How Long Can a Dachshund Hold Its Bladder? [Health Alert]

Do you have a dachshund? If so, I think you will know exactly what I mean when I say that they have a mind of their own, and sometimes, it can be really difficult to understand their needs.

One thing that is often overlooked is the bladder capacity of your furry friend.

How long can a Dachshund hold its bladder?

The length of time a Dachshund can hold its bladder can vary depending on factors such as age, health, activity level, and size. As a general rule, adult Dachshunds can typically hold their bladder for 4-8 hours, while puppies and senior dogs may need to go more frequently.

In this blog, we’ll explore the normal bladder capacity for a dachshund, common factors that can affect it, how to recognize and treat bladder issues, and ways to help your dachshund with its bladder capacity.

4 Factors That Affect a Dachshund’s Bladder Control

Dachshunds, just like any other dog breed, have their own unique bladder control needs.

A common theme is the factors that can affect how long a Dachshund can hold its bladder, which includes the dog’s age, health, activity level, and size.

1. Age

Younger puppies and older senior dogs tend to have less bladder control than adult dogs, which means that they typically need to go outside more frequently.

2. Health

Similarly, if a Dachshund has any health issues such as a urinary tract infection, this can surely affect its bladder, causing it to need more frequent potty breaks.

3. Activity levels

Dachshunds that are more active and playful are likely to need more frequent potty breaks than those that are less active or have a more sedentary lifestyle.

This is because physical activity can increase blood flow to the bladder and stimulate the need to urinate.

4. Size

Another factor that affects a Dachshund’s bladder control is its size, and I mean when compared to other breeds.

Smaller dogs, like Dachshunds, tend to have smaller bladders, which naturally means they need to go outside more frequently than larger dogs.

Bladder Control for Dachshunds

Dachshund puppies need more breaks throughout the day to relieve themselves, and as a general rule of thumb, I always recommend once every 2 hours.

For senior dogs that are healthy, a break every 2 to 4 hours is sufficient.

On average, an adult Dachshund can hold its bladder for around 4-8 hours.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you should leave your Dachshund inside for 8 hours straight without any potty breaks.

Every dog is unique and has its own needs, so it’s important to pay attention to your Dachshund’s behavior and adjust its potty schedule accordingly.

For example, if you notice that your Dachshund starts to whine or pace around the house, it’s probably time to go.

And, if your Dachshund is a puppy or a senior dog, they will need to go more frequently, so be sure to take that into account when planning their potty breaks.

Remember, it’s important to know that holding it in for too long can be harmful to your Dachshund’s health, as it can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other health issues.

So, always err on the side of caution and provide your dog with plenty of opportunities to relieve themselves!

What Are the Risks of Holding It in?

In a way very similar to us humans, holding in their pee for too long can pose several risks for your Dachshund.

Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): When dogs hold their urine in for extended periods of time, it can lead to the development of bacteria in their urinary tract. This can result in a painful infection, and your Dachshund may show signs of discomfort, such as frequent urination, accidents in the house, or straining to urinate. Sad to say, this condition may affect up to 14% of all dogs.
2. Bladder Stones: Holding in urine for too long can also lead to the development of bladder stones in Dachshunds. These are small mineral deposits that form in the bladder and can cause pain and discomfort when your dog tries to urinate.
3. Kidney Damage: If your Dachshund frequently holds their urine for long periods of time, it can put a strain on its kidneys. Why? The kidneys play an essential role in filtering waste products and excess water from the blood, which are then excreted through urine. If urine is held in the bladder for an extended period, it can cause back pressure on the kidneys, which can damage the delicate structures inside.
4. Behavioral Issues: If your Dachshund is consistently holding their urine, it can also lead to behavioral issues. They may become anxious or stressed about going potty, which can result in accidents in the house or other destructive behaviors.

CUTE DACHSHUND WITH HISTORY OF BLADDER TROUBLES GETS A URETHROSCOPY AND STONE REMOVAL

Watch this video on YouTube.

Managing Your Dachshund’s Bladder Needs

It’s really not that complicated a subject, but unfortunately, our dogs can’t tell us exactly when they need to go! Which is why we need to be on top of things and make sure they don’t get neglected.

Here are my top tips for managing this:

1. Establish a regular potty routine: Dachshunds thrive on routine, so it’s essential to establish a regular potty routine. Take them outside first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. Praise and reward them when they go potty outside to reinforce good behavior.
2. Provide plenty of opportunities to relieve themselves: Make sure your Dachshund has plenty of opportunities to go potty throughout the day. Not at home during the day? Can you get a friend or neighbor to help? Or you might need to hire a dog walker.
3. Consider using pee pads or a doggy door: If your Dachshund is having difficulty holding their urine or you’re unable to take them outside as often as they need, consider using pee pads or installing a doggy door to provide them with more opportunities to relieve themselves.
4. Train your dachshund to signal when they need to go: You can train your Dachshund to signal when they need to go potty by teaching them a specific command or using a bell or doorbell. This can help prevent accidents in the house and improve communication between you and your furry friend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In Conclusion: How Long Can a Dachshund Hold Its Bladder?

Although there are general guidelines for how long a Dachshund can hold its bladder, you must know that every dog is different and there are many factors that can affect their bladder control.

What’s most important for you as a dog owner is to constantly pay attention to your dog’s behavior, providing them with plenty of opportunities to go outside, and address any urinary concerns quickly.

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