How Often Do Dogs Need to Pee? Should I Walk My Dog More Often?

Looks like you are wondering if your dog has a secret pact with the neighborhood fire hydrants. Either that or if your dog is a part of some secret mission and keeps marking every spot possible to leave a trace behind. Whatever it is, we understand why you’re thinking that. 

Dogs seem to have an uncanny ability to turn a simple bathroom break into a full-fledged sniffing expedition. It's like they’re on a quest for the perfect spot, evaluating each blade of grass to find the perfect one to pee on. But sometimes, it feels like the criteria for a perfect blade isn’t much because they seem to find one every 1-2 hours. So, what really is a normal frequency for peeing for dogs? 

Dogs have a bladder that needs to be emptied just like us humans. However, the frequency of peeing in dogs can vary depending on factors like size, age, health conditions, diet, etc. It is typically seen that adult dogs need to pee 3-5 times a day. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, may need to go more frequently than that. ⁽¹⁾

The base logic here is the smaller the size of the bladder, the more frequent the peeing and vice versa. Dogs like Chihuahua, for example, have bladders the size of a teacup that need to be emptied more frequently (how long do you think that little pup can keep it in?). Big dogs like the Great Dane have bladders the size of a coffee mug which take more time to fill and hence lower pee breaks. 

Young puppies also tend to have less bladder control than the adult ones. And, as they grow older, bladder control again seems to decrease (talk about similarities between dogs and humans). When young, puppies may pee every hour. The frequency may reduce as they grow. Usually, you’ll see a pup peeing as they wake up from sleeping, after every meal and every drink, and usually after or during play or a game. ⁽¹⁾

Moreover, being overweight or obese can also cause a dog to pee more than normal. Some medications and health conditions like diabetes also influence the peeing frequency in dogs. 

Is It Normal for a Dog to Only Pee Twice a Day?

Normally, an adult dog must pee at least 3-5 times a day. As a parent, it is advised to let them out every 5-6 hours to avoid accidents in the house. If your dog is peeing only twice a day, it may be because they are not getting enough water, especially after eating a dry meal or enough physical stimulation. You must make sure your dog is not dehydrated. 

Overall, peeing twice a day isn’t really a problem for your dog. If there are no signs of dehydration, and your dog is eating and sleeping well, then there is no reason to worry as such. It is usually when your dog constantly needs to pee is when you should suspect something wrong with the kidney. ⁽²⁾

Can a Dog Go 24 Hours Without Peeing?

An adult dog can actually go 10-15 hours without peeing. The reasons for this may be dehydration, stress or anxiety. Irrespective of the reason, it is not a good sign for your dog to go 24 hours without peeing. 

When Should I Worry if My Dog Hasn’t Peed?

Your dog not peeing for a long time isn’t realty a good thing. Here’s what you need to do in case you notice your dog hasn’t been relieving themselves recently – 

This is to be treated as an emergency and a vet must be consulted at the earliest. 

Is It Bad for Dogs to Hold Pee Overnight?

Some dogs do tend to hold their pee for 10-12 hours at night, especially when their owners are not home and there is no one to take them out. They also may not feel the need to pee so much if they’ve just been lying around the house without much physical activity. 

Whatever the reason, if a dog is made to hold pee overnight, it could severely harm their urinary health. So, do not try to make it a regular thing. Dogs usually tend to pee before going to bed and after waking up from sleep. If your dog has not been following this routine, there may be an underlying issue that needs to be checked. ⁽³⁾

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Medical conditions like urinary tract or bladder infections, crystals, or kidney stones are not uncommon in dogs. They can affect any breed of any age. And the treatment for these conditions can be prolonged at times leaving a dent in your savings. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of the treatment costs. With Spot Pet, you can save many more costs. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!