How long should my dog hold it in for?

Urinary frequency in dogs differ according to breed, age, size, sex, etc. It’s typically said that smaller dogs and breeds tend to urinate more frequently than larger, older dogs. It’s important to give your dog enough opportunities to relieve himself and know when to do so.

 

Adult and large dogs have larger bladders than younger, smaller dogs. These dogs should have at least 3 opportunities to relieve themselves per day, about every 6-8 hours. Smaller and younger dogs should have at least 4-5 opportunities to relieve themselves per day, as their bladders are smaller than larger dogs. Dogs with health issues have different requirements when it come to holding it in. Pups with illnesses, such as diabetes or kidney disease, typically need more trips outside per day. Demanding them to hold it in for more than 2-3 hours may be an impossible task. The general rule for all puppies is, “one plus the number of months the puppy is”. Your result is the amount of hours they can hold it in for, but this doesn't directly apply to all puppies, every time. If your puppy is 3 months old, you may need to take him out every 40 minutes or so.

 

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