How often should dogs pee?

Updated 28/11/2023

How often should dogs pee? Good question! And one all pooch parents should have an idea about. When asking how often dogs need to pee, it’s important to remember that every dog is different. Alongside their age and breed, lifestyle factors contribute to how frequently a pup will need a tinkle.

The amount of times a dog piddles during the day can also be a key sign of underlying health conditions. So, it’s always vital you pay close attention to your dog’s toilet time. So, with that in mind, let’s find out how often do dogs have to pee.

How often should a dog pee?

Every dog is different, so every dog has its wee-wee schedule. But, according to Dr. Kristy Conn, “Ideally adult dogs should be allowed outside to relieve themselves at least 3-5 times a day.” These should be spaced every six to eight hours in a day. This is an average amount of times and it will also depend on your routine as a pet parent.

Typically, smaller dog breeds will need to pee more often than larger dog breeds. However, there are signs of excessive peeing in dogs can be a sign of issues including kidney problems or a urinary tract infection (UTI) if they suddenly start to urinate more frequently.

What does it mean when my dog tries to pee for a long time?

If your pooch begins to take a longer bathroom break than they usually do, this is another sign of urinary problems in dogs. You will usually see male dogs cocking their legs for a long time but producing very little wee during that motion, or female dogs squatting for a long time without the usual volume of urine production. This is often accompanied by lots of little attempts at voiding the bladder or frequent urges to go for a wee.

One of the most common causes of struggling to urinate is a urinary tract infection (UTI) or one of many different bladder infections. Although dogs of any age can develop UTIs, it is most common amongst older dogs. Females are more likely to suffer with UTI’s than males and so are those with underlying health issues such as diabetes, bladder or kidney disorders or those prone to developing bladder stones. 

Is my puppy urinating frequently enough?

For those who have cared for baby snuffle monsters, you’ll know puppies pee a lot. As their baby bladders are still developing, it only takes 15 minutes after eating or drinking for a puppy to need to pee. Being young, they are also not able to hold their urine in as easily as adult dogs, so precautions need to be taken.

Make sure your puppy's designated area at home has plenty of pee pads around, particularly at night. When you first introduce a pup to your family, you may need to take them out every hour or so. This isn’t just to protect your floors, it’s to start a toilet training routine and teach them that outside is where the bathroom is. 

We have some great tips in our puppy training guide for first-time pup parents, or those looking to brush up on their training skills.

How often should senior dogs need a tinkle?

Older dogs must be thought of as wise puppies when it comes to doggy weeing time. Although they understand their business must be done outside, they have less ability to hold their bladders in comparison to younger adult dogs. Because of this, these old-timers should be let out more often - around every four to six hours - but this will depend on the dog's weight, breed, medical history, and gender.

Some senior dogs may have mobility issues, so being prepared with pee pads could help in the case of an accident. Pay close attention to any clues or cues your older pooch may give you to make sure you make it outside in plenty of time.

Possible health issues behind a dog peeing excessively

If you notice your dog peeing excessively, or more so than other dogs, this isn’t always a cause for concern. However, if this behavior suddenly starts happening, they’re unable to hold their urine in, or you notice blood in the urine, that’s when you need to call the vet.

These symptoms can be a sign of a variety of health conditions, including:

• Bladder infections
• Kidney disease
• Bladder stones
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Signs of distress or anxiety

If you’re ever worried about your dog, or you notice a change in their behavior, you must contact your vet straight away. For Standard or Premium TrustedHousesitters members, you have access to our free 24/7 Vet Advice Line to help answer any pet questions you may have.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lily

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion.