A Canine's Change in Urination Behavior

Any sudden change in urination behavior in a dog needs investigation by a vet. Urinating more often than usual, not as often as usual, blood in the urine or incontinence all signal major health problems. Puppies urinate more often than adult dogs and both sexes will squat to urinate. Male dogs normally urinate more frequently than female dogs, according to the "Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training."

  1. Urinating Too Much

    • Called polyruia, urinating more often than usual is often accompanied by polydipsia -- or drinking more often than usual. Dogs normally drink 3 to 4 cups of water per day for every 20 pounds that they weigh. Polydipsia and polyuria can be signs of canine diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, a tumor in the pituitary gland, high blood calcium, Cushing's syndrome or poisoning. Veterinarians need a urine sample to help diagnose the dog's problem. The vet will also need to physically examine the dog.

    Urinating Too Little

    • If a dog squats repeatedly and only produces a few drops of urine, the dog may be suffering from a bladder infection or a blockage in the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone, notes "Dog Owner's Veterinary Handbook." Dogs that stop urinating altogether need to see a vet immediately, because their internal organs may be failing. Male dogs that often lift their legs during exercise -- or being turned out to the yard -- often lift their legs, even when their bladders are completely empty. However, these dogs do not exhibit any pain.

    Blood in the Urine

    • Called hematuria, blood appears in a dog's urine because blood has somehow gotten into the dog's urinary system. Some of the reasons can be potentially deadly, such as eating rat poison, traumatic injury, kidney disease, kidney stones, bladder stones or cancer of the urinary tract. "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" notes that a dog that passes bloody urine, but does not show any signs of pain most likely has kidney disease. Signs of dysuria, or painful urination include crying out or whimpering when urinating, straining to urinate but only producing a few drops and constantly licking the genitals.

    Incontinence

    • Dogs and puppies lose control of their bladders for many reasons. Puppies under two years old commonly exhibit "submissive urination." They dribble urine when they are scared or very excited. This goes away as the puppy matures, but can return if the dog is severely frightened. For old dogs, incontinence can signal canine cognitive dysfunction or arthritis. If a dog's joints hurt too much, the dog will not be able to get outside in time to urinate. Other causes of sudden incontinence include urinary tract infections, neurological problems or hormone problems.