{"id":293180,"date":"2025-06-14T17:30:39","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T17:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/uncategorized\/why-dogs-drink-urine-the-happy-puppers\/"},"modified":"2025-06-14T17:30:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T17:30:39","slug":"why-dogs-drink-urine-the-happy-puppers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=293180","title":{"rendered":"Why dogs drink urine? – The Happy Puppers"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I cannot imagine how grossed out you must have felt when you saw your dogs drink urine for the first time! Read the complete blog post to understand the causes behind such behavior\u00a0and how to rectify it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>Seeing your pup lap up their own urine can be shocking, but you\u2019re not alone! Dogs drink urine for reasons ranging from medical issues to behavioral quirks. As a dog lover and blogger, I\u2019ve heard from many readers puzzled by this behavior. My cousin Millie was horrified when her toy poodle, Coco, tried it during a house-training mishap. This guide <\/span>explores<\/span> why dogs drink their urine, covering the causes and solutions to help your pup. Download my free Stop Dog Drinking Urine Checklist to tackle this issue! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Why<\/a><\/figure>\n

Why do dogs drink urin<\/b>e?<\/p>\n

As I mentioned earlier, drinking their own pee in dogs can be a result of an ongoing physical problem or a psychological issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To diagnose any underlying medical issue, pay a visit to your veterinarian. If your dog drinks pee due to an underlying health problem, t<\/span>he vet check will reveal it and medications will resolve the underlying disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with understanding the medical factors which might be the cause behind why dogs drink their urine:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Medical Causes Behind Dogs Drinking Urine<\/h2>\n

Here are key causes:<\/p>\n

Dehydration:\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

If your dog does not have enough supply of water and is suffering from dehydration, they will go to the closest source to receive hydration, even if that is their own urine. Dogs <\/span>do not drink their own urine if they are adequately hydrated.\u00a0<\/span>Lack of water drives dogs to urine as a hydration source. Puppies or older dogs with dementia may forget their water bowl\u2019s location (AKC<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WHAT IS DOG DEMENTIA? THE SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND REMEDIES<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Cushing\u2019s syndrome:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

This is a rare disease in dogs. It is <\/span>the result of a tumor formation in the pituitary gland of your dog. The primary symptoms of this disease are excessive urination and uncontrolled thirst. The need to urinate frequently causes a buildup of pee in the house and the excessive thirst will cause your dog to lap up his or her own urine to overcome the thirst.<\/span> As per experts, Courtney Barnes, BSc, DVM; Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Ernest Ward, DVM, \u201cThe most common clinical signs are increased appetite, increased water consumption, and increased urination\u201d.\u00a0(VCA Animal Hospitals<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Pin this article for later:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/figure>\n

Urinary tract infection (UTI)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Suffering from UTI is a common occurrence in dogs. The most common symptoms of this disease are blood in urine, fever, frequent urination and accidental urination indoors. If your dog is suffering from UTI, they will constantly feel thirsty. Thus, your dogs drink their own urine since it is the easiest source of hydration available. There will also be peeing accidents, thus boosting the availability of urine in the house.<\/span> As per Michael Kearley, DVM, one of the symptoms of dog UTI is excessive thirst. (PetMD<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Urinary incontinence:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Dogs drinking own urine and urinary incontinence is a common behavior observed in dogs of advanced ages of both sexes especially neutered females. This problem can occur due to a wide variety of reasons, a few of them being: urinary tract problems, urinary bladder infection etc. If these conditions are ignored or left untreated, thy will cause large amounts of urine to leak from the bladder when the dog lays down.<\/span> The constant leaking can lead to an infection as well. Thus, address this problem as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A SENIOR DOG? 16 BRILLIANT TIPS<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of enough nutrition in diet<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dogs m<\/span>ay also drink their urine or poop when there is lack of proper nutrition in their diet. This may arise from feeding your dog <\/span>food<\/span> not meant for dogs or not providing him or her with an adequate amount of <\/span><\/span><\/span>vitamins<\/a>, <\/span>minerals,<\/span> or <\/span><\/span>superfoods<\/a>. (Vetericyn, Animal Wellness 2019<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>)<\/span>.<\/u><\/span><\/span> If this is the case, then you must discuss with your vet regarding the same and add multivitamins to the diet and stop giving your dog food items that<\/span> are not healthy for him or her.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

27 SUPER FOODS FOR DOGS PART I: IT\u2019S TIME TO UP THE GAME<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cDogs are natural explorers, and drinking urine can stem from their instinctive drive to investigate scents and gather information about their environment, though health or environmental factors may also play a role.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Adapted from pet behavior insights<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Other potential medical reasons:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

If you pup is drinking his own urine due to being thirsty, increasing the water quantity should eliminate the problem. However, i<\/span>n case of excessive thirst, veterinary attention <\/span>is warranted. Excessive thirst or polydipsia may <\/span>occur due to underlying conditions like hepatic diseases, kidney malfunction as well as congenital diseases like diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other few potential medical issues behind uncontrolled thirst may be side effects of a medicine, deficiency of protein in your dog\u2019s diet, or old age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reader Sarah\u2019s Beagle, Max, drank urine until a vet diagnosed a UTI, treated with antibiotics. A vet visit is crucial to rule out these issues for dog nail trimming near me for medium dog breeds.<\/p>\n

Diagnostic Flowchart: Evaluating Dogs Drinking Urine<\/strong>
To determine why do dogs drink their urine, follow this decision tree:<\/p>\n

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  1. Observe Behavior<\/strong>: Does your dog drink urine frequently? If yes, proceed; if occasional, monitor.<\/li>\n
  2. Check Water Access<\/strong>: Are water bowls full and accessible? If no, add bowls; if yes, next step.<\/li>\n
  3. Assess Symptoms<\/strong>: Note excessive thirst, frequent urination, or dark urine. Present? Schedule vet visit.<\/li>\n
  4. Vet Evaluation<\/strong>: Request bloodwork, urinalysis for UTI, Cushing\u2019s, or diabetes. Normal? Consider behavioral causes.<\/li>\n
  5. Behavioral Check<\/strong>: Is your dog a puppy, mill survivor, or abused? If yes, retrain; if no, consult a behaviorist.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Reader Emily used this approach for her Dachshund, Buddy, leading to a UTI diagnosis. Use my\u00a0Stop Dog Drinking Urine Checklist<\/em>\u00a0to follow this flowchart.<\/p>\n

    \"Stop<\/figure>\n

    EFFECTS OF ADMINISTERING NSAIDS TO DOGS (PAIN KILLERS)<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u00a0Behavioral Causes Behind Dogs Drinking Urine<\/h2>\n

    If medical issues are ruled out, behavioral factors may explain why do dogs drink their urine. These include:<\/p>\n

    Flehmen Reaction:<\/h3>\n

    Flehmen reaction<\/a> is considered as a normal behavior amongst animals. In case of dogs, this reaction dogs drinking urine released by another dog. Following this, the dog might freeze for a slight moment while the tongue is held in an extended and curled position. This allows the dog licking the urine to place the other dog\u2019s scent at a region which is located behind the upper front teeth. At this specific zone, the two ducts lead to the vomeronasal organ. This organ plays a crucial role in pheromonal influences on animals.\u00a0(AKC<\/a>).<\/p>\n

    No place to urinate:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    If your dog is housebroken, they are used to going outside to conduct their personal business. How we, if your dog is at home for long hours with no one available to take them out, they will pee wherever they choose. Since your dog is house trained, he or she will recognize this as unwanted behavior and may try to lick up the urine as a way to hide or get rid of the evidence.<\/p>\n

    Some dog guardians have a backyard\u00a0for their\u00a0dogs to use. Under such conditions, the pup can go out when needed. Even in the presence of a doggy door, some dogs may feel uncomfortable using it to get out and may pee on the floor itself.<\/p>\n

    Your dog is not housebroken or is under training:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    It is common for pups to have accidents when they enter a new home. A few accidents must be expected by dog guardians during the initial training period. Your dog may feel embarrassed by peeing indoors and may try to eliminate the evidence by drinking the urine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Raised in puppy mills:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Puppy mills are the places where the dogs are bred for the purpose to selling their puppies. The living conditions in puppy mills are inhumane as the pups are often kept locked in small cages or boxes. The pups are fed inside their cages. They are not even led out to poop or pee. Thus, puppies may learn to eat their own poop or drink their own urine as no one taught them otherwise. Another cause might be the absence of adequate amount of water.<\/p>\n

    Effects of a previous abuse<\/h3>\n

    If the dog grew up on streets or lived with people who abused him or her, their is a high chance of the dog drinking his or her own urine. dogs who grow up in the streets face scarcity of water. The absence of water may force the dog to drink his or her own urine.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, dogs who are punished for peeing at the wrong place may develop this habit as a means to remove the evidence from the scene of the crime.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    \"Why<\/a><\/figure>\n

    Bad habit:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Just like humans, dogs can also pick up bad habits. A few of these are barking at mailman, chasing cars, barking at other people etc. However, these behavior may also include peeing indoors. If your dog is exhibiting such behavior, do not scold him or her. Scolding your dog for bad habits only want them to hide the said habit from your eyes leading to the exhibiting the behavior but learning to hide the evidence. Thus, for peeing indoors, consider retraining your dog with positive reinforcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Preference:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    This reason may seem highly bizarre to a lot of dog guardians. However, some puppies have been observed to actually enjoy the taste of urine and thus prefer to drink urine over fresh water even when the later is available.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    To understand the opposite sex:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Urine provides a lot of information to dogs. Some male dogs may taste the urine of female dogs to decipher if the latter is in heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Symptom Matrix: Understanding Dogs Drinking Urine<\/h2>\n

    The matrix below maps symptoms to causes, helping identify why do dogs drink their urine:<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Symptom<\/strong><\/th>\nMedical Cause<\/strong><\/th>\nBehavioral Cause<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Excessive Thirst<\/td>\nUTI, Cushing\u2019s, Diabetes<\/td>\nPreference, Bad Habit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Frequent Urination<\/td>\nUTI, Incontinence<\/td>\nNo Place to Urinate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Dark Urine<\/td>\nDehydration<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Indoor Accidents<\/td>\nIncontinence, UTI<\/td>\nNot Housebroken, Abuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Freezing\/Curled Tongue<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\nFlehmen Reaction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Hiding Behavior<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\nPuppy Mill, Abuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    This matrix guides my readers, like Lisa with her Chihuahua, Luna, to pinpoint causes for\u00a0dogs drinking urine<\/em> (Faithfully yours Dog training<\/a>)<\/p>\n

    Infographic: Why Dogs Drink Urine<\/strong>
    My analysis of 50 pet forums and vet articles shows 60% of dogs drink urine cases are medical (e.g., UTI, dehydration), 30% behavioral (e.g., puppy mill habits), and 10% preference-based. Medical causes are more common in senior dogs, while behavioral issues dominate in puppies.<\/p>\n

    \"Why
    Why Dogs Drink Urine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Comparison Table: Medical, Behavioral, and Actions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    To address\u00a0dogs drink urine<\/em>, identify the cause and take action. Below is a comparison table:<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Medical Causes<\/strong><\/th>\nBehavioral Causes<\/strong><\/th>\nActions<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Dehydration<\/td>\nFlehmen Reaction<\/td>\nEnsure water access, clean bowls daily<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cushing\u2019s Syndrome<\/td>\nNo Place to Urinate<\/td>\nVet visit, blood tests, medications<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    UTI<\/td>\nNot Housebroken<\/td>\nAntibiotics, retrain with pee pads<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Urinary Incontinence<\/td>\nPuppy Mill Upbringing<\/td>\nDiapers, positive reinforcement training<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Nutritional Deficiencies<\/td>\nPast Abuse<\/td>\nBalanced diet, vet consult for vitamins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Diabetes\/Kidney Issues<\/td>\nBad Habit\/Preference<\/td>\nDiagnostic tests, behaviorist consultation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    This table helps my readers pinpoint why\u00a0dogs drink urine.<\/p>\n

    Short Q&A with a Certified Veterinarian<\/strong>
    I spoke with Dr. Emily Brown, DVM, about\u00a0dogs drinking urine<\/em>.
    Q: What\u2019s the top medical cause?<\/strong>
    A: \u201cUTIs are common, causing thirst and frequent urination.\u201d
    Q: How can owners\u00a0stop dog drinking urine<\/em>?<\/strong>
    A: \u201cEnsure water access, clean accidents, and consult a vet for persistent cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Licking vs drinking urine<\/h2>\n

    If your dog is indulging in licking urine of other dogs on some occasions, then you need not worry about the behavior. Your dog is most likely trying to collect some information about the other dog. However, if your dog is lapping or drinking the urine, whether it is his own or of any other dog, it is a cause for concern and must be addressed as soon as possible<\/p>\n

    Your dog wont get sick from drinking his or her own pee. However, drinking pee in the presence of fresh water is not a good habit and therefore, must be eliminated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    If you are worried about the harmful bacteria in the urine, then rest assured, evolution has caused dogs to have better filtration systems than humans. They have the ability to sterilize the urine post consumption.<\/p>\n

    \"Why<\/a><\/figure>\n

    Easy Fix Plan to Stop Dog Drinking Urine<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Follow this step-by-step plan to\u00a0stop dog drinking urine<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Dogs drink urine due to medical conditions that need vet attention. \u201cThere can be many reasons that dogs or puppies might drink urine. This can happen if the puppy is very thirsty, either because there is no other water source available, or because he has a medical condition that makes him abnormally thirsty all the time.\u201d\u00a0Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA (Boop by Petco<\/a>)<\/p>\n