The Scoop on Dog Pee: What Your Dog’s Potty Habits Say About Their Health
Friends of the Dog
Friends of the Dog
When it comes to your dog’s health, what shows up in their water bowl isn’t the only thing to watch — what comes out matters too! Your dog’s pee can actually tell you a lot about how they’re feeling inside. Let’s take a closer look at what’s normal, what’s not, and when to give your vet a call.
What’s Normal?
Healthy dog urine usually ranges from clear to light yellow or pale amber. That means your pup is well-hydrated and everything’s functioning as it should.
Here’s what the shades can mean:
If you notice any of these colors or changes, it’s time to check in with your vet:
Paw Note
Your dog can’t tell you when something’s wrong — but their pee just might! Keeping an eye on color, smell, and frequency can give you early clues about your pup’s health.
What’s Normal?
Healthy dog urine usually ranges from clear to light yellow or pale amber. That means your pup is well-hydrated and everything’s functioning as it should.
Here’s what the shades can mean:
- Clear to light yellow: Perfect! Your dog is drinking enough water.
- Darker yellow or amber: The urine is more concentrated. This can happen after lots of exercise or if your dog hasn’t had much to drink — usually nothing to worry about if it clears up after some water.
- Small daily changes: Totally normal. Diet, water intake, or even certain medications can make minor differences in color from day to day.
If you notice any of these colors or changes, it’s time to check in with your vet:
- Red or pink: This could mean there’s blood in the urine — possibly from an infection, stones, or injury. Definitely worth an urgent vet visit.
- Brown: Sometimes linked to muscle damage or breakdown (a serious issue known as rhabdomyolysis). Get emergency care.
- Orange: Can signal liver problems or issues with the bile ducts.
- Cloudy or murky: Might point to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or crystals in the urine.
- Greenish tint: Uncommon, but could mean a bacterial infection that needs specific treatment.
- Keep the water bowl full: Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water to stay hydrated.
- Pay attention to other signs: If your dog seems tired, refuses food, or seems to be in pain along with changes in urine color, call your vet.
- Don’t wait too long: If the pee looks off for more than a day or two, or matches any of the concerning colors above, it’s best to get it checked out.
Paw Note
Your dog can’t tell you when something’s wrong — but their pee just might! Keeping an eye on color, smell, and frequency can give you early clues about your pup’s health.
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