How much should my dog urinate?

May 11, 16

How much should my dog urinate?

Do I need an indoor pet potty?  This is a question that is asked of us daily.  A dogs urinary health is a critical key to their good health and long happy life.  So how much does the average dog urinate?  And if you are considering a Piddle Place, we ask you to first consider your pets urinary health.

 

According to Cesar Millan, the frequency that dog urinate vary do to age, sex, size and health. Smaller breeds and younger dogs need to urinate more frequently than larger breeds and older dog. The average healthy dog will produce approximately 10 to 20 ml of urine (3/4 of an ounce) for each pound of body weight per day. Ideally adult dogs should be allowed to relieve themselves at least 3-6 times a day.  So if your dog is 10 lbs, that dog urinates 8 oz or a cup of urine each day and to drink enough to remain hydrated.  A smaller the dog, the smaller the bladder, and the need to relieve themselves a bit more often

To avoid bladder infections, dogs should be given plenty of opportunities to relieve themselves, since holding dog urine for prolonged periods of time has been linked with increased incidence of urinary tract infections and urinary stones. It has also been suggested that it may predispose to certain urinary cancers due to prolonged contact between carcinogens in the urine and the cells of the urinary tract.

Remember to ask your veterinarian to include a urinalysis as part of your dog’s annual physical and monitor their urinary activities Always keep an eye out for signs of a possible urinary tract infection such as an increased urge to urinate, having “accidents” indoors, acting painful or uncomfortable during urination and blood or pus in the urine. As always seek out veterinary attention if you notice any significant changes in your dog’s urination habits.

Here are some dog urinary diseases and symptoms that you need to keep in mind:

Urolithiasis is a urinary tract disease in which crystals or stones form within the urinary tract and cause irritation, pain and possibly blockage.

Urinary bladder stones are collections of mineral crystals that combine together to form a stone in the bladder. Less often, stones may also form in the kidneys. The pH of your dog’s urine affects the development of the crystals that cause these bladder stones. The most common type of stone/crystal is struvite, and these tend to form in alkaline urine.

What causes urinary bladder stones?  Well there is no single cause of bladder stones and urinary tract disease, veterinarians say there are things that contribute disease.

Factors, that increase your fur baby’s likelihood of having a problem include:

  • Gender: Both males and females get the disease with equal frequency, but males have a greater risk of life-threatening urethral obstruction from stones becoming caught in the urethra.
  • Infection: Bacterial infection of the bladder, causing alkaline urine, is the main cause of stone formation, so allow your pet to urinate often as needed.  If you can’t always be home to walk your dog, or weather does not allow for a walk, remember that puppy pads and indoor pet potties like the Piddle Place solve this problem and make your pet more comfortable.
  • Low water intake: Not taking in enough water leads to more concentrated urine, which may increase the likelihood of stones forming. Your dog should always have a clean bowl of fresh water available within reach.
  • Food: The food you feed your dog is extremely important in keeping them healthy.
    Feeding the wrong kind of food can cause urolithiasis. High levels of certain minerals in dog food can increase the chance of crystal formation in urine. Magnesium and phosphate are mineral components of the most common crystal type struvite. Don’t feed a dog food with excessive amounts of these minerals. The dog food your dog eats also influences urine acidity (pH). This may encourage certain stones to form, so it’s important to feed a dog food that supports bladder health.
  • Breed Predisposition: Small breed dogs are more susceptible than large breed dogs. Also, certain dog breeds, such as miniature schnauzers, Dalmatians, Yorkshire terriers and bulldogs, are more prone to develop urinary bladder stones.
  • Other contributing factors can be lack of exercise, inability to urinate frequently (typical in a confined indoor dog), or reduced water intake.  People that contact us often comment that their dog can “hold it” for hours.  The fact that your dog may be able to hold their bladder for hours does not mean they should be forced to do so.  Consider allowing them the same comfort and dignity that we humans enjoy.
  • Another question I also hear a few times a week is from customers that want to purchase an indoor pet potty like our Piddle Place because their dog relieves themselves all over the house when they are at work.  My first question is does this dog have a urinary problem or bladder stones?  The answer is not to offer the dog less water.  If your dog has urinary problems, he may be very uncomfortable. It’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately for a complete examination if you notice any of the following common signs below.
    • Straining when urinating
    • Blood in urine
    • Licking the genital area
    • Incontinence or an inability to control urination
    • Decreased urine flow
    • Frequent attempts to urinate
    • Reduced appetite
    • Lack of energy or interest in normal activities
  • With these signs being absent, the comfort of an indoor pet potty may be a welcome relief for both you and your pet.