Having a puppy can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also comes with some challenges — like trying to figure out why your new pup is peeing so much! Seriously, the little guy is like a pee machine! Is that normal?
It is normal for puppies to pee a lot, but peeing too frequently can also be a sign of a medical issue or another problem. Plus, it’s important to understand normal puppy peeing habits when you’re house-training them.
If you're wondering what's normal for puppies and how to housetrain them, keep on reading. Today we’ll be talking about puppy pee, potty training tips, and when you should discuss your puppy’s peeing habits with your vet.
How Much Pee Is Normal For a Puppy?
When it comes to potty time for puppies, it's important to remember that they're still learning and don't have full control over their bladder yet. In general, a puppy should pee about every 2-4 hours depending on age, size, and the amount of water they've had.
The younger the pup, the more frequently they will pee and you can follow a general rule of thumb equally one hour for every month of age. So a one-month-old pup will pee every hour but a six-month-old should be capable of holding it for six.
Of course, individual factors vary. Smaller dogs can generally hold their pee for shorter time periods than larger dogs etc.
Also, while an older dog can drink a bowl of water and then go to sleep for 6 hours without peeing, a puppy needs to pee within 10-30 minutes after eating or drinking. Always give your puppy a chance to go to the bathroom shortly after you feed him or notice that he’s taking a nice long drink.
However, if you notice your pup is going more often than normal or appears uncomfortable when doing so — this might be a sign of an underlying health issue or excessive stress. It's best to contact your vet if you suspect anything out of the ordinary with your pup's potty habits.
In addition to how frequently they go, keep in mind that young pups tend to produce small amounts of urine at a time which can add up quickly throughout the day. This means that even if they make frequent trips outside, accidents will happen!
To help avoid any messes while house training, provide designated areas for your puppy around the house. Though outdoors is ideal, they always need free access to someplace they can go pee. Otherwise, they’ll just pick and spot and go!
House Training Tips
House training your pup can be a challenge, especially when it comes to figuring out the best way to do it. One of the most important things you can do is establish a routine for potty time. It’s easier for a pup to hold it when he knows that you’ll be letting him out soon.
So take your pup outside at regular intervals that he can count on. Reward liberally with treats or lots of praise when he goes potty in the right spot!
Additionally, limit your pup’s access to certain areas of the house until they understand where they're supposed to go. This will help avoid any accidents in difficult-to-clean places.
Finally, make sure you give your pup plenty of playtime and exercise. This helps stimulate their bladder and bowels so they'll need fewer bathroom breaks throughout the day.
When to Talk to a Vet
As we mentioned, pups generally can hold it for one hour times their age in months. So a five-month-old puppy should be able to hold it for five hours. If he can’t, and is frequently peeing every hour or two, there may be something wrong.
There are a few things that could be causing your dog’s discomfort. He may have a urinary tract infection or bladder stones, which can be life-threatening.
Another possible cause is that your dog is diabetic. While diabetes is not curable, it is manageable. But you need to be aware of the proper way to feed your diabetic dog to help them control their blood sugar.
Even though there are some obvious signs that can indicate when it's time to contact a vet, don't forget that regular check-ups are just as important. Taking your pup in for annual wellness exams will help ensure they stay healthy and happy!
Plus having an established relationship with your veterinarian can make dealing with future issues much easier. They'll already have knowledge about your pet's history and habits.
What to Watch Out For
What if your vet rules out a medical issue, but your pup still seems to be peeing more frequently than he should? There are a few reasons this can happen and, thankfully, most are easily manageable, it's just a matter of knowing how to spot them.
1. Weather Changes
Cold temperatures signal your dog’s body to filter more water out of the blood for warmth. This may cause your dog to pee more frequently.
Alternatively, dogs will naturally drink more water in hot weather, though some of the excess water evaporates as they are panting.
However, dogs that go in and out frequently may drink more water as they get hot outside but not use it up panting because they come back into your air-conditioned home. This could fuel a more frequent need to pee.
2. Seeking Attention
Some dogs pee for attention. Even if you’re yelling at them for having an accident in your house, at least you’re paying attention to them.
Make sure your pup is getting frequent snuggles and play sessions so they don’t feel neglected. Remember that individual dogs are different and some dogs will require more bonding time than others. You may feel like your pup is getting plenty of attention but your pup may not agree.
3. A Need for More Consistent Training
Sometimes frequent peeing or accidents in the house are simply a matter of poor training. Puppies need consistent access to an appropriate pee area. If they aren’t getting that, frequent peeing or messes tend to be the result.
Furthermore, harsh training methods can also contribute to the problem. Dogs respond better to positive reinforcement for good behavior as opposed to being punished for bad behavior.
4. Anxiety
Ever heard of submissive urination? It’s a fancy term experts use when dogs pee because of being scared, shy, excited, or anxious. This happens a lot with puppies who were separated from their mothers too early — though any dog can struggle with anxiety.
Give your dog a safe space in your home where he can go when he’s feeling overwhelmed. This may be a comfy doggie bed by your favorite chair in the living room or tucked away in the laundry room where he can escape for a few minutes. Some dogs appreciate the closeness of a crate or special hiding spot.
Beyond that, you should try to find the source of your dog’s anxiety. If you’re able to remove the source or comfort his fears, life will be easier for both you and your precious pup!
Proper Puppy Peeing
Overall, it's important to keep an eye on how much pee your puppy is producing each day. When house training, be sure to stay consistent with potty breaks and appropriate reinforcement techniques.
If you identify any changes in how often they're going or any strange symptoms related to urination, don't hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian immediately.
For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
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