Seeing your pooch drink his own pee can be a pretty distasteful sight. Worries about diseases and health problems will pop into your mind, as you rush towards him to get him to stop. Although the exact cause of urine drinking is unknown, this behaviour has been observed in pooches that have urinary tract infections (UTI). These infections would make them feel really thirsty, so they often end up drinking whatever liquid that they’re able to find.
Another possible reason is his environment – it can be hard to kick the habit if your furkid was caged up at birth, as most inhumanely caged animals resort to drinking their pee when they aren’t provided with sufficient water.
What Can I Do To Prevent This From Happening?
Male pooches also often taste a female’s urine to know if she is in heat. Even if she has been spayed, this instinct can still make a dog drink a female’s urine.
If you catch Fido drinking his own pee, it’s safe to say that no harm will come from it as there is nothing in there that wasn't already in his body! However, it is important not to let him do this often as it isn’t good for his hydration. Drinking other pooch’s pee is also a big no-no as it might contain harmful diseases.
If you suspect that Fido is suffering from UTI, do take him to a vet to get it treated. If he passed his health check and is fit as a fiddle, then some re-training may be needed to help curb this habit of his.
Always make sure there is fresh water nearby your furkid’s favourite spots, and if you catch Fido in the act, clap your hands or make a loud noise to distract him and thus prevent him from drinking further. Point him towards the direction of the water and praise him after he has drunk from the water bowl.
Have you ever noticed your dog licking another dog's pee? Dogs are known to display plenty of odd behaviors and weird habits, like sniffing each other's rears or suddenly getting the zoomies. When dogs sniff the urine of other dogs, they are getting a world of stimulating information. Despite how off-putting we humans see it, dogs seem to enjoy it. Fortunately, this behavior is generally harmless unless the other dog is sick.
Dogs use their noses to explore the world around them. An advanced olfactory system allows dogs to smell much better than humans. They actually have a structure in their nasal passages called the vomeronasal organ or Jacobson's organ that enables them to smell pheromones. They can take in complex layers of scents and will sometimes lick objects, surfaces, and even other dogs in order to get a better whiff.
Urine contains chemicals and pheromones that are unique to each dog. It tells a story about the dog and can provide clues about the dog's sex, reproductive status, health, and diet. This explains the reason for urine-marking: dogs urinate on objects to make their territories and communicate with other dogs. Of course, this is why your dog is drawn to the pee of other dogs.
You may see your dog licking in addition to smelling the urine so he can fully take in all of the "aromas" from the other dog. Some dogs will rub their faces and bodies on desirable scents, and this may include the urine of another dog.
You may find it unsettling to see your dog licking another dog's urine. Relax, there is nothing wrong with your dog. This instinctive behavior is normal and usually harmless. However, it is possible for a dog to contract an infectious disease from licking the urine of animals.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is contagious to both humans and dogs. It is often transmitted through the urine of wildlife like rodents. Dogs with leptospirosis can spread this disease through their urine as well, infecting humans, dogs, or other animals. Leptospirosis causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to liver failure or kidney failure in dogs and people. Dogs are more likely to contract leptospirosis from contaminated water, but it is technically possible to get the disease directly from another dog. Therefore, it can be a concern if your dog is licking the urine of unknown dogs. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has been exposed to leptospirosis or is showing signs of illness.
Intestinal parasites and gastrointestinal viruses like parvo are not passed via urine. However, a dog could contract a disease after licking the genital area of an infected dog if the dog is shedding the parasite or virus from the anus.
A rare bladder parasite called Capillaria plica can affect dogs, but not directly from another dog's urine. Instead, the infected dog urinates the parasite's eggs, which then develop into larva and enter earthworms. A dog must eat the infected earthworm to contract the parasite.
There may be times when you want to stop your dog from licking other dogs' urine. Many owners are disgusted by the sight of it even though it's normal behavior. More likely, you are concerned that your dog may contract an infectious disease.
Training can help you prevent your dog from licking other dogs' pee. Practice cues like drop it and leave it so you can interrupt your dog the moment you catch him trying to eat something bad. If your dog fails to obey, use positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Redirect your dog to a toy or game. Reward him for diverting his attention from the undesired item.
Your dog is most likely to lick another dog's pee during a walk or while playing in a dog park. Watch your dog closely at these times. If your dog is on a leash, simply lead him away from other dogs that are peeing. You will need to watch your dog closely at the dog park or while playing outdoors with other dogs. Only allow your dog to play with healthy dogs.
You may need to take a break from the dog park if you cannot stop your dog from licking other dog's pee. Work on training in a controlled environment, like your yard. Invite familiar, healthy dogs over from doggie "playdates" so you can supervise and work on the "leave it" cue.
You’restuck working from home, and your dogcouldn’t love it more. His tail constantly wags with you being around all day. Just as you’reabout to start working, you notice something disgusting. Fido is now licking his pee off the floor where he just went!
Do you yell at your dog? Or, should you let us guide you as to the background behind that behavior? You chose the latter. But answering why would a dog lick its pee isn’tas simple. It could be due to:
- A bad habit that you have yet to break
- The fact that they don’thave anywhere to go
- A medical issue
Fortunately, all these issues are solvable. Below, you’ll find the solutions to all three problems.
Why is Your Dog Licking Its Pee? Behavioral Issues
If you’ve been a long-time dog owner, you already know about their curious nature. In addition to their curiosity, you must also know they can have some really disturbing habits. If you’ve never owned a dog, you may find some of their behavior puzzling. Licking or drinking their own — or another dog’s pee is one such behavior.
Fido could be running their tongue in the piddle puddle due to any of these reasons:
Problem #1: They Don’t Have Anywhere Else to Go
By that, we refer to a dog going outside to go pee. Mostowners train their dogs to pee outside; if you’ve done so too, good job!
Installing a dog door that your dogcan use to exit the premises to go pee is a good solution. They won’tcome running to you whenever they need to empty their bladders. And you won’treturn to a house that reeks of pee.
At night, however, you probably close that small door. Many people do this so that critters and other things cannot come in, but it also blocks your dog from going out. Should they need to go and there’sno way to leave, what do you think will happen? Aside from accidents, some canines may not be up to leaving the house in the middle of the night. In both cases, though, the result would be the same, i.e., pee puddles on the floor.
Ashamed and embarrassed, your pet might start lapping it up to hide the evidence. Again, as we mentioned, you can correct this behavior.
Solution #1: Reinforce Good Habits
If teaching them to pee outside is not solving the problem, get back into training mode.
Mark the time slot when your fur baby urinates inside the house. When it arrives, either catch them in the act or after it. When they start to go, don’t yell.Instead, adopt an excited tone and say, Hey Fido! Look at this!! Their built-in curiosity will ensure they follow you.
With your pal behind you, step to where they should be peeing. Wait to see if they go. When they do, praise them and give them a treat. Keep up the encouragement and train the habit right out of them.
There’s one more thing for you to try. If you come upon your dog urinating inside, use a NO to indicate this isn’t good behavior. Adopt a firm tone, so the canine understands that they are doing something wrong.
Problems 2 and 3 are related, so we have the same solution to them both, i.e., training your dog to go outside for their nasty business.
Problem #2: Your Dog isn’t Yet Housebroken
You might have your canine companion for just a couple of weeks, but one thing is clear, they are not housebroken! A majority of the time, this is because the dog is relatively new to your home and surroundings. They haven’t yet figured out where they should and shouldn’t pee.
If that’s the case, they might have accidents and then try and lick the pee back up. You need to train them to use a designated area that will work for you both.
Problem #3: They were Raised in a Puppy Mill
No dog-lover would condone the conditions in a Puppy Mill. The dogs and puppies remain cooped up in small cages/boxes without ever getting out, which means that the puppies have to excrete in the same space where they live and eat.
Now, imagine a dog who has experienced conditions like that while growing up. To survive, they soon pay no mind to the poo and urine mixing with their food. What’seven sadder is that they get used to consuming those substances! If not broken, this habit continues into adulthood.
Solution #2 and #3: Provide Training and Take Them Outside More Frequently
Accidents will happen if your dog doesn’t have access to a place where they can safely urinate. Likewise, if they don’t know they need to go outside, they may pee within the house. The solution requires a two-step process of training:
Firstly, reserve an area close to home where your dog can pee. Then, work with them until they can leave the house and go out to pee on their own. Every time they eliminate in the right place, praise them, and give them a treat. Soon, this act will become a habit.
Secondly, set your phone’s alarm to go off every few hours. Whenever it does, take your dog out. If you know you’ll be leaving them for a while, head out with them to the spot before you go. The same goes for when you’re turning in for the night.
Problem #4: The Culprit is Dehydration
Another reason why Fido loves getting into that puddle of pee is that they’redehydrated! Usually, adult dogs who don’thave access to their water bowl or find it empty a lot will do this. However, it isn’tas common in middle-age pooches.
Puppies and older dogs, though, can easily become dehydrated. Puppies may not know the water bowl is a source of hydration. They need training in that area.
Senior dogs know what the water bowl is. However, if they have dementia, it can cause them to forget where the bowl is! In the end, they may drink to hydrate whenever they pee.
The easiest way to determine if dehydration is a factor is to check the color of the pee. If your dog’s pee is darker in shade than it usually is, they are likely dehydrated.
Solution #4: Keep Your Fur Baby Hydrated
Regardless of whether your canine companion is drinking their pee or not, keep them well hydrated. Ensure that they know where their water bowl is. Try to place it as close to your pet as possible. When leaving the house, fill the bowl so that the dog will have enough water.
Puppies will require training to understand how to use their bowl. Older dogs — those with dementia — can forget where you keep the bowl. Have one close to where they spend most of the day for easy access. At night, fill the bowl and place it next to your dog’s sleeping place.
Why is Fido Licking Its Pee? Medical Issues
Besides bad habits, a genuine underlying health issue could also be why your dog is licking its pee. When training, reinforcement with treats, and more frequent pee-breaks don’twork, it is time to see if that’s the case.
Fortunately, many medical issues resolve with proper medication. There are two main conditions that dogs develop, leading to urine consumption:
Problem #1: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Bacterial in nature, UTI’s are as common an occurrence in dogs than they are with us. The usual symptoms that can help you identify if your pet has one, include:
- Blood in urine
- Fever
- More frequent urination
- Accidental urination all over the house
- Cloudy urine
Whether due to thirstiness or embarrassment, when your dog has an accident, they may try cleaning it up. If your behavioral measures don’t bear any fruit, check for the symptoms of a UTI.
Problem #2: Cushing’s Syndrome
Even though it is rare for a dog to suffer from Cushing’s syndrome, it is still possible. Usually, the first two symptoms that appear in this case are:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
When they must go more frequently, your dog is more likely to have an accident. If your dog is experiencing constant thirst, it may drink back the liquid it just voided.
The problem with Cushing’s is that it presents symptoms similar to that of other diseases. For instance, you’ll find both Cushing’s indications also on the list of UTI symptoms. Hence, it isn’t easy to distinguish this condition even if your dog has it.
Visit your veterinarian to discuss your dog’s incontinence. Be sure to mention their habit of drinking the pee. Normally, vets will want to do a UTI test first. If they rule it out, then they may move on to testingfor Cushing’s.
Additionally, your dog can also have both. So, push the vet to test for the latter condition. Testing involves taking blood and urine samples.
In either case, the vet will inform you if the test comes out to be positive. Depending on the condition, they will also give you the right medication. In less severe cases, it is possible to treat both Cushing’s and UTIs with medication. Just ensure that you complete the course, so your dog is rid of the condition. In a few days, they will stop reaching for their urine.
Read more about urinary issues and illnesses here.
Other Related Questions
Is Drinking Pee Dangerous for my Dog?
Your stomach might turn at the thought, but the truth is your dog will be perfectly okay. Dog pee is sterile and isn’t dangerous for them.
Why is My Dog Licking A Bitch’s Pee?
A lick or two will tell male pooches if a female’s in heat. You may even find your pet doing that in the presence of a spayed female dog. Doing this is an instinctual response, and we suggest keeping them away from a bitch if she is in heat.
What is the Flehmen Reaction? And is it even Normal?
There is evidence of Flehmen reaction occurring in various animals. More specifically, your dog will show interest in dipping their noses in a pool of another dog’s urine. Some licking will happen, and then your pet will freeze in place for a few seconds. Their tongue, on the other hand, will remain out and curled. That’s when they are displaying the Flehmen reaction — or the canine version of it.
Are you grossed out yet? Well, here’s why Fido’s doing that. There’s a spot behind their upper front teeth. It’s where two ducts lead to the vomeronasal organ. Your dog is imprinting the other dog’s scent when they act like this, and it’s normal doggie behavior.
Conclusion
Do you want to keep your fur baby from having accidents all the place? Then install that doggy door and train them to go out. Furthermore, grab some puppy pads and line their bed with them. So, that when they cannot leave, they still won’t soak the carpet.
Finally, recognizing exactly how your pet behaves when they have to go outside is useful too. As soon as your dog displays those signs, get them to the outside.