Last Updated: 07/05/2025
What causes urinary issues in dogs? Check out the different conditions which can contribute and the symptoms treatment and prevention from our vet team.
Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read
The urinary system is made up of the bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys.
Functions of the urinary system are to remove waste (urine) from the body, maintain the balance of water and electrolytes and to produce hormones that help with blood pressure, producing blood cells and absorbing salt
The urinary system of a female dog
Source: MSD Veterinary Manual
Straining to urinate
Frequent small urinations
Accidents inside the house
Excessively licking the urinary area
Blood in urine
Crying while urinating
Increased thirst
Cloudy, or discoloured urine
Strong smelling urine
Leaking urine
If you notice any of these signs it is important get your dog checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will examine your dog and may also recommend tests such as a urinalysis, blood tests, and imaging (ultrasound or x-rays) to diagnose the underlying cause of your dog's symptoms.
Urinary tract infections (or UTI's) are relatively common in dogs, especially female dogs. They occur when bacteria enters the bladder from the external environment. They can also occur in dogs who have bladder or urinary tract stones or crystals, and in dogs with systemic diseases such as diabetes or Cushing's disease.
UTI's can cause inflammation and discomfort in the urinary tract, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and can lead to frequent urination and pain.
To diagnose a urinary tract infection your veterinarian will need to look at a sample of your dog's urine and perform a urinalysis. They may also need to send a sample off to a veterinary laboratory for a culture and sensitivity test to find out what particular bacteria is causing the issue and which antibiotic to prescribe.
UTI's in dogs are treated with antibiotics, and your vet may request another urine sample once your dog has finished taking the antibiotics to ensure the urinary tract infection has cleared up completely.
Keep them hydrated by providing lots of clean fresh water to help flush away bacteria. Providing a water fountain for your dog to drink from can help them to drink more water.
Keep them clean! Groom and bath your dog, especially around the urinary opening to help prevent bacteria from entering the urinary system. Keep it clean and free of fur.
Feed a healthy, well balanced, nutritional diet.
Make sure to provide your dog with ample opportunities to pee. If your dog is an inside dog, give them regular pee breaks outside.
Bladder stones are another common cause of urinary problems in dogs. Crystals form in the urine, and may join up to form stones (uroliths).There are many factors that affect the formation of the crystals, including the chemical concentration of the urine, the acidity or alkalinity of the urine, temperature, diet, infections, and other disease processes. Although the presence of some urinary crystals can cause problems or indicate an underlying disease process, certain crystals can also be found in normal urine from healthy animals.
The crystals and stones irritate the bladder lining and cause inflammation, pain and discomfort, as well as frequent urination and blood in the urine. In some cases, crystals can lead to a life-threatening obstruction in the urethra, restricting outflow from the bladder, so it is important to get your dog seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible if they are showing any signs of urinary issues.
Some breeds of dog (e.g. Dalmatians) are more prone to getting certain types of bladder stones.
Although some cases are unavoidable, there are preventative measures you can take to protect your pet, particularly if they are a breed known to be predisposed to urinary crystals and stones.
Always feed a high quality, scientifically formulated diet to your dogs.
If your dog is hydrated, their urine will be less concentrated, which reduces the formation and growth of crystals. There are a number of ways to increase their water intake, such as feeding wet food and providing running fresh water with a drinking fountain.
Obesity can also predispose your dog to bladder stones, so keeping them at a healthy weight is essential. If your dog is prone to being a little pudgy, a lower calorie food may help.
Urinary tract infections can lead to bladder stones forming so it is important to take your dog to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment if they are showing signs of a UTI. Some systemic diseases (such as diabetes) can make your dog more likely to get bladder stones as well so it is important to work with your veterinarian to treat these diseases.
Once bladder stones form they often require surgery to remove them. If the underlying cause is not addressed after they are removed, crystals will persist in the urine causing stones to build up again. Usually your veterinarian will recommend feeding a prescription urinary diet as part of your dog's treatment plan. These diets have controlled levels of protein and minerals to limit the building blocks of urinary crystals and stones. They also contain ingredients that optimise urine pH to interrupt stone formation. There are different types of urinary diets that are targeted at different types of crystals and stones, and your veterinarian will recommend the right one.
It's very important that if your vet has prescribed a urinary care diet for your dog, that it is fed exclusively. Any treats, supplements or additional foods fed in combination with the urinary care diet will reduce the effectiveness of the diet.
Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine and can occur due to hormonal imbalances, spinal cord injuries, birth defects, and certain medical conditions. Dogs with incontinence may leak urine when lying down or asleep, and they may also be unable to hold their bladder, and therefore have accidents inside. Urinary incontinence occurs more commonly in middle aged to older spayed female dogs.
In young dogs or puppies incontinence may be caused by a birth defect called ectopic ureters. The ureters carry urine from the kidney to the bladder and if one or both of these does not connect to the bladder but rather connects to the urethra or vagina, it can cause incontinence. This condition can be corrected by surgery.
To diagnose urinary incontinence your vet may carry out tests such as urinalysis, urine culture, blood tests and imaging (ultrasound or x-rays).
Urinary incontinence can be a messy and frustrating problem for dog owners but it is usually treatable with medication or surgery, so if your dog is showing signs of incontinence it is important to have them checked by your veterinarian.
Regularly providing opportunities for them to pee. Let them outside or take them for a short walk often.
Using doggie nappies or diapers.
Use waterproof pads under their bedding.
Keep them clean. Make sure to clean any urine off your dog's skin to prevent urine scalding and infections.
ive any medications prescribed by your veterinarian.
Bladder tumours are another cause of urinary issues in dogs. In some cases they can affect the flow of urine and cause pain and discomfort, as well as frequent urination and blood in the urine.
Bladder tumours may be cancerous, and the most common type of bladder cancer is Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Other tumours that occur less commonly are leiomyosarcomas, fibrosarcomas and other soft tissue tumours.
To diagnose a bladder tumour, your veterinarian will need to do some tests such as a urinalysis, imaging (ultrasound and or x-rays) and blood tests. They also may need to take a biopsy of the tumour to send to the laboratory.
Treatment for bladder tumours may include surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Some bladder tumours may not be able to be prevented but there are some ways to reduce the risks. Bladder tumours in dogs have been linked to obesity, so it is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Chronic bladder infections and inflammation may also play a role, so working with your veterinarian to prevent and treat these conditions is also important. Lastly, some breeds of dog are more likely than others to develop bladder tumours
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
