Do You Know How Long Can A Dog Go Without Peeing?

Author WDF Staff | Last updated: Dec 28 2023

Most new and first-time dog owners often ask us this question – “How long can a dog go without peeing?” Of course, they don't want to catch their puppy pee in the house as an accident. Puppies and adult dogs will have different needs, and puppies will have a smaller bladder resulting in more potty breaks.

Your dog will love having a schedule, and accidents can happen if that schedule is interrupted. There could be a situation where you will not make it home immediately after your job, and you might be wondering – “Will my dog be able to hold his pee?”

How often should dogs pee?

Often, this question will pop out when your dog needs to be left alone at home. No one wants to come back home and notice that the accident did happen to their dog. Few things will determine how often should dogs pee, but in general, every 6-8 hours, your dog will have to pee to maintain his health. This is why it is generally accepted that you should take your dog outside at least 3 times a day.

How often will dogs need to pee will depend on a few factors

Dog breed
Dog age
Dog size
Diet
How much did he drink
Health problems

You should always take care of your dog's needs because if he doesn't get the ability to pee regularly, you can expect more urinary health problems to arise.

IMPORTANT: Puppies and senior dogs will need to pee more often since they cannot hold pee as much as adult dogs. Puppies will have much smaller bladders, while senior dogs will have to pee more often because of their age, just like humans do.

How long can a dog go without peeing?

Dogs can hold pee much longer than 6-8 hours, and in the case of an emergency, don't be surprised when you learn that dogs can hold their pee for 10-15 hours.

But of course, you shouldn't test this. You should always allow your dog to pee at normal times. If you train your dog, he may be able to hold pee longer, which will certainly, affect his health.

Why your dog needs a potty routine?

There are many reasons why you need to establish some rules with your dog – including setting a regular potty routine.

Here are a few of them:

1. Preventing accidents

When your dog has a set routine for his potty, you can be sure that the possibility of accidents is fully reduced. When you bring your new puppy home, you will have to put in extra effort for him to understand and learn when and where it is all right to pee.

dog pee in house

2. Preventing diseases

Dogs that don't have a potty routine have a high chance of getting some urinary health-related problems. If you provide your dog will enough daily walk and opportunities to pee, you can be sure that his bladder and the urinary system will work fine and that the possibility of him getting ill will be reduced.

3. Noticing health problems

If you know and understand your dog's potty needs, you can easily understand and notice if anything is wrong. That way, you can be sure that you will address the problem that is bothering your dog right away, and if your dog receives medical attention, there is a greater chance that he will fully recover.

What could be a reason why my dog frequently urinates?

Frequent urination in dogs will indicate that something is bothering your dog. There could be a lot of medical reasons why this problem can occur, and some of them include

Kidney problems
Liver problems
Diabetes
Age
Tumors
Usage of medications
Hormonal problems
Polyuria

If you notice that your dog started to pee more often, you should take this seriously and contact your vet. If no other symptoms indicate some health concern, your vet will do a physical exam to determine what is causing problems for your dog.

dog pee in house

Health problems connected to holding pee to be long

Every dog should have a regular potty routine to maintain health. Although dogs can hold their pee for longer periods, we advise you to always provide your dog with the opportunity to go to the bathroom.

If dogs constantly hold their pee for long periods, some health problems can arise, and they include

UTI – urinary tract infection
Urinary cancer
Incontinence

If you notice that your dog is experiencing any urinary issues, you should contact your vet to get your dog on the right treatment. These urinary problems will not go away on their own, and your dog will need proper medical treatment.

When to worry about your dog's peeing?

Whenever you notice some strange patterns in your dog's potty routine, you should be prepared and watch for any other symptoms that can indicate that something is bothering your dog.

There could be a situation where your dog will drink more water, and if your dog pee more, in this situation you don't have to worry. When a dog is experiencing some health-related problems, you will be able to notice it, since this will not be a one-time thing. Your dog will show this problem until they are properly treated.

World Dog Finder team

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