Mary Allen
If you have to go, you have to go! Just like you can’t cross your legs forever, your furry friend often has to go outside to do their “business” and avoid bladder problems or messing around the house. If this is your first time owning a pet, you may be wondering how often your pet needs to go outside. Is your new pup sniffing the door because he needs to pee, or because he just wants to play? Is that senior dog you adopted from the shelter ready to get back outside, or is it just desperate for your attention? If you know exactly how often a puppy should go out at night? To pee, you can become a better pet owner because you consider your dog’s well-being.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE MY PUPPY OUT AT NIGHT?
On average, puppies need to go outside at least 3 to 5 times a day to have the opportunity to relieve themselves. Veterinarians recommend that adult dogs spend no more than 6-8 hours between outdoor trips.
EVERY DOG AND PUPPY IS UNIQUE
Just as everyone is different – your dad can walk an entire road trip without stopping to pee, while your grandmother forces the whole family to stop at every rest stop, gas station, and fast food joint on the freeway for a quick “pit stop.” – every dog is different.
There are several factors that can reduce the amount of time between your dog’s toilet visits including age, breed, size, diet including how much your dog drinks.
It is important to pay close attention to your dog’s habits. If he’s squirming after 6 hours at home or in the crate, make it a habit to let your pet outside every 6 hours. Do you know that your dog can go 10-12 hours without exercise when you are not at home? You can stretch out the walk times a little longer, but remember that stopping too long or too often can lead to an increased risk of bladder, kidney, and urinary tract infections.
AGE AND TOILET BREAKS
Like human babies, puppies need to pee frequently. As a rule of thumb, expect your pup to be able to hold their bladder for one hour plus the number of months they are old. So a six-month-old puppy is a lot closer to an adult’s bladder capacity than a puppy that’s only a month or two old! However, by walking a puppy every hour during the day, you can ensure that your puppy is getting the exercise and attention it needs. Puppies are also most likely to go to the bathroom within fifteen minutes of eating or drinking. If you’ve recently fed your pup or watched him drink water, try to take him out and walk within ten minutes until he relieves himself. In this way, the puppy learns to combine going to the toilet with being outdoors – the desired behavior for you as a parent.
Older dogs, like puppies, lack the ability to hold their bladders for as long. Many frustrated pet owners find that their pet’s ability to remember to go outside deteriorates with age, but this is not usually due to dog disobedience. Older dogs typically need a toilet break every 4-6 hours. However, this can depend on the breed of the dog, the weight, and other health problems of the dog, among other things. Some older dogs may need to pee more frequently. If you are unable to take your dog outside, hiring a pet sitter is one way to keep your dog healthy and comfortable. It can also be helpful to paper train your dog or provide them with pee pads so they have a “safe” place to urinate even if you are unable to take them outside, or he, like his human companions, just can’t make it.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES?
Large breed dogs are more likely to have trouble holding their bladders than smaller breed dogs. Small breeds, on the other hand, generally have a smaller bladder capacity, which means they need to pee more often when swallowing water. Your dog may also need to pee more frequently if:
- You are overweight to obese.
- Medications are taken that cause or promote frequent urination.
- you have certain health conditions, such as diabetes.
- You were outside more early in the day and drank more water than usual.
WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE VET?
Frequent urination in dogs is not always a symptom of a problem. Age, weight, and other factors can contribute to your dog needing to go outside more often than usual. However, there are some warning signs that will let you know you need to take your dog to the vet right away, including:
- Straining or discomfort when urinating.
- A change in the color of the urine especially a very dark or red color.
- A sudden, significant increase in the number of times your dog goes outside, especially when unrelated to other symptoms.
The well-being of your pet comes first! When making plans for your dog, be sure to consider their special needs.
THE BREAKDOWN
Puppies and younger dogs may need to go outside every hour at first. As a puppy gets older, you can add an hour for each month of the puppy’s age. Older dogs can usually last 4-6 hours between visits outdoors.
Adult dogs generally need to go outside at least every 6-8 hours. Dogs that are housed in a crate and those whose parents are often away for long periods of time can stay outside for as long as 10-12 hours. However, this is rather uncommon and should not be expected of your dog. The better you know your dog, the better you can estimate how often he needs to be taken outside.
As you learn to pay attention to your dog’s cues, you’ll find that you can easily tell the difference between an invitation to play and a real need to get outside. However, by letting your dog outside regularly, you can increase their well-being and reduce the amount of mess in your home.