One of the big questions that a person has when considering bringing a dog into their home is how long a dog can go without peeing. I mean, it’s a very important thing to think about. Potty training a dog is a daunting task and it is important to know how often you need to take your dog out to relieve itself.
Trying to figure out how long a dog can go without peeing isn’t the easiest thing to do. You see, every dog is different so every dog is going to be able to hold its bladder for a different amount of time.
How long can a dog go without peeing?
Generally speaking, an adult dog of varying age and size should be able to hold its pee for about six to ten hours. That being said, most vets recommend that you let your dog out to use the bathroom every three to five hours.
Exactly how long a dog is able to go without peeing depends on a few different factors including age, size, breed, gender, and your dog’s health. A healthy dog will be able to hold its pee longer than a dog that is suffering from health conditions. Additionally, an older dog will need to be let out more often than a younger dog.
To learn more, you can check out my article on how many accidents is normal when potty training a puppy.
Can anything bad happen if a dog holds its pee for too long?
Veterinarians advise that owners let their dogs out to use the bathroom every three to five hours
It is not good for your dog to hold its pee. Not only is it incredibly uncomfortable for a dog to withstand going to the bathroom, but there are also some health concerns that owners should be aware of.
Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and even bladder crystals are all health conditions that can come from a dog that holds its pee for too long. All of these will need to be diagnosed and treated by a vet, and a dog owner should not allow these health conditions to go unattended.
How often should you let a puppy out? Are there any tips and tricks to potty training?
When you decide to get a puppy, you must acknowledge that potty training is going to be a necessary task. Sometimes it can take four to seven months to potty train a puppy.
When you are potty training a puppy, it is important to know that a puppy can’t hold its pee as long as an adult dog. On average, a puppy will need to go to the bathroom every two hours or so, maybe even more!
Be sure when you potty train your puppy that you only use positive reinforcement. Always give your puppy a treat and tell them what a good dog they are when they go pee or poop where you want them to go. Never discipline your puppy or dog as dogs do not understand punishment.
Instead of knowing that they are being punished, your dog will begin to wonder why its favorite human is being mean to him all of the sudden.
What should you do if you are away from the home for many hours at a time?
Most dog owners have a job and other responsibilities. Sadly, sometimes these responsibilities can keep a person away from their home for many hours out of the day. So what do you do if you can’t be at the house as often as your pup needs to go to the bathroom?
- You can use puppy pads. Many dog owners will purchase puppy pads to give their dogs an option to relieve themselves when they can’t be taken outside. Puppy pads will keep your house from getting ruined by accidents and will keep any pee and poop in a confined space.
- Feed your dog a healthy diet. It is important that you don’t give your dog any food that upsets their stomach.
- You can hire a dog walker. A common option for dog owners that are away from the home for many hours at a time is to hire a dog walker. There are plenty of sites dedicated to matching dog owners up with the perfect person to take their dogs on walks when they aren’t available. Or you can even hire someone that you already know and trust!
- You can install a doggie door. Some people aren’t comfortable with the idea of someone coming into their house when they aren’t home but also don’t want to use puppy pads. That’s completely understandable, and fortunately, there is another option for you! If you fall into this category, you might want to get a doggie door installed so that your dog can go in and out as often as he pleases. Just make sure that the doggie door lets out into a fenced- in yard. There are even microchip-activated doggie doors on the market so you know that only your dog will be able to come and go from this new addition.
- You can take your dog to a doggie daycare. Doggie daycares have been around for quite a while and are a popular option for people on vacations. However, what many people don’t realize is that doggie daycares can be used for a couple of hours at a time! Your dog will be able to interact with caretakers and other dogs all day while you are at work.
No matter what you decide to do while you are away from the home, remember that it takes time and patience to potty train a dog.
