Why Does a Dog Urinate a Lot and Often?

1 Increased Water Intake

If a dog switches from dry to wet food, with more exercise and water or more watery fruits and vegetables, urine volume rises and causes frequent urination.

No treatment needed — just train the dog to eliminate in a set spot at home to avoid holding urine too long and stressing the urinary system.

2 Urinary System Disease

Urethritis, urethral stones, cystitis, bladder stones, and kidney-related disease can all cause frequent, excessive urination. Notably, when kidney function declines into the compensatory stage, urine volume increases and the dog can become dehydrated with mild anemia. As disease progresses, later-stage urinary disease usually turns into frequent, scanty, dribbling, painful, or bloody urination and even blockage. For stones, add stone-dissolving medication; for kidney disease, add renal-protective nutrition to prevent failure.

Have a vet check the cause and use anti-inflammatories such as amoxicillin powder or cefadroxil with a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide to control it.

3 Diabetes

Dog diabetes typically causes increased drinking, urination, eating, and weight loss, with clear drop in energy. See a vet for insulin to control blood sugar, cut sugar and sugary drinks, raise protein and fiber, and increase exercise.

4 Endocrine Disease

Frequent, excessive urination can also come from endocrine disease, such as diabetes insipidus from reduced antidiuretic hormone, showing anorexia, thirst, incontinence, and weight loss. See a vet or consult one.