What Causes a Dog to Stop Peeing Normally?
According to Dr. Dilmore, when a dog won’t pee or is straining to urinate, it can be a sign of a urinary tract infection (however, a UTI might be challenging to diagnose, since some dogs have no symptoms and will sometimes just drink more water than normal), bladder stones, kidney disease or an obstruction that’s affecting the outflow of urine. “If your pet is struggling or not able to urinate at all, you should take them to see a veterinarian immediately,” he warns. “A backup of urine can prevent the kidneys from being able to filter blood, which can potentially lead to severe and life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities.”
Dr. Scott says the most common cause of a urinary obstruction is urinary stones, but tumors or irregular muscular contractions can also cause these problems. Dogs with bladder irritation or infections very commonly strain to urinate, but are able to void their bladders completely. “It often requires a veterinarian to feel a dog’s bladder to know if it is too large or if it is a normal size,” she explains.
How Does the Urinary System Work?
Just like in humans, your pet’s kidneys make urine and send the urine to the bladder via two tubes called ureters, which connect each kidney to the bladder. In a normal dog, urine is emptied from the bladder, leaving the body through a single tube called the urethra. The urethra starts at the bladder and provides the exit path out of the body. The most common areas for problems resulting in a urinary obstruction are the urinary bladder and the urethra, both in male and female dogs.
What Happens if a Dog Holds His Pee Too Long?
Just like with people, dogs can suffer from serious health issues if they hold their pee for too long. They could end up with issues like UTI or could get urinary stones. There also is the concern that the carcinogens found in urine and within the urinary tract could cause or predispose your dog to certain types of urinary cancer. Make sure your dog is never holding it in for too long.