If you own a dog, you may have wondered How long can dogs hold their pee? Knowing how long dogs can hold their pee can help you better care for them and stave against health issues, whether you are traveling with your dog, are away from home for an extended period of time, or are just interested about their bladder capacity.
Holding pee means keeping it in the bladder until it is released. Dogs go through this procedure every day, and it is natural and typical. Yet, keeping pee for as a long time can be bad and unhealthy for dogs.[1]
The amount of time that dogs can keep their pee varies on a couple of factors, including their age, size, breed, health, nutrition, and surroundings.
In this article, we will answer some common questions about how long can dogs hold their pee, what are the risks of holding pee for too long, and how to help your dog hold their pee for a healthy amount of time.
Contents
How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Pee on Average?
Depending on their size, degree of activity, and general health, adult dogs may hold onto their feces for an average of 6 to 8 hours. Puppies need to use the restroom more regularly even though they can hold onto their urine for around an hour each month of age.
A dog that is two months old, for example, may retain urine for around two hours. These numbers might alter based on the circumstances and individual attributes.
While some dogs may need to urinate more regularly than others, some could be able to hold onto their pee for longer. The following factors might affect how long dogs can hold their pee:
Age
Older dogs may have weaker bladder muscles or urinary incontinence that make them unable to hold their pee for long. They may also have health issues such as diabetes or kidney disease that increase their urine production and frequency. Senior dogs may need to go every 3 or 4 hours.
Size
Larger dogs have bigger bladders and can hold more urine than smaller dogs. However, this does not mean that they should hold their pee for longer than necessary. Larger dogs may also drink more water and produce more urine than smaller dogs.
Breed
Some breeds may have genetic predispositions or anatomical differences that affect their bladder capacity or urinary function.[2]
For example, brachycephalic breeds (such as pugs or bulldogs) may have narrower urethras that make them prone to urinary infections or blockages.
Some breeds may also have behavioral tendencies such as marking or submissive urination that make them pee more often.
Health
PubMed says that, dogs with health problems such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, or prostate problems may have difficulty holding their pee or need to go more often.
They may also show signs of pain, blood in urine, straining, dribbling, or frequent licking of the genital area. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Some examples of normal and abnormal peeing frequency and duration for dogs are:
- Normal: An adult dog pees 3 to 5 times a day, each time lasting about 10 to 20 seconds. A puppy pees 10 to 20 times a day, each time lasting about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Abnormal: An adult dog pees more than 6 times a day or less than once a day, each time lasting less than 5 seconds or more than 30 seconds. A puppy pees more than 25 times a day or less than 5 times a day, each time lasting less than 2 seconds or more than 15 seconds.
Risks of Holding Pee for Too Long?
Dogs urinate regularly and naturally as part of their daily routine. It assists them in maintaining fluid balance and helping their body get rid of waste and pollutants.
But, there must also be some measure of restriction and control while peeing. Dogs must be capable of storing their pee until they locate a suitable spot and an appropriate time to pee.
But how long can dogs hold their pee? And what are the consequences of holding pee for too long? We will answer these questions and explain what are the risks of holding pee for too long for dogs.
Cause Health Problems
Holding pee for too long can cause several health problems for dogs, such as:
1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs): When urine stays in the bladder for too long, it can create a favorable environment for bacteria to grow and cause infections.
UTIs can cause pain, inflammation, and irritation in the urinary tract, as well as blood in urine, foul-smelling urine, fever, and lethargy. UTIs can also spread to the kidneys and cause serious damage if left untreated.
2. Bladder stones: When urine stays in the bladder for too long, it can form crystals that can grow into stones.
Bladder stones[3] can cause pain, obstruction, and inflammation in the bladder, as well as blood in urine, straining, dribbling, and frequent urination.
Bladder stones may require surgery or medication to remove or dissolve them.
3. Kidney damage: When urine stays in the bladder for too long, it can increase the pressure and backflow of urine into the kidneys. This can damage the kidney tissues and impair their function.
Kidney damage can cause symptoms such as increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite. Kidney damage can be irreversible and life-threatening if left untreated.
Affecting Dog’s Behavior
Holding pee for too long can also affect the behavior and well-being of dogs, such as:
1. Anxiety: When dogs are forced to hold their pee for too long, they may feel anxious and stressed about finding a place to relieve themselves.
They may also develop negative associations with their crate or confinement area if they are not allowed to go out when they need to.
Anxiety can cause symptoms such as panting, pacing, whining, barking, chewing, digging, or escaping behaviors.
2. Discomfort: When dogs are forced to hold their pee for too long, they may feel uncomfortable and restless due to the pressure and pain in their bladder.
They may also have difficulty sleeping or relaxing if they are constantly worried about peeing. Discomfort can cause symptoms such as licking, scratching, shaking, or rubbing their genital area.
Some signs and symptoms of holding pee for too long that owners should look out for are:
1. Accidents: When dogs are forced to hold their pee for too long, they may have accidents in the house or in their crate due to the inability to control their bladder muscles or the urge to pee.
Accidents can be a sign of physical or behavioral problems that need to be addressed by a veterinarian or a trainer.
2. Changes in peeing habits: When dogs are forced to hold their pee for too long, they may change their peeing habits due to the adaptation of their bladder capacity or the avoidance of peeing situations.
Changes in peeing habits can include peeing less frequently but more volume, peeing more frequently but less volume, peeing in unusual places or times, or peeing with difficulty or hesitation.
Tips to Help Your Dog to Hold Their Pee
There are some tips and strategies to help your dog hold their pee for a healthy amount of time, such as:
1. Establishing a routine: Having a regular schedule for feeding, watering, exercising, and peeing can help your dog develop a consistent pattern of peeing and avoid holding pee for too long.
A routine can also help you anticipate when your dog needs to go and prevent accidents or emergencies.
2. Providing enough water: Keeping your dog well-hydrated is important for their overall health and urinary function. Providing enough water can help your dog flush out toxins and bacteria from their urinary tract and prevent infections or stones.
However, avoid giving your dog too much water right before bedtime or leaving them alone for a long time as this can increase their need to pee.
3. Using pee pads or diapers: If you have to leave your dog alone for a long time or if your dog has trouble holding their pee due to age or health issues, you can use pee pads or diapers to provide them with a safe and comfortable place to relieve themselves.
Pee pads or diapers can also help protect your furniture and floors from stains and odors. However, avoid relying on pee pads or diapers as a permanent solution as they can interfere with your dog’s potty training or hygiene.
4. Training your dog to signal when they need to go: Teaching your dog to communicate when they need to go can help you respond to their needs and avoid holding pee for too long.[4]
You can train your dog to signal when they need to go by using cues such as bells, words, gestures, or eye contact. You can also reward your dog with praise.
FAQs
How long can dogs hold their pee overnight?
Dogs can hold their pee overnight for 8 to 10 hours on average, but this may vary and cause health problems if done regularly.
Can dog hold pee 12 hours overnight?
Some dogs may be able to hold their pee for 12 hours overnight, but this is not advisable as it can be uncomfortable and harmful for them.
What happens if a dog holds her pee too long?
If a dog holds her pee too long, she may develop health problems such as infections, stones, kidney damage, and behavioral problems.
Can my dog hold pee for 24 hours?
No, your dog cannot hold pee for 24 hours. This is extremely unhealthy and dangerous for your dog. Holding pee for too long can cause serious health problems such as infections, stones.
Conclusion
In this article, We now understand How long can dogs hold their pee? for, what influences how often they pee, the consequences of keeping pee for too long, and how to encourage your dog to hold pee for a healthy period of time.
Dogs may hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours. For the sake of your dog’s wellbeing and pleasure, you should be aware of how long they can hold it and assist them in doing so in a healthy manner.
Infections, renal damage, kidney stones, accidents, infections, and behavioral issues that might lower your dog’s quality of life can also be avoided.
We hope you have found this article informative and useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you and your furry friend. Thank you for reading!
References:
- Neumann, S. (2020, October 1). Stability of canine urine samples under different storage conditions. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved June 9, 2023, from- NCBI
- PetMD Editorial. (2022). Posterior Displacement of the Bladder in Dogs.- PetMD
- Weishaupt, J. (2021, December 28). What to Know About Bladder and Kidney Stones in Dogs. WebMD. Retrieved June 10, 2023, from- WebMD
- Housetraining | Indoor Pet Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2023, from- OS University
Dania is a dog groomer living in California, who loves styling dogs. She often uses dog accessories to keep them distracted while grooming. She is also a dog parent to a Pomeranian, Duke. It’s because of him she is always on a lookout for the best dog foods, toys, other dog accessories, and ways to keep him equipped, healthy and happy.
