small dogs pee

Do small dogs pee more often? (read this first)

Small dogs pee more frequently than their larger counterparts. Small dogs in this context refer to both younger dogs and smaller breeds.

While all dogs small or big can hold their pee for similar times, smaller ones tend not to. As expected, a small dog won’t produce large quantities of urine, prompting them to release less urine but at a faster rate.

Although each dog is different from others, those of the same breed tend to act alike.

Typically, all dogs are expected to urinate at least three times a day, but smaller dogs go higher. Some smaller dogs may urinate more than six times a day at reduced intervals, especially when compared to larger dogs.

Most of the factors that govern how frequently a dog urinates seem to work faster in smaller dogs.

Fun fact: Size plays a limited role in how frequently a dog urinates. While smaller dogs may urinate more often than large ones, other factors are largely responsible. Size only appears to be the cause, even when dealing with puppies.

Why Small Dogs Pee So Much

Small dogs are smarter than most people and rarely do things without reason including peeing. When a small dog is peeing frequently, there is always a reason why, and it is important to find it out.

Peeing excessively may be a cause for concern, but that isn’t always the case. To help differentiate problems from natural actions, here are the most common reasons small dogs pee frequently:

Small Bladders

It is a simple logical deduction, a small dog will have smaller organs than a larger one, including a bladder. Smaller bladders are quicker to fill up and even when the dog doesn’t drink too much water, its bladder will still fill up quickly.

Small dogs can hold their bladders when full, but it isn’t advised and will cause great discomfort for the dog. Rather than hold it in, most small dogs seek to relieve themselves as soon as their bladders are full.

Of course, once they do this, then they get thirsty and are after a drink again, one vicious cycle.

Marking Territories

Marking territory is a common trait in all dogs but small dogs are remarkably consistent with it. Some people believe the consistency is intended to make up for their small size but there is no evidence to support this.

Small dogs tend to mark Territories, especially when they are new to a home, or when another dog is in the vicinity. Regardless, you can spot marking by one key trait, targeting.

When a small dog is marking its territory, it consistently urinates in the same spot. Small dogs are also beloved to have a greater aim, making their targeting more accurate.

Fluid Intake

The more water a dog drinks, the more it will urinate. Small dogs aren’t particularly known to drink water excessively but they can do so in certain situations.

If a small dog is dehydrated or emptying its bladder, it may seek fluids, especially if they have a full bowl.  With small dogs known to be energetic and playful, dehydration is never far away, and neither is a full bladder.

The cycle continues from the drink to urination and back. Traditionally, most dogs know when to stop drinking water, but a few keeps on drinking and urinating.

Observe your dog’s drinking habit and if it is excessive, reduce the amount of water provided.

Potty Training

A potty-trained dog will always understand when to pee and when to hold it. Their control extends to fluid intake, reducing water consumption to avoid frequent urination.

Small dogs in particular are notoriously difficult to potty-train, leading to frequent urination. Most notably in the early days of acquiring the dog, they pee without regard, whenever they feel like it, which is often.

Potty training takes a while but with time, even a stubborn small dog will get the hang of it and behave appropriately. Once the dog is trained, it urinates less frequently, though it may still be more than a large dog’s schedule.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal balance controls and affects a lot of things in the body, including urine production and frequency.

Hormonal Imbalance is mostly common in spayed dogs, especially females. Only when your dog is spayed do you have to truly worry about this, doesn’t mean it is impossible in other cases.

Spaying has its benefits, but it also comes with a few negatives, including hormonal Imbalance. Certain hormones are produced in excess, whilst others are scarce.

With hormonal Imbalance resulting from spaying, things will balance out after a while. However, if the problem persists, you may need to take the dog to the vet.

How long after drinking water do dogs pee?

Most dogs pee within a few minutes of drinking water, less than half an hour in most cases. Small dogs in particular puppies have little tolerance or resistance with some of them peeing in the first five minutes after drinking water.

The more water they drink, the faster they need to pee, and the larger the volume of the pee.

The same thing applies to liquid foods, not just water and other fluids. The relationship between a full bladder and thirst is directly proportional. As the dog’s bladder is full, a dog is less likely to feel thirsty.

Once they empty their bladder, they will seek water, starting the process all over again.

It is best to stop your small dog from having fluid consumption at least two hours before they go to bed. As their bladders are small and easily filled, you may be forcing them to sleep with a full bladder, holding pee overnight.

While most dogs can do this comfortably, it isn’t advised especially for small dogs as you risk permanent bladder damage.

Can a small dog hold its pee for 10 hours?

Most dogs small or large can generally hold their pee for up to 10 hours, with some even going as far as 12 hours. While the dog is physically capable of holding in pee for that long, you should never allow them to do so.

Holding in pee for prolonged hours can lead to urinary tract infections, and in some cases, Urinary Incontinence later on.

No dog should go longer than 8 hours without urinating, especially not a small dog. If they are also refusing to drink water, it may be a cause for concern and you may need to get a vet.

If your small dog has gone up to 10 or 12 hours without urinating, you may need to help it by expressing its bladder.

A dog should only hold its pee for up to 10 hours when it is overnight as opposed to during the day. At night when they sleep, their bodies produce hormones that help reduce urine production, allowing them to hold their bladders longer.

There is little or no discomfort when dogs hold their pee overnight as opposed to during the day.

How many times a day should a small dog pee?

A small dog typically will pee between 4-7 times depending on other factors including fluid consumption.

The minimum number of times a small dog needs to pee to avoid concern is three times, or the number of times you feed the dog. After each meal, your dog will drink water and in most cases will ease themselves soon after.

Excessive urination is also a possibility in small dogs, even though they typically urinate more than larger dogs. Carefully study your dog’s urination pattern and notice any changes, especially when the change is significant.

Minor changes can be down to hormonal changes, growth, and other natural factors, none of which are cause for concern. Any condition which causes frequent urination in a small dog should not be taken lightly and should be addressed early.

Most diseases that cause frequent urination are usually accompanied by other symptoms, making them easier to identify. In some cases, blood and other substances may be present in the urine, as there isn’t enough urine to match the dog’s frequency.

Implications Of Frequent Urination By Small Dogs

With small dogs urinating more frequently than larger dogs, they are an adjustment especially when it is your first time with one.

Without the right information and mindset, you’ll likely get frustrated down the line. Some changes you can expect transitioning from big dogs to smaller dogs include:

More Water

Small dogs don’t drink more water than large dogs, but they drink with a greater frequency. The more they drink, the more they urinate, and vice versa.

You will need to give them water more frequently to prevent them from going thirsty. Most people simply fill their water bowls and leave them there for the dog to drink as much as they like.

While this technique is helpful, especially when the dog is home alone, it may drink too much, and urinate excessively. Your best option is to regulate their water consumption by replenishing the bowl with the right quantity of water each time the dog needs it.

A Pee Pad or A Doggy Door

It may not be feasible to take the dog out each time it wants to urinate, especially when it exceeds the average expectation. You will instead need a provision for the dog to urinate on its own, in the right place.

You can either add a pee pad into its pen or add a doggy door, so it can go out whenever it needs to. Of course, both options will require some sort of supervision but they are less demanding than having to take your dog out six or seven times a day.

Difficult Potty Training

As is to be expected, potty training tends to be more difficult with smaller dogs. Their higher urination frequency makes it a bit difficult to predict when they will urinate.

When you can predict, it may be tiring to caution and guide the dog each time. The most difficult parts are in the dog’s early days, but luckily, small dogs tend to be intelligent and pick up instructions quickly.

There may be a few relapses and bumps along the line, but the dog will eventually be potty-trained, just a little later than with a larger dog.

Take Away: Do small dogs pee more often? (read this first)

Smaller dogs tend to pee more often than larger dogs, sharing similarities with cats more than with large dog breeds.

Smaller bladders are the primary cause, as most people expect, but bladder size is secondary to other factors like fluid consumption.

You can expect a small dog to pee as much as six times a day, whereas a large dog can do with just three.

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