A veterinarian’s advice on dealing with increased urination in dogs

Any change in your dog’s urination habits is a cause of concern. There are many underlying possibilities that may be causing your dog to feel like they have to urinate more than their usual. Dogs will drink more water and also pee more after strenuous exercise, but this should not last longer than a day or two.

In general, increased urination is not an emergency; however, some causes such as kidney disease can be very serious and potentially fatal if left untreated, so it is not advisable to ‘wait and see’ for long if your dog is peeing more. Always have fresh water available for your dog – taking away their water will not solve the problem and may make things worse.

Testing your dog’s urine, and possibly their blood, will allow your veterinarian to determine the cause of the increased frequency in urination and address it accordingly. Collect a urine sample (preferably first thing in the morning) and store it in the refrigerator.

As a dog owner, paying attention to details such as the color and smell of the urine, if your dog seems uncomfortable while urinating, and noting any other out-of-the-ordinary symptoms going on will help your veterinarian get to the bottom of the problem.