What Could Be Wrong if My Dog Is Urinating More Than Usual?

Frequent urination can be a symptom of a more serious health issue.
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When your dog urinates frequently, it could be more than just an accident. There are several potential causes for frequent urination in dogs, but since your dog can't tell you how he's feeling, you'll have to further investigate your pup's symptoms and consult your veterinarian to get to the root of the issue.

Bladder Infection

Bladder infections are painful, and the symptoms often feel similar to those of a urinary tract infection. If you notice your dog painfully straining to relieve himself of very small amounts of urine, your dog may have a bladder infection. If you notice discoloration of the urine, or dark brown or red blood clots, try to take a sample and bring it and your dog into your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Diabetes

Dogs with early symptoms of diabetes will often drink large amounts of water, with thirst that is seemingly never satisfied. Diabetes occurs when the endocrine glands become unable to control blood sugar levels. Some common symptoms of diabetes are unexplained weight gain and more frequent urination.

Kidney Problems

A dog with very light-colored or pale urine that is urinating very frequently may have kidney problems, which could be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Kidney problems are more common in older dogs, but younger dogs can also develop issues. Since kidney problems can be very serious, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Age

As your dog ages, the muscles around his bladder weaken, which can potentially lead to incontinence. If your dog seems unaware or surprised by his "accidents," or if he is very advanced in age, consider using doggie diapers while he's inside. In addition, very young puppies have small bladders, and should not be expected to "hold it" very long until they reach maturity.