Why Is My Dog Peeing So Much? (12 Causes of Frequent Urination in Dogs)

Dog owners are concerned a lot about their canines’ toilet habits and spend a lot of time taking their dogs outside for bathroom breaks. One of the major worries dog owners have is more frequent urination in dogs, leading to a dog peeing in the house. Conversely, a dog not passing urine is also worrisome for dog owners, making them wonder how long a dog can go without passing urine.

However, in this article, we will be discussing the underlying causes of dogs peeing so much.   

In a normal environment, a dog should normally produce around 20 to 40 ml per kg of body weight per day. To release this pee, a dog would need around three to five toilet breaks with a window of six to eight hours in between. Anything more than that would be considered too much for your dog, indicating there is something wrong with your dog. Similarly, dogs’ urine color also has a lot to say about their health.

What Causes Frequent Urination in Dogs?

Frequent urination in dogs is mostly a sign of renal failure, increased cortisol production by adrenal glands, diabetes, urinary tract infections, urethral blockage, low urethral pressure, ectopic urethra, hypothyroidism, polydipsia, etc.

1. Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

It occurs when the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol, causing a significant increase in thirst and urination in dogs. Sitting atop the kidneys, any abnormality in the adrenal glands can put the urinary system in dogs at risk. If not managed in time, the disease can risk a dog’s life.

Signs Drinking too much water Increased appetite Lethargy Excessive panting even at night Hair loss Skin issues

Solutions Surgery Long-time management

2. Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

Dogs suffering from diabetes mellitus are unable to produce enough insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. To control the blood sugar level, the dog’s body may produce extra urine, leading to frequent urination in the dog.

Excessive thirst can also ensue, causing a dog to drink more water and pee even more. Due to the presence of excessive glucose in the bloodstream, the kidneys have to overwork to filter and absorb it.

Signs Weight loss and weakness Decreased appetite Cloudy eye Lethargy Chronic infections

Solutions Insulin injections Proper management

3. Ectopic Ureters in Dogs

Ectopic ureter is the most common congenital anomaly that causes urinary incontinence in dogs – loss of bladder control, frequent urination, and peeing in the house.

It is an anatomical shortcoming that leads to the dislocation of ureters. Consequently, dogs having this issue might face urine leakages often. Moreover, female dogs are also more susceptible to having such defects – the female-to-male ratio with this disease is 20 to one.

Signs Frequent licking of the genital area Urine drops oozing out regularly Sometimes straining to urinate

Solutions Open abdominal surgery for the relocation of the ureters Laser surgery

4. Electrolyte Disturbance in Dogs

Losing too much water can lead to electrolyte disturbances in dogs. This can lead to frequent urination. Usually, the main reasons are diarrhea, heavy sweating, burns, and certain medications. Though there are several types of electrolyte imbalances in dogs, hyponatremia – the most severe one – can land your pooch in the hospital.

Signs Lethargy and weakness Increased thirst Irregular heartbeat Changes in blood pressure

Solutions Use of intravenous fluids Phosphate ions

5. Excessive Consumption of Water (Polydipsia)

The more water a dog drinks, the more he will pee. Polydipsia is quite common in dogs, and there is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, there could be some serious conditions such as cancer and liver diseases underlying polydipsia in dogs.

Signs Weakness Nausea and vomiting

Solutions Restrict water availability Contact a vet

6. Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Malfunctioning of the thyroid gland can lead to unexplained weight gain, skin issues, frequent urination, and several other severe problems in dogs. However, fortunately, the problem is manageable, and the dogs that get good treatment can live fully up to their life expectancy.

Signs Fast breathing after exercise Vomiting and diarrhea Obesity Lethargy Dull coat and formation of various pigments

Solutions Use of thyroid replacement hormones Iodine, zinc, and selenium supplements

7. Urinary Infections in Dogs

There is a whole bunch of infections that can cause frequent urination in dogs. Several inflammations associated with infections lead to such a condition. For instance, if the prostate in male dogs becomes inflamed due to infection, it may block the urinary tract, causing less urine to pass, and the dog might always feel the urge to relieve himself. Likewise, urinary tract infection (UTI), more common in female dogs, causes the bladder to swell and get irritated, making dogs pee more often.

Signs straining to peeBlood in urine Dribbling urine Dog’s constant attention toward the genital area Fever Abdominal discomfort

Solutions Drinking more water to flush out the bacteria Taking antibiotics Hospitalization in severe cases

8. Low Urethral Closure Pressure in Dogs

Due to several neurological issues and intervertebral disc diseases, the urethral pressure in canines might decrease. The affected dog will either face dribbling or might need to pee when there is even a slight amount of urine in the bladder. Several causes, such as spinal cord injury or various brain-related diseases, can lead to such conditions. 

Signs Paralysis Balance issues Abnormal movements Seizures Urine dribbling

Solutions Neurological exam Surgery

9. Senility in Dogs

As dogs become old, their abdominal muscles weaken, leading to incontinence and frequent urination. Though both sexes face the issue, female dogs are more susceptible because their bladder and neck control deteriorate much faster. Other than simply losing muscle strength, reduced immunity and being more prone to infections can also lead to senility in dogs.

Signs Wet patches on the places where the dog sits Frequently dampened legs The constant smell of urine around the dog

Solutions Using dog diapers Checking for and rectifying any possible disease

10.  Spaying or Neutering

Due to the fluctuation in hormone levels, dogs can face incontinence leading to frequent urination for some time after the surgery. Though this issue is more common in female dogs, male dogs might also get affected. But as the dog learns to control his muscles and nerves around the bladder during recovery, the problem eventually disappears.

Signs Discomfort and disturbance Behavioral changes Bad odor in the urine Licking of the genital area

Solutions Daily medication Self-recovery

11.  Territory Marking in Dogs

Your dog might be spraying urine in different locations to mark them as his territory, giving you a false signal that he is peeing more often. If you have brought a new pet home, your dog, particularly male, will try to mark his territory by peeing in most places. If you try to remove it and clean the smell, he might come over again to redo the job. If that is the case, there is nothing to worry about, and the behavior will go away after some days.

Signs Dog urine is present in a lot of places Horizontal objects are targeted more Conflict with other pets Being intact (not neutered)

Solutions Neutering or spaying Reduce dog stress

12.  Urethral Blockage

The urinary tract can get blocked for several reasons. With a blocked urethra, a dog will strain to pee. There might be no increase in urine production, but given that the dog may pee more often – passing only a few drops each time. A common cause of urethral blockage is bladder and kidney stones. Stone formation is common in dogs; all dogs, regardless of sex, develop such a condition at a certain stage.

Signs Straining without urinating Pain and lethargy Larger than normal bladder Urine drops keep coming out

Solutions Surgery Lithotripsy Medication

Which Dog Breeds Are More Prone to Urinary Issues?

When a dog urinates more often, 90 percent of the time, some kind of health issue in the urinary system is the culprit. And unfortunately, some dog breeds are more vulnerable to developing such problems.

• Boxer
• Border Collie
• Dalmatian
• Doberman Pinscher
• English Springer Spaniel
• German Shepherd
• Old English sheepdog
• Rottweiler
• Weimaraner

Final Words: What Causes Frequent Urination in Dogs?

Frequent urination in dogs is mostly caused by congenital abnormalities and neurological and renal issues. Congenital issues generally include diabetes, ectopic ureters, and increased cortisol production by adrenal glands. Renal and neurological issues like low urethral pressure and renal issues like stones and failing kidneys are often the underlying reasons for frequent urination in dogs.