Adult dogs can hold their urine for an average of 6-12 hours. Young puppies, on the other hand, only last 1-3 hours. However, the exact length of time depends heavily on the size of the dog, age, health and the amount of water consumed.
Dogs produce between 23 and 46 ml of urine per kg of body weight every day and have to pee around 3-5 times per day if they drink a normal amount. [1]
For comparison: an average person produces around 1.4 liters of urine per day and has to go to the toilet an average of 6-8 times a day. [2]
Large dogs with a completely empty bladder at start can last up to 16 hours without drinking or physical activity. But that is the absolute maximum.
To prevent any pee accidents, the following products are a real blessing:
- Dog flap: Burglary-proof, completely airtight and only allows your own dog into the house.
- Pee Pads: Like a carpet-shaped tampon that absorbs all urine in no time and keeps it free of dirt.
- Dog diapers: Completely waterproof, reusable and visually an absolute hit.
In addition, a distinction must be made here between “can” and “want”. Because keeping dogs waiting unnecessarily long can become psychological torture for them.
Here is an overview of how long dogs can hold their bladder on average. You will also find breed-specific information below.
Dude, little one
DogMedium-sized
DogBig One
Dog1-2 hours1-3 hours2-3 hours6-12 months2-7 hours3-8 hours3-9 hours1-8 years6-10 hours6-12 hours7-14 hours8-10 years4-8 hours4-10 hours5-11 hours>10 years3- 5 hours3-6 hours4-7 hours
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Dog size is defined as follows:
- Small dog = height at withers
- Medium-sized dog = height at withers 40-50 cm and weight 15-25 kg
- Large dog = height at withers > 50 cm and weight > 25 kg
Instead of memorizing this table, I advise you to remember the “8-8 rule”. Because an 8-month-old dog can hold its pee for around 8 hours.
To be on the safe side, you should go for a walk around every 6-8 hours or give your dog other opportunities to empty his bladder.
According to studies, dogs' bladders are said to be empty after an average of 21 seconds. [3]
This applies not only to dogs, but also to many other mammals. This scientific phenomenon is therefore also known as the “law of urination”.
Important: If your dog does not urinate within 24 hours, I advise you to see the vet immediately. This is neither normal nor healthy.
Influencing factors
The average length of time dogs can hold their urine depends primarily on age, size and other factors:
#1 Dude
Young dogs can hold their bladders for a significantly shorter time than adult dogs. This applies even if the dog is already house trained.
The reason for this is anatomically based. Because at a young age, the bladder and urinary tract are simply not yet fully developed.
A puppy's bladder is therefore comparatively tiny. In addition, the muscles that regulate the urethra and the bladder still have to form.
The latter in turn also explains why the maximum period of time becomes shorter and shorter as we get older. Because of the reduced activity, the muscles also become weaker.
#2 Size
On average, a Chihuahua weighs only around 2 kg. For anatomical reasons alone, its bladder is no larger than a plum.
The mastiff, on the other hand, has a shoulder height of almost one meter and a weight of up to 100 kg, a bladder that is almost twice as large as that of humans. [4]
Small dog breeds can therefore hold their urine for a significantly shorter time than larger dog breeds. On the other hand, the amount of urine in small dogs is significantly lower.
#3 Other factors
There can sometimes be big differences within the same breed at the same age. The following factors are responsible for this:
At night, the bladder and the surrounding muscles are significantly more relaxed, which means the urge to urinate decreases. Physical activity, on the other hand, has the opposite effect.
With constant activity, dogs can usually only hold their pee for 6-10 hours, while over the night and with a lot of sleep between 14 and 16 hours is possible.
Illnesses such as a urinary tract infection, liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease and obesity can significantly reduce the amount of time or even lead to incontinence.
But mental health is also crucial here. Dogs with anxiety disorders or under severe stress urinate significantly more often. [5]
Since wet food and raw feeding contain a lot of moisture, dry food can noticeably extend the time.
Of course, the same applies to the amount you drink. Dogs that drink less can also hold their bladder significantly longer.
During female castration, the ovaries are removed, where, among other things, “estrogen” is produced. However, this hormone is not only essential for reproduction.
Estrogen also serves to regulate the sphincter muscles in the urethra. Neutered dogs therefore often suffer from incontinence after their operation. [6]
Some medications have a diuretic effect, meaning they increase the urge to urinate. That's already in the name. Because “diuretic” is Greek and means “urine-promoting”.
This type of medication is mostly used for high blood pressure, edema, heart failure and kidney and liver diseases.
How long dogs can hold their urine is largely determined by their age and size. In addition, activity level, health, neutering, medications, and eating and drinking habits can influence this time period.
Breed-specific information
Here is a list of the 50 most popular dog breeds in Germany, including the statistics on how long they can hold their bladder for the maximum time.
Dog breed age
Old
6-12 months age
1-8 years old
8-10 years old
> 10 y.Akita2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hAmerican Cocker Spaniel1-2 h2-8 h6- 11 h4-9 h3-5 hAustralian Shepherd2-3 h3-9 h7-13 h5-10 h4 -6 hBasset Hound2-3 h3-9 h7-13 h5-10 h4-6 hBeagle1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hBernese Mountain Dog2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hBichon Frisé1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hBloodhound2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hBorder Collie1-3 h3-8 h6-12 h4-10 h3-6 hBoston Terrier1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hCane Corso Italiano2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hCão de Água Português2-3 h3- 9 h7-13 h5-10 h4-6 hCavalier King Charles Spaniel1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hChesapeake Bay Retriever2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hChihuahua1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hDachshund1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hGerman Shorthaired Pointer2-3 h3-9 h7-13 h5-10 h4-6 hGerman Great Dane2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hGerman Boxer2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hGerman Shepherd2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hDoberman Pinscher2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hEnglish Bulldog2-3 h3-9 h7-13 h5-10 h4-6 hEnglish Springer Spaniel2-3 h3-9 h7-13 h5-10 h4-6 hEnglish Cocker Spaniel1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hEpagneul Breton1-3 h3-8 h6-12 h4-10 h3-6 hFrench Bulldog1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hGolden Retriever2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hHavanese1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hLabrador Retriever2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hLonghair Collie2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hMalinois2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hMaltese1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hMastiff2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hMiniature American Shepherd1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hMops1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hNewfoundland2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hPoodle1-3 h3-8 h6-12 h4-10 h3-6 hRhodesian Ridgeback2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hRottweiler2-3 h3 -9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hShetland Sheepdog1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hShiba Inu1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hShih Tzu1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hSiberian Husky2-3 h3-9 h7 -14 h5-11 h4-7 hVizsla2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hWeimaraner2-3 h3-9 h7-14 h5-11 h4-7 hWelsh Corgi Pembroke1-2 h2-8 h6-11 h4-9 h3-5 hWest Highland White Terrier1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hYorkshire Terrier1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hZwergschnauzer1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 hZwergspitz1-2 h2-7 h6-10 h4-8 h3-5 h
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