#every time my medication regimen gets interrupted I lose about six months of progress so I’m just trying to appreciate and plan

[tomato-greens]

literally every day I take my asthma medication and my body is like :) :) :). it takes a couple days of forgetting to take all daily and emergency medications before the lead blanket really settles over my body, but - especially with Spiriva - as soon as I inhale the medication, my lungs are like, OH TIME AT LAST TO RELAX! and then in about 5-30 minutes I suddenly notice I can breathe without the painful catch that returns every night

[jeffreyrwelch]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible causes for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water can make for a dog peeing a lot.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, the reason behind a dog peeing a lot is because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for a dog peeing a lot. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

Does your dog pee when meeting people? Here’s what might be at play >>

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[buynewsoul]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible causes for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water can make for a dog peeing a lot.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, the reason behind a dog peeing a lot is because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for a dog peeing a lot. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

Does your dog pee when meeting people? Here’s what might be at play >>

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible causes for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water can make for a dog peeing a lot.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, the reason behind a dog peeing a lot is because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for a dog peeing a lot. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

Does your dog pee when meeting people? Here’s what might be at play >>

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[stiles-wtf]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible causes for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water can make for a dog peeing a lot.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, the reason behind a dog peeing a lot is because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for a dog peeing a lot. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

Does your dog pee when meeting people? Here’s what might be at play >>

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[grublypetcare]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible causes for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water can make for a dog peeing a lot.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, the reason behind a dog peeing a lot is because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for a dog peeing a lot. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

Does your dog pee when meeting people? Here’s what might be at play >>

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[jeffreyrwelch]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[stiles-wtf]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[grublypetcare]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered, “Is my dog peeing a lot?” The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These reasons for a dog peeing a lot include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

A dog peeing a lot may be caused by age and aging

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

Is your dog peeing a lot? How old is he? A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog peeing a lot might signal overheating or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat the way that we do, they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so a dog peeing a lot is a common way for him to assert a claim to spaces he considers his territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving himself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing dog marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit his drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because she lacks bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because she has to or needs to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) could be the reason behind a dog peeing a lot

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, a dog peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

A dog peeing a lot might signal diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by a dog peeing a lot. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as he grows older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

This piece was originally published in 2017.

Suffering from frequent urination yourself? It could be this >>

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? by Melvin Peña appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered if my dog is peeing a lot. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Age and aging can cause a dog to pee a lot

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog might be peeing a lot due to increased heat or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Your dog could be peeing a lot due to a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes causes dogs to pee a lot

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

Ask a Vet: Why Is My Dog Peeing the Bed?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.

[jeffreyrwelch]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered if my dog is peeing a lot. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Age and aging can cause a dog to pee a lot

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog might be peeing a lot due to increased heat or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Your dog could be peeing a lot due to a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes causes dogs to pee a lot

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

Ask a Vet: Why Is My Dog Peeing the Bed?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.

[stiles-wtf]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered if my dog is peeing a lot. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Age and aging can cause a dog to pee a lot

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog might be peeing a lot due to increased heat or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Your dog could be peeing a lot due to a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes causes dogs to pee a lot

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

Ask a Vet: Why Is My Dog Peeing the Bed?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.

[buynewsoul]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Is my dog peeing a lot and should I be worried?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered if my dog is peeing a lot. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers for a dog peeing a lot range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Age and aging can cause a dog to pee a lot

Age may cause frequent urination in dogs. Photography ©Artnature/Thinkstock.

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

A dog might be peeing a lot due to increased heat or increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, he’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

Marking may be a culprit for a dog peeing a lot

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence may cause a dog to pee a lot

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing a lot because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Your dog could be peeing a lot due to a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes causes dogs to pee a lot

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

The bottom line: Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

Thumbnail: Photography by Heinz Teh / Shutterstock.

Tell us: Is your dog peeing a lot? How often does your dog pee?

Read more about dog peeing on Dogster.com:

FYI: Dog Pee Has Its Own Microbiome

How to Deal With Your Dog Peeing in the House

Why Does Dog Pee Kill Plants? And What Can We Do About It?

Ask a Vet: Why Is My Dog Peeing the Bed?

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy 3-year-old Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings, and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Should I be worried about her frequent urination?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered about frequent urination. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Puppies and senior dogs urinate twice as often as adult dogs. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Age and aging affect urination

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

Increased heat, increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, they’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

A dog that urinates frequently outside may just be marking. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Marking

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing more frequently because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Puppies achieve bladder control around 5 to 6 months of age. (Photo by Liza on Flickr)

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Watching your dog pee can alert you to changes in their health! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where, and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking, and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.

[stiles-wtf]

Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry?

My dog, Baby, is a healthy and happy 3-year-old Bluetick Coonhound mix. Our daily walks in the forest are constantly interrupted by various calls of nature. Baby is a scenthound, so she has an instinctive need to smell every tree trunk, pile of deer droppings, and disturbed patch of pine straw in the forest. When that isn’t halting our progress, it’s her habit of peeing a lot. Between drinks of water before we leave the house and when we reach the turnaround point, she might pee five or six times! Is her bladder the size of a tanker truck? Should I be worried about her frequent urination?

I know I’m not the only pet parent who’s wondered about frequent urination. The technical term for this is “polyuria;” it’s not a disease itself, but rather a descriptive catchall that means “peeing a lot” or “urinating excessively.” There are many factors and conditions that can affect how often dogs relieve themselves. The possible answers range from the completely benign to health issues that require veterinary consultation. These include:

Age and aging

Seasonal weather changes

Marking

Spay incontinence

Urinary tract infection

Diabetes

Puppies and senior dogs urinate twice as often as adult dogs. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Age and aging affect urination

A dog’s age has a definite impact on the number of times they’ll need to urinate. Whether they’ve just brought a new puppy home or are witnessing the early signs of a dog reaching seniority, first-time dog owners might be alarmed at how prolific or productive their dogs’ bladders are. Every dog is different, but on average, a healthy dog urinates once every four to six hours.

Until they are about 5 or 6 months old, puppies tend to urinate twice as often, every two hours or so. Part of that is lack of bladder control, which they master with maturity, house-training, and force of habit. Polyuria can return naturally as part of the aging process or as a side effect if they are on certain medications.

Increased heat, increased thirst

If a dog spends more time outside during the warmer months of the year, they’ll need more water. Since dogs don’t sweat — or at least have far fewer sweat glands than humans do — they regulate their body temperature by increased panting, which uses more of their body’s water stores. Dogs who go inside and outside often may drink more while they’re in the heat, but returning to a climate-controlled space means they’re not losing that extra drinking water to panting. This brings about a cycle where lapping up more water means they’ll have to pee more.

A dog that urinates frequently outside may just be marking. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Marking

Dogs don’t use stickers or magic markers, so peeing on things is a common way for dogs to assert a claim to spaces they consider to be their territory. This practice, called territorial, or urine marking, is the primary reason my own dog pees so often when we’re out walking. How can we tell the difference between a dog just relieving herself and marking? Normal urination happens as a long and sustained stream.

Urine marking, on the other hand, occurs in short bursts, and may only be a few drops at a time. The practice makes little difference out in nature, but can be problematic if it’s happening in the house. One way of curtailing marking indoors is to have a dog spayed or neutered at the earliest opportunity. Dog owners who have recently adopted a second dog may find themselves in the crosshairs of a temporary urine-marking contest as the two dogs adjust to sharing a common space.

Spay incontinence

Interestingly, while getting a dog fixed can limit their drive to mark territory, the procedure can also lead to cases of incontinence, especially in female dogs. In this context, an incontinent dog pees more often because they lack bladder control. There is a distinct difference between a dog peeing more frequently because they have or need to, and one that urinates involuntarily.

Puppies achieve bladder control around 5 to 6 months of age. (Photo by Liza on Flickr)

Does this mean dog owners should think twice about getting their dogs spayed? No! According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the link is not to the surgery, but to how the dog’s back is stretched during the procedure. Indeed, Dr. Dobias says that back injuries to dogs may be a primary reason for loss of bladder control, especially as dogs age.

Urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, in dogs, is a common and treatable reason for dogs to urinate more often than usual. Like incontinence, urinary tract infections affect older female dogs at a much higher rate than male dogs of any age group. As with many serious medical conditions, though, peeing a lot is not the only, nor the most alarming, symptom a pet parent will notice. What is more likely to catch their attention is hazy or blood urine, a dog who squats for an extended period of time before starting to pee, or one who is whining as they urinate. The biggest culprit is bacteria in a dog’s urethra, which can be resolved with a course of antibiotics.

Canine diabetes

Diabetes, specifically diabetes mellitus, in dogs, can also be signaled by an uptick in the number of times a dog needs to pee. In dogs, this form of diabetes arises when the digestive system cannot effectively convert food into usable energy. Similar to UTI, there are a host of additional symptoms beyond frequent urination. As the disease advances, the symptoms begin to create a feedback loop revolving around consumption and excretion.

Watching your dog pee can alert you to changes in their health! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Low blood sugar means the dog has less energy and feels the need to eat more. In order to void all the additional food sugars they are consuming, the dog will have to drink more water and pee accordingly. Canine diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed through a regimen of diet, exercise, and medication.

Familiarize yourself with your dog’s peeing habits!

Frequent urination alone should not be a cause for immediate concern. It may seem like strange advice, but watching your dog pee at every opportunity can be a boon to your dog’s health, especially as they grow older. Familiarize yourself with how, when, where, and the number of times your dog urinates. It doesn’t take much practice or observation for a dog owner to learn to differentiate between peeing, marking, and involuntary leaking. Make note of dramatic changes in the color of a dog’s pee, as well as any other changes in the dog’s energy level and eating habits.

The post Is Your Dog Peeing a Lot? Should You Worry? appeared first on Dogster.