Are you a new dog owner, and are you planning to go on a vacation for a few days? Or are you a working person and you are worried sick about how long you can leave your pet alone? If so, it is important to understand how long your dog can stay without having a potty break to make the necessary adjustments. This will also help to reduce accidents in case your dog is not fully potty trained or you arrive home a little later than usual.
The following chart gives a breakdown of how long dogs hold their pee:
Age of the dog Hours before a potty break
Less than 6 months 1-3 hours
More than 6 months 2-6 hours
1-7 years 6-8 hours
8-10 years 4-6 hours
10+ years 2-4 hours
All dogs are different; some may be able to go longer than others without relieving themselves. Puppies can’t hold pee as long as adults, whereas older dogs of 7+ years may only be able to hold their urine for between 2 and 4 hours.
Ideally, a dog shouldn’t go for more than 6 hours without peeing. This amounts to going out 4- 8 times a day on average.
Factors Impacting How Often a Dog Pees
1. Age
Younger dogs that are not fully potty trained cannot hold their pee for as long as most adult dogs. This is because of their undersized and underdeveloped bladders.
Older dogs lose their muscle control as they age. This, together with inflammation and mobility limitations, contributes to more frequent bathroom needs.
2. Behavioral Issues
Dogs will pee more as they mark territory when seeking attention or due to excitement.
3. Size
Smaller dogs have smaller bladders than larger ones; hence, they have to urinate from time to time. Aldo, large dogs produce more urine as compared to small dogs.
4. Diet and Water Intake
How much a dog eats or drinks, and what it eats, impacts how often it will have to pee. When a dog drinks a lot, it will urinate more often.
Diets high in salt and fat make dogs drink more water, whereas dry diets such as kibble make your dog pee less. Also, those dogs that eat wet, canned, fresh, and raw diets urinate more.
5. Sex
Males urinate more than females, as they like to mark territory. Females hold pee longer than males.
6. Health Issues
Some dogs have medical conditions that affect how they control their bladder. Conditions such as bladder stones, diabetes, kidney diseases, obesity, urinary cancer and urinary tract infections can lead to increased urination
Have a vet examine your pet if it starts urinating more than normal, as it could be a symptom of medical issues that need to be addressed.
7. Environment
Dogs are sensitive and prefer to urinate on grass or dirt. However, your dog may refuse to urinate if it’s in a new place and it feels uncomfortable. Some may have an increased urge when afraid or excited.
8. Activity and Play
Being active can trigger the urge to urinate. Running, walking, and playing can stimulate your pet’s bladder.
9. Training
Training your dog to hold its pee while in the house helps prevent accidents. This also comes in handy if you are to leave your pet alone for some time. A dog will learn to hold its pee depending on how frequently you take it out for potty breaks.
10. Climate and Season
In hotter climates, dogs drink more water, which can lead to increased peeing. In cold climates or during winter, dogs take less water, which leads to decreased peeing
What Is the Longest a Dog Should Go Without Peeing?
The longest period a healthy dog can hold urine is between 10 and 12 hours. Such cases should not be repetitive and are to be allowed when necessary. Otherwise, a dog ought to be given regular potty breaks every 6 hours to relieve themselves, as holding pee for long has health implications for the dog.
So, can dogs hold their pee for 24 hours? No, dogs can not hold their pee for 24 hours. Depending on the age of your dog, a healthy, mature dog can hold pee comfortably for 12 hours, beyond which the dog will become uncomfortable.
What Happens If a Dog Holds His Pee Too Long?
Can a dog’s bladder burst when it holds pee for long? Or does holding pee hurt dogs? These are some of the questions that ring in most pet owner’s heads whenever they leave their pets alone for the first time.
Holding pee for long cannot lead to the bursting of a dog’s bladder, nor does it hurt; however, it can make your pet uncomfortable and can lead to health issues such as:
1. Urinary Cancer
By holding the pee for a long time, the carcinogens in the urine have an opportunity to interact with bladder cells longer, which can lead to the growth of cancer cells.
2. Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections
A lot of waste is carried out of the body in the urine. When your dog holds the urine for too long, it leads to the accumulation of bacteria and toxins, which can cause infections
3. Formation of Crystals and Stones
Holding urine for a long time can lead to brokerage as a result of an accumulation of waste. This can lead to difficulties in peeing or pain when urinating.
4. Urinary Incontinence
Repeated holding of urine damages muscles and can lead to leakage. This condition is irreversible and should be prevented as much as possible.
5. Discomfort
Holding urine puts extra strain on your dog’s urinary system, and it can impact normal functionality.
6. Behavioral Changes
When a dog holds urine more than normal, it can get stressed or irritated, which can result in barking and whining.
How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Bladder at Night?
Many dogs can hold pee for hours overnight. It’s normal to have a dog hold pee for 12 hours overnight, but this is the maximum for any healthy adult dog. The behavior should not be allowed during the day, as it can lead to health complications.
As dogs can hold their pee overnight for 6–8 hours on average, it’s advisable to give your dog regular breaks to pee. For puppies, a break every 5 hours is necessary; adult dogs need a break every 8–10 hours; and senior dogs are to be given regular breaks to prevent accidents.
When Should I Worry About My Dog Not Peeing?
Peeing less, holding pee for long, or having difficulty peeing in your dog should raise some concerns. A dog struggling to pee can be a result of bladder stones, causing obstruction and pain.
Less dark, yellow urine is also an indication of dehydration. If you notice this in your dog, you need to improve its hydration by giving it more water, wet food, or raw bones.
Related Articles
Why Does My Dog Pee on His Blanket? (Find Out Why & How to Stop It)
Why Does Dogs Shake Their Head? Causes and Solutions
Tilting Head Dog: Unlocking the Secrets Behind This Adorable Behavior
Can Choke Collars Hurt Dogs? What to Know About Choke Collars
Why Is My Dog Licking His Paws? (6 Possible Reasons Explained)