How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Pee? 5 Ways to Avoid Accidents

There's nothing quite like coming home to your four-legged best friend: their excited wagging tail, the happy tap-dance sound of their nails on the floor, and even some joyful yips to grab your attention. The moment can feel so special and rewarding...until you discover a potty accident nearby.  

Whether you’ve welcomed a new puppy to the family or have an older furry friend who struggles with bladder control, it’s likely you’ve wondered, “how long can dogs hold their pee?” Learn when pups need to take potty breaks and what you can do to help avoid future mishaps.  

How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Pee? 

Dogs come in all different sizes—and so do their bladders! In fact, how long a dog can go without peeing can be affected by a pup’s age, size, health, environment, and training. The average amount of time your furry friends can “hold it” depends on their life stage: 

Puppy: 15–60 minutes 

If you’re wondering why your puppy is peeing inside, you’re not alone! Puppies need to relieve themselves every 15 minutes to an hour, so expect your pup to “go” soon after drinking water. A general rule is to take them out every hour for every month of age. If your pup is three months old, prepare for them to go potty at least every three hours. Around nine months old, their bladder becomes similar in size to an adult dog.  

Adult Dog: 6–8 hours 

As dogs grow and their bladders become larger, they can hold their pee for a longer amount of time. A typical adult dog can wait to go potty between six and eight hours. Larger dogs can generally hold their pee longer than small dogs, but every furry friend is different and may not have the same capacity.  

Senior Dog: 4–6 hours 

Caring for elderly dogs often comes with a unique set of responsibilities. As pooches get older, they tend to lose strength in the muscles around their bladder, which can lead to a weaker bladder sphincter and loss of bladder control. Unfortunately, senior dogs are also more susceptible to kidney and urinary tract infections, which may shorten the duration of time they can hold their pee.  

 

🐾 Related: How to Potty Train an Older Dog

5 Ways to Avoid Potty Accidents 

From physically strengthening the bladder to planning potty breaks before you leave home, here are a few ways to help stop your dog from peeing on the floor. 

#1: Establish a Potty Routine 

Potty training is a seemingly obvious first step to stopping accidents. However, establishing a routine that will ensure your dog doesn't hold their pee too long can take some time.  

• Plan a routine that fits your schedule. If you're not an early riser, then start training your pup to go out at a time you can consistently commit to.  
• Track when your dog pees and identify any patterns to their accidents. If they always pee overnight, they might be drinking too much water before bed or need to go out for a potty break later at night. 
• Monitor their water intake. Many potty accidents happen because pet parents don’t notice their dog drinking a full bowl of water right before they leave.  

#2: Extend Time Between Potty Breaks Gradually  

Did you know that housetraining can help strengthen your dog’s bladder muscles? In fact, there may even be a physiological difference between the bladders of housetrained dogs and those who are not! A study from the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine suggests that dogs who are not housebroken may have a smaller bladder capacity. This means it’s possible to help train your dog to hold their pee longer. Gradually extend the time between potty breaks to help strengthen their bladder muscles. 

 

#3: Hire a Dog Walker  

Finding someone to walk your dog while you’re gone for the day is not only exercise for your pup, but their chance for a potty break. If you’re looking to hire someone you’ve never met, talk to them beforehand and see if they’re a good fit for your dog. Some questions you can ask include: 

• What is your experience working with dogs? 
• What training do you have to handle emergency situations? 
• Do you have a veterinary contact? 
• What hours and days are you available? 
• Are you available on short notice? 

🐾 Related: How to Find a Pet Sitter You Can Trust 

#4: Train Your Dog to Use an Indoor Potty 

Training your dog to use Wee-Wee® Pads, a washable dog pee pad, or a potty system are simple ways to help avoid potty accidents. You’ll control where your dog goes plus give them freedom to relieve themselves whenever necessary. If you give your dog a “go” spot indoors, they won’t have to hold their bladder all day or pee in unwanted areas of the home.  

It’s better for your dog to pee when they need to rather than hold it too long. So, providing them an indoor option offers the flexibility to relieve themselves in an emergency—and avoid the risk of a urinary health problem.  

 

#5: See If It’s a Submissive Behavior 

Dogs who pee when they feel big emotions like excitement, anxiety, or other types of stimulation often experience submissive urination. This behavior is one of the ways our four-legged friends communicate that we are in charge.  

If you notice your dog peeing in response to their emotions, it’s likely a behavioral problem and less of a physiological issue. Regular potty training, keeping a calm energy when you arrive home, and teaching basic commands can help discourage submissive urination. 

  

Is It Bad If Dogs Hold Their Pee? 

Yes, it is bad for dogs to hold their pee for an extended period! How long a dog can hold their pee depends on the individual pup, but holding their bladder can result in health problems like urinary tract infections, bladder infections, bladder stones or crystals, and kidney stones. Many of these conditions can cause incontinence in dogs, which may lead to an unfortunate cycle for you and your furry friend. Seek advice from your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s urinary health.  

If your dog has a health condition that makes it challenging to hold their pee, consider using a dog diaper to keep them comfortable. This is also a great option for those pups who struggle with mobility and can’t reach their potty spot in time.  

Accidents Happen! 

As much as we’d love to predict when our pups need to go, every dog is different and will have their own unique schedule. Don’t feel defeated if your puppy has multiple accidents or even if you need to re-potty train your adult dog. It’ll take time (and a few extra cleanups), but you and your furry friend will have that potty plan figured out soon! 

“How long can dogs hold their pee?” isn’t the only potty question you may be wondering about. Learn how to train a dog to pee outside.