Dogs are pretty good at making their bathroom habits our business — morning, noon, and night. But when your dog suddenly isn’t peeing, it’s worth taking notice. A dog who is repeatedly trying to urinate, but can't, may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Knowing the warning signs, understanding why your dog is finding it difficult to urinate, which signs are emergencies, and when it’s time to head to VEG ER for Pets can help you get timely care for your pet.
Signs your dog is having difficulty peeing
Watch for changes in both how often your dog tries to urinate and how much urine actually comes out.
Potential warning signs include:
Repeatedly squatting or lifting a leg without producing urine
Straining or taking a long time to urinate
Producing only a few drops
Frequently signaling to go outside
Whining, crying, or appearing painful while trying to pee
Licking the genital area more than usual
Blood or dark-colored urine
Restlessness or inability to get comfortable
A swollen or painful abdomen
How long can a dog go without peeing?
There isn’t a set number of hours that applies to every dog. Most healthy dogs urinate regularly throughout the day producing a reasonable amount of urine at least every 12 hours. Any sudden change from your dog’s normal pattern which has you wondering “Why is my dog not peeing?” is worth paying attention to.
Don’t use a time limit to decide whether your dog needs emergency care. A dog actively trying to pee but cannot requires immediate veterinary attention.
Why is my dog not peeing?
There are several possible reasons a dog may be unable to urinate. Some are relatively straightforward to treat, while others can become life-threatening.
1. Urinary blockage
A blockage of the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of the body — is one of the most serious possibilities.
Bladder stones are a common cause, but obstructions can also result from crystals, blood clots, scar tissue, inflammation, masses, or prostate disease. Although both male and female dogs can develop urinary obstructions, males are more susceptible because their urethra is longer and narrower.
2. Bladder stones or urinary crystals
Stones can form in the bladder and, in some cases, move into the urethra and block urine flow. A dog may initially show signs such as frequent attempts to urinate, straining, discomfort, blood in the urine, or producing only drops.
A partial blockage can become a complete blockage. So even if your dog is passing a small amount of urine, they should be evaluated promptly.
3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A UTI can lead to frequent attempts to urinate, straining, discomfort, blood in the urine, or passing only small amounts.
The tricky part? UTI symptoms can look similar to those of a urinary obstruction. That’s why it’s important not to assume your dog simply has a UTI if they are struggling to pee. A vet needs to determine whether urine is actually flowing and identify the underlying cause.
4. Neurological issues
The nervous system helps control bladder function. Spinal cord disease, injury, or other neurologic problems can interfere with a dog’s ability to empty their bladder normally.
This is particularly important if your dog has recently experienced trauma, surgery, weakness, paralysis, or another neurological problem.
5. Prostate problems
In male dogs, an enlarged or diseased prostate can interfere with normal urine flow. Prostate disease is one of the potential causes of urinary obstruction and should be evaluated by a vet right away.
Could my dog have kidney disease?
While kidney disease can change how much your dog pees, it’s different from a urinary blockage. In severe or advanced cases, a dog may still produce urine, but with less output. This is often accompanied with other systemic symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, weakness, and lethargy. If you're concerned that your dog may have kidney disease, call VEG or speak with your primary care vet. Read more about kidney disease in dogs.
Is my dog not peeing an emergency?
Yes, if your dog is trying to urinate but cannot, treat it as an emergency.
A complete urinary obstruction prevents urine from leaving the bladder. Waste products and potentially dangerous electrolyte abnormalities can build up in the bloodstream. In severe cases, the bladder can rupture leading to a life-threatening condition.
The ASPCA recommends having an emergency plan in place and knowing where to seek emergency veterinary care before you need it.
Pro Tip: Always keep your local VEG animal hospital’s number and address handy.
When to go to an emergency vet if your dog can’t pee
Call or walk into your local VEG emergency animal hospital immediately if your dog:
Repeatedly strains but nothing comes out
Produces only drops while repeatedly trying to urinate
Appears painful or distressed
Has a swollen or painful abdomen
Stops eating or drinking
Becomes weak, collapses, or seems unusually unresponsive
Do not wait overnight to see if your dog can pee in the morning. Complete urinary obstruction can deteriorate rapidly.
What will the vet do if your dog can’t pee
First, to help our VEG vet understand what’s going on with your dog, note the following:
When your dog last urinated
Whether they produced a normal stream or only drops of urine
If you’ve noticed blood, vomiting, pain, changes in appetite, or other symptoms
The first priority of our emergency vet would be to determine whether your dog’s bladder is full and whether urine is being produced and able to leave the body.
A VEG veterinarian may perform:
A physical and abdominal examination
A neurologic examination when indicated
Bloodwork to evaluate kidney function and electrolytes
Urinalysis and possibly a urine culture
X-rays or an ultrasound may be recommended to look for stones, masses, or other abnormalities
Additional testing based on your dog’s symptoms
If an obstruction is suspected, treatment may need to begin immediately. A urinary catheter may be used to relieve the blockage and allow urine to drain. The underlying cause, such as stones, infection, prostate disease, or another problem, will then determine further treatment.
Call or walk in: no appointment needed or taken.
Remember: a dog who can’t pee is not just having a bathroom problem; it may be an emergency. At VEG emergency vet hospitals, our experienced team is here to ensure your pup gets evaluated quickly and treatment starts immediately — so your pooch can get back to handling their busy schedule of walks, treats, and naps!
