Dog urine problems – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Contact a vet today

This can have a serious cause – contact your vet today if any of the warning signs below apply, or if you are unsure. Different urine and bladder problems can cause signs such as blood in the urine, difficulty peeing, leaking urine and increased thirst.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Unable to pee

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Urine problems can be linked to different bladder problems, including a urine infection.^[1] Being unable to pee can be a life-threatening condition.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Blood in the urine
Frequent peeing
Leaking urine
Pain when peeing
Peeing in unusual places
Blood dripping from the penis or vulva
Drinking more than usual

Possible causes

Urine infection
Bladder stones
Blocked bladder
Tumour
Nerve problems
Injury

What the experts say

“Blood in urine ; Frequent peeing ; Leaking urine ; Pain peeing ; Peeing in unusual places ; Blood dripping from the penis/vulva ; Drinking more than usual”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can urine problems cause in dogs?

Signs can include blood in the urine, frequent peeing, leaking urine, pain when peeing, peeing in unusual places, blood dripping from the penis or vulva, and drinking more than usual.^[1]

When is a urine problem an emergency?

Contact your vet for an emergency appointment if your dog is unable to pee.^[1]

What might the vet do?

Your vet will likely examine your dog and test their urine to look for common conditions such as a urine infection.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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