So, Why Does My Doodle Dog Urinate So Much? You might have thought that after potty training, you would never have to think about your dog’s pee again. This may be something you don’t pay close attention to, if at all. Then one day, you find yourself thinking, “Is my dog suddenly urinating frequently?” This can be a great question to ask, and something every Doodle owner can monitor. You can tell a lot about a dog’s health through their toilet habits. Let’s talk about all the possible reasons your Doodle dog may be urinating more.
Before Starting
It is essential that while the internet can be a great source of information, none of it should be used to diagnose and treat your dog. There are many possible reasons that your dog could be peeing more frequently. If you ever have doubts or concerns, call your trusted veterinarian immediately. They are trained professionals that have tests and equipment needed for a full diagnosis.
What Is A Normal Frequency & Amount?
Your question is, “Why is my dog suddenly peeing a lot?” But, do you know what is considered a healthy amount for dogs? The average dog goes to the bathroom every 4-8 hours. Larger dogs have a larger bladder so that they can hold it longer than a small dog. So a full-grown adult dog should be able to hold their pee through the night and while you are at work.
Your puppy, on the other hand, will need more frequent potty breaks throughout the day. An excellent rule for puppies is that they need a potty break every hour per month of age. So if your puppy is only three months, he will only be able to hold his bladder for 3 hours. If he is going longer between potty breaks, this can give the illusion that he is peeing larger amounts. Giving him extra time outside taking care of business will help reduce the volume and chances of a bladder infection.
So, we have discussed how often they should be going, but what about amounts per potty? A dog should urinate 10-20 mL per pound a day. So a dog that is 10 lbs can pee anywhere from 100-200 mL per day. For a 10 pound dog, that is 6-12 tablespoons of pee throughout the day. Most of our Doodles are much larger than this, so it may seem like they are peeing a lot more.
On average, a dog of any size will need to have 3-5 potty breaks throughout the day. Does your dog pee more than this? Let’s next take a look at the urine itself.
What Should Normal Urine Look Like?
If your puppy is peeing a lot suddenly, you might want to take a look at his urine. If the urine looks normal, then the chances are that there is nothing medically wrong. But, what does normal urine look like?
Normal dog urine is clear to a light, bright yellow with a slight smell. It should not smell intense or dark yellow to brown as these can be a sign of dehydration or infection. Your dog should also never struggle to pee or be in pain. Should you notice any discomfort, this could be a sign of something more serious. If you ever see any blood in the urine, this can be signs of severe illness or disease, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
If your Doodle has been drinking a lot of water, chances are their pee is very clear. This is from being very hydrated and not having a strong concentration of urates. But, if your dog has not been consuming large amounts of water and their pee is clear, it is best to be checked by a vet. Clear urine could mean the kidneys are not filtering urates, and the build-up can cause renal failure.
Causes Of Frequent Urination
Now that we have discussed the frequency and appearance, let’s look at why is your Doodle dog urinating more.
Drinking More Than Usual
The first reason your Doodle may be peeing more than usual is that he is drinking more. Your Doodle should be drinking one ounce of water per pound of body weight. But, your dog could be drinking more for several reasons like:
- Increase in activity level
- Overheated
- Increase in thirst due to medications
- underlying medical conditions
In cases such as an increase in activity, it is only natural that your dog will drink and pee more. This will go away, though by the time regular activity is resumed. If your dog is overheated, he may even drink more water to cool down. Since Doodles have thick hair, it is best to keep them inside during the hot summer months.
If your dog is on medications, you may want to look at all side effects. Some medications can cause frequent urination or increased water intake. If this is the case, you may want to talk to your vet about switching medications if it becomes too much. But if your dog seems fine, and the urination isn’t a problem, switching may be unnecessary.
If none of these possible reasons explain the increase in urination, it may be time to look at Doodle Dog urinating warnings.
- Bladder infections
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Renal failure
- And diabetes
While all of these can cause more frequent urination, the only way to get tested is by a veterinarian. Certain Doodles can be prone to getting these diseases, so it is vital to take them seriously. The sooner you can get a diagnosis; the faster your Doodle will start feeling better.
At these appointments, they may ask questions about the frequency, look, and smell of the urine. The vet may even ask for a urine sample or extract one through a needle. Testing the urine and blood can give a great indicator if any levels are off.
A quick diagnosis also increases the chances of them living a long and healthy life.
There is a saying for people that goes, “We begin the world in diapers, and leave it the same way.” The same can be true for dogs. Dogs who are younger pee in smaller amounts throughout the day. And older dogs can’t hold their pee as long as they used to. They can even start to have accidents in the house, leading to incontinence.
If your puppy seems to pee a lot, monitor how much they are drinking and how often they pee. If they are within normal ranges, more potty breaks may be needed until they mature. At any sign that there may be something wrong, contact your vet for proper care and diagnosis.
Older dogs who develop incontinence need to be seen by a vet. While sometimes this is normal behavior with age, it can also be a sign of illness. If the vet finds nothing medically wrong, he may prescribe medications to help. They also make lovely pet diapers for throughout the night or when you are at work to prevent accidents.
Do Dogs Pee Out Of Spite?
For some pet owners, you may have exhausted all efforts as to why your dog pees so much. It can disrupt your life if you are regularly cleaning up accidents and taking your dog for potty breaks. You may be wondering if our dog is peeing out of spite.
Rest assured that dogs do not pee in the house just to spite you. If your dog is peeing in the house, there is more of a psychological problem. Your Doodle could be peeing to mark their territory. In this case, you would want to make sure all pets are spayed or neutered first. Then you will want to get a special cleaner that will prevent marking in the house.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, your Doodle could be peeing out of submission. Using positive reinforcement will help your dog understand that you are not trying to dominate them, as this causes the submissive behavior. Never yell or hit your dog for bad behavior because this will increase the accidents.
Your Doodle could also be urinating out of stress or anxiety. Evaluating your home situation may all that needs to be done. If your dog spends a lot of time at home, get them out of the house more often for walks and activities. Doodles also love mental stimulation, so adding a daily training session or puzzles to their routine can help perk them up.
Doodles are also very in tune with our emotions. They sense when things are not right, and that can also stress them out. Take some time every day and reassure them that things are ok. Remember that they thrive off our interactions and approval, and you can use this to your advantage.
In Conclusion
Your puppy peeing a lot suddenly should never be taken lightly. While there are lots of signs that your dog is ok, there are signs that they may not be. You should always evaluate your Doodle dog urinating warnings, and make an appointment for them ASAP. It is better to be safe than sorry. The faster you can get your dog treatment, the faster their recovery will be.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
