile, puppies need to go out or else they will leak the floor. Yet, potty training is the solution. The Humane Society listed some ways how to potty train puppies.

  • Schedule the walks
  • Pick a comfortable spot outside
  • If not possible, provide a potty area indoors or in the yard
  • Reward puppies after peeing
  • Choose a fixed feeding and water schedule

How Often Should Senior Dogs Pee?

Adult dogs normally pee every 6 to 8 hours a day whereas puppies do it more often, said Catherine Ashe, DVM. Yet, the time dogs often pee should not be neglected. 

Normal senior dogs urinate every 4 to 6 hours daily. To sum it up, that is at least 6 to 4 times of regular peeing every day. However, as dogs get older, their bladders get weaker.  

Increased leaking accidents can be a result of underlying problems. According to Calder Vets, senior dogs are more prone to incontinence.

Urinary incontinence in senior dogs can be a cause of underlying medical conditions. It is a possibility that they have an infection, says Dr. Jason Nicholas, from Preventive Vet.

Andrea Simonson DVM listed the conditions that lead to incontinence of a senior dog.

  • Weakened bladder
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Kidney failure
  • Urinary bladder stones

Why My Dog Does Not Urinate Enough?

A normal dog pees many times a day. But, if your dog doesn’t urinate that much then it probably has serious health conditions. To find out, read the reasons below.   

Dehydration

It’s normal for all animals to lose body fluids. Yet, when it’s too much they get dehydrated.

Based on the North Central Veterinary Emergency Center, dehydration is dangerous. It causes dogs to lose their body electrolytes. Also, canines with dehydration could have dark concentrated or very little urine output.

Urinary Stones

Dogs need to pee often but a condition such as having urinary stones can prevent it.

Tammy Hunter and Ernest Ward, both DVM stated that bladder stones cause urine obstruction. Thus, if not treated, may rupture the bladder. Other visible signs of urinary stones involve hematuria and dysuria.

Urinary Tract Infection

Based on the Animal Hospital of Clemons, an estimate of 27% of dogs suffers from UTIs.

A dog that has UTI feels the urge to pee but nothing comes out.  Also, according to Sharon Marx, DVM, dogs that hold their urine for longer periods are prone to UTIs.

Excitement or Distraction

According to Jenna Stregowski, a licensed veterinarian, dogs pee when they feel excited. Yet, that only happens to dogs under 1 year of age.

Meanwhile, Sam Kabbel a pet behaviorist, stated that distraction combats excitement. He added that dogs need training as a distraction from involuntary peeing.

When Is The Time To Take Your Dog to the Vet?

A dog should often urinate if it drinks lots of fluid. Meanwhile, if it has proper water intake but could not pass urine, then something is wrong. Read the signs below to know when to take your dog to the vet.

Straining

Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club stated that straining involves difficulty in urinating. It’s a sign that dogs need serious medical attention. 

Moreover, Maddie’s Pet Forum said that lethargy coupled with blood in urine is a warning sign to go to the vet. 

Discomfort

Does your dog whine during peeing sessions? If yes, then your dog may have a urinary blockage.

According to Germantown Parkway Animal Hospital, whimpering is a sign that a dog has discomfort. Hence, it means that the canine could have bladder issues, urinary tract infections, or worse kidney failure.

Smelly Urine

Some dogs do pee often and it’s okay. But, if the smell is a little bit off, then something could be wrong.

According to Dr. Patrick Mahaney, foul-smelling urine could mean a bacterial urinary infection. Hence, if you notice the odor, go to the nearest veterinary clinic available.

Dribbling Urine

Some dogs experience urine leaking due to bladder, brain, and even spinal cord defects. However, senior dogs are more prone to this.

College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU stated that Vulvovaginal stenosis causes urine dribbling. Moreover, Chris Vanderhoof, DVM stated that kidney problems also cause urine leakage.

How dogs often urinate depends on certain factors such as water intake, age, and size. Peeing a lot does not always mean that dogs have a serious illness. Yet, as owners, we must be vigilant. If a potty-trained dog suddenly has leaking accidents, then it’s best to visit a veterinarian.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *