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10 reasons your puppy is peeing small amounts frequently every 5 minutes (male & female)

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December 26, 2022

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Few things can match the cuteness of puppies. These lively bundles of joy can truly enrich your life. Not only are dogs excellent guards, but they also make for wonderful companions. But of course, you already know this. It’s no wonder you decided to get a puppy of your own. However, your excitement quickly turned to horror when he started peeing uncontrollably in the entire house. What did you do wrong?

Just like human babies, young puppies can be difficult to handle. In this article, you’ll learn the 10 most common reasons why your newest family member might decide to go on a peeing spree plus we will also cover other subjects that can affect your dog’s or your own health

Summary

Even though its normal for puppies to pee often, medical conditions may also be a reason for excessive peeing. Peeing small amounts frequently as often as every 5 minutes can be signs of a serious medical condition both for male and female puppies. We describe 10 reasons why your puppy is peeing extensively. Many of these conditions can be treated if you intervene in time but you need to be very attentive if a serious medical condition is the reason.

We also cover the following topics:

• How often should puppies pee?
• Why does a puppy pee so much, usually in small amounts?
• Common puppy illnesses to look out for
• Parvovirus
• Kennel cough
• Distemper
• Vomiting and Diarrhea
• Adenovirus
• Leptospirosis
• Fleas
• Ticks
• What type of food to choose for your puppy ?
• FAQ

Continue reading

To be sure that your new puppy is not suffering from any serious medical condition or to find out if you need medical attention, we advice you to continue reading.

How often should puppies pee?

How often puppies should pee can vary from breed to breed and from one individual dog to another. Naturally, smaller breeds have smaller bladders. Thus, they need to pee more times per day than larger ones. When a puppy’s less than a month old, he might urinate as often as once per hour. As he grows older, he’ll pee less and less. As a general rule, puppies can hold it for the number of hours corresponding to their age in months plus one.

According to this rule, an 8-week-old puppy should go once every three hours. A 16-week-old one should be able to hold his urine for five hours. However, take these general rules with a grain of salt. Some pups will pee more times per day than others. It doesn’t always point to a medical problem. Instead, frequent urination in dogs can often be tied to their emotions.

Why does a puppy pee so much, usually in small amounts?

It’s no fun for any owner to see their newest family member pee every 10 minutes. Thankfully, excessive urination doesn’t always mean he is sick.

Here are ten common reasons why your puppy pees every few minutes:

1. He wants to be with you. Puppies are energetic little balls of fur. They will need to vent their energy somewhere at such a young age. If you don’t give them the attention they crave, they will seek other ways to get it. Excessive urination is one such way. Dogs are incredibly smart, and they can recognize patterns. They will realize that you will always address their accident even if you’re busy and might use it to their advantage. 
2. He might feel anxious. When we were little, we found the world a frightening place. Dogs are no different. Young ones can’t differentiate between what’s safe and what’s dangerous. As a result, new stimuli might cause them to pee uncontrollably. This problem tends to go away on its own as your precious baby grows older, but he might require lots of reassurance along the path. Whatever you do, do not punish this behavior. It only makes it worse. 

3. He might simply be too excited. As we mentioned, young puppies don’t have much control over their bladders. Certain emotions might open the floodgates, one of them being excitement. So if your pup pees too many times a day, make sure you play with him outside. That way, you’ll avoid potential oops-a-daisies in your home.
4. You didn’t potty train him. Many people anthropomorphize their dogs – they treat them like fellow humans. While they are incredibly intelligent animals, they’ll never be humans. They don’t speak our language. Still, some people talk to their dogs as if they could understand us. They learn through association and positive reinforcement. As your puppy ages, make sure you potty train him to avoid excessive urination at home.
5. He might have an infection. If your puppy pees multiple times in a row, he might suffer from a urinary infection. This condition affects mostly female dogs. Your young canine will pee with difficulties, and there might be blood in the urine. If this happens, take him to a vet immediately. They will perform the necessary urine test to see whether there’s a bacterial infection or not. Fortunately, antibiotics can usually remedy this condition.

6. He drinks too much water. When your little one drinks too much water, it’s no surprise he will pee every 10 minutes. Though it might just be because it’s too hot outside, it can also point to medical problems. Damaged kidneys or diabetes might promote excessive urination. To rule out these conditions, take him to the vet. Blood tests, sonography, and urine tests will detect these complications if they’re present.
7. He may suffer from kidney or bladder stones. If your puppy starts peeing a lot suddenly, he might have bladder stones. Not only are they incredibly painful, but they can also be life-threatening untreated. You may notice traces of blood in your poor canine’s blood. Kidney stones are much rarer, but they’re also incredibly dangerous. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. 
8. He may be on medication. Frequent urination can also be a side effect of some drugs. If your little one’s on some medication, check the label or consult your vet to check if it can be the cause. Fortunately, everything should return to normal after the treatment’s complete.

9. He could have cancer. No one wants to hear that their canine baby has cancer. However, it can happen. When the tumor grows in the brain, it can affect the nerves that control the bladder. It might lead to frequent urination. One way to detect cancer early is to look for hard black lumps on their skin. When it comes to cancer prognosis, time is essential. The sooner he gets diagnosed, the better life he’s going to live. 
10. Genetic predispositions. Some might be born with badly developed urine tracts. Your vet can detect these anomalies, though there may not be much you can do.

Common puppy illnesses to look out for

During their first year, dogs are much more vulnerable to pathogens. It only makes sense since their immune system is still developing. As a new dog owner, you must know about the most common illnesses that might plague the newest addition to your family.

Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus, or simply Parvo, is a very contagious disease. It is most prevalent in puppies six weeks to six months old. The virus is transferred through direct contact, feces, or contaminated surfaces. Fortunately, you can prevent this disease by vaccinating your little one. Still, dogs that haven’t completed their vaccination treatment are vulnerable to Parvo.

Parvo attacks mostly the stomach and intestines. Thus, all the symptoms are related to the alimentary tract.

Frequent vomiting and bloody diarrhea are the most common ones. Due to the loss of nutrients, your canine will feel permanently exhausted despite his young. Since he can’t keep the food in, he may refuse to eat altogether. Dehydration and fever are common too.

If ignored, Parvo infection can be fatal. The treatment might require hospitalization for a few days, but it can be cured if you detect it early on.

Humans can’t contract Parvo.

Kennel cough

Kennel cough or canine tracheobronchitis affects the respiratory system. Both bacteria and viruses might cause it. It got its name because it’s especially common in crowded places such as a kennel. However, any dog might contract this disease.

As its name suggests, the number one symptom is coughing. People describe this sound as high-pitched honking, Eventually, this illness might lead to loss of appetite and fever. Left unchecked, Kennel couch may lead to pneumonia.

Luckily, treatment is possible. You’ll have to tend to your little one at home in mild cases. Make sure he gets enough rest and water. If it worsens, you’ll need your vet’s help. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed. But whatever you do, keep your young canine quarantined. The illness is very contagious. Consider vaccination too.

Humans and other animals can’t catch Kennel cough.

Distemper

Distemper can be an extremely dangerous disease. The virus which causes it attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It can often be fatal. It’s transmitted by air or direct contact with other infected animals (not necessarily dogs).

The first sign of distemper is discharge from the nose and eyes. Coughing and fever soon follow. As the virus multiplies, it can lead to vomiting and yellowish diarrhea. Lethargy and loss of appetite often accompany these symptoms.

However, the real threat lies in the virus’s ability to attack the nervous system. When it reaches the brain, it can cause twitching muscles and uncontrollable chewing-like movements. Your dog could also start to walk in circles and even suffer from seizures.

We strongly recommend vaccinating your canine baby against this virulent disease. If he somehow gets distemper, seek veterinary attention right away. Dealing with it too late can lead to permanent neurological damage.

Though it can affect many animals, distemper can’t be passed to humans.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Puppies are curious by nature. They often eat things that no one should put anywhere near their mouth. It may result in vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell whether a real disease caused these symptoms or not. Generally, vomiting shouldn’t last more than 12 hours. Diarrhea shouldn’t last more than one day. After this time, your puppy is losing too much water, and you should contact a vet immediately.

Adenovirus

Adenovirus causes hepatitis. Because vaccinating your dog against it has become a norm, only puppies that haven’t yet been immunized are vulnerable to this virus. It’s spread by direct contact with infected dogs or their waste.

Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Later on, it may lead to jaundice.

Effective treatment may call for hospitalization. If detected early enough, Adenovirus doesn’t cause any permanent damage.

Once again, humans are immune to canine Adenovirus.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease borne mostly through the water. Your dog will most likely contract it by drinking water from rivers or lakes. Direct contact with infected urine can also transmit the bacteria.

Symptoms of leptospirosis can vary greatly from one case to another. Fever, excessive urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy are all possible.

Your vet will likely prescribe antibiotics to combat the disease. Diagnosing it as early as possible is important, or it might lead to permanent liver and kidney damage.

Since leptospirosis is not as common as the other diseases are, not every clinic vaccinates against it.

Unlike other illnesses, humans can catch leptospirosis. However, it’s quite rare. Despite this, avoid contact with your pet’s urine if he has leptospirosis.

Fleas

You might consider it strange to include fleas on this list. After all, it seems like such a banal problem. However, puppies are not as resilient as adults. In addition to causing anemia, fleas are often a form of public transport for tapeworms and bacteria.

Look for any red spots on his skin to see if these nasty bugs decided to settle down on your little one. Young dogs will often scratch the area, which might cause inflammation. As the owner, you should own a flea comb. It will help you find the bugs easily if there are any. In case of severe infestation, your pup’s gums might turn pale, and he’ll feel lethargic all the time.

Flea shampoos work marvels when it comes to seeing these unwelcome guests out. Since young dogs are much more sensitive, make sure you use the appropriate product. Your vet can also prescribe medication to prevent further infestation.

Don’t forget to treat your home, too, since fleas don’t stay contained to their host for too long. If you don’t, chances are they will return.

Although dog fleas can’t live on humans long-term, they might still jump on you and bite you sometimes.

Ticks

Ticks pose a similar threat to fleas. While their bite itself is little more than a nuisance, they carry many diseases. Some of them might even be fatal. Ticks are most prevalent in woods or areas with tall grass. If you live near such places, your little one will be more susceptible to these blood-sucking parasites.

Aside from the tick itself, you’re unlikely to notice any other symptoms. However, enlarged nodes and fever, which occur shortly after your dog’s been bitten, are red flags. Seek out veterinary attention immediately if this happens.

The tick usually falls off once it’s full. However, you should remove it as soon as you spot it. Grab a pair of tweezers and put on protective gloves. The tweezers should be blunt, or you might accidentally split the tick in half. Grab the tick with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible and start pulling it out. Apply strong but constant strength as you pull it out – you must remove it together with the head.

Although staying out of grassy areas is not always an option, your vet may recommend medication to keep ticks away.

Your dog can also transfer the ticks to you and you should be very aware to check yourself if you find any on your dog. In this case the tick may let go from your dog after feeding but resume a later meal on you. If you yourself is bitten by a tick, be aware of Borrelioses which can be very dangerous to humans.

What type of food to choose for your puppy ?

It’s not easy to find the perfect food for your dog. Who doesn’t want to give their canine companion the absolute best? Dog foods are composed to meet the nutritionary needs of your dog and to comply with your dog’s digestive system to be easily absorbed. You can choose to serve either dry dog food or wet dog food or a mix of both.

Dry dog food

Wet dog food

FAQ

Is it normal for puppies to pee multiple times?

For puppies younger than one month, peeing as often as every few minutes is perfectly normal. After all, their bladders are small. You can’t expect them to hold it in as long as adult dogs. As he matures, he will pee fewer times per day. However, it can still seem like much when compared to an adult.

While excessive urination is quite common in puppies, you should keep an eye out for certain symptoms.

How much is too much peeing for a dog?

Very young puppies can pee as often as every 10 minutes. As they grow older, their bladders grow bigger. Generally, young ones should be able to hold their urine for the number of hours equal to their age in months plus one. If your little one suddenly starts peeing more often than this average, he might suffer from medical conditions.

As for adult dogs, most should be able to hold their pee from four to eight hours. Larger breeds tend to manage without peeing longer. However, no healthy adult dog should pee uncontrollably during nighttime.

How can you tell if your dog has a UTI?

Urinary infections are mostly of bacterial origin. Though they tend to affect mostly females, males aren’t immune to them either. Symptoms of urinary infections are often easy to detect even before you visit your vet.

If she pees multiple times in a row whenever the two of you go for a walk, it can be a reason for concern. Moreover, the bacteria will cause inflammation within the bladder. It will make peeing painful. As a result, your dog will strain when he pees. He might whine as well.

In time, blood might appear in the urine. Any form of blood loss can put your canine friend’s life in jeopardy. If you notice this, have your pet checked immediately.

Your dog may also start to lick his or her genitals more frequently than usual.
Lastly, urine containing bacteria can be extremely smelly.

If you’re unsure, your vet can perform a urine test to detect possible infection. Don’t shrug off these symptoms – they grow more dangerous with time.

What are the first signs of Parvo in a puppy?

Vomiting and bloody diarrhea are often among the first signs of Parvo infection. Additionally, your dog might feel lethargic and refuse it eat or drink. Don’t ignore this illness, as it can be fatal.

When it comes to Parvo, prevention is the best medicine. Start the vaccination procedure the moment your vet recommends it. During the vaccination, your puppy shouldn’t meet other dogs to stay safe.

Is it common for puppies to get sick?

Because their bodies are still developing, puppies have a weaker immune system than adult dogs. Therefore, they are susceptible to various diseases during their first year in this world. Luckily, you can vaccinate your pet against most of these illnesses.

Conclusion

To sum up, it’s normal for them to pee every few minutes because their bladders are still developing. But it could become a nuisance if yours suddenly starts peeing multiple times in a row. Though it’s usually your 8-week-old puppy’s way of getting your attention, excessive urination can point to serious medical problems. Look for signs such as bloody urine or uncontrollable peeing. Thankfully, most of these conditions can be treated if you intervene in time.