Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Dogs can do some pretty weird and gross things sometimes! Think of how they love to roll in dead things or eat roadkill that’s been around for quite a while. Then there are male dogs that drink their own urine. Yuck!
Why on earth would a male dog drink his own urine? Is that even a thing?
We got this question and did the research to see if this is really something a male dog might do. You might be surprised by the information we found! Let’s get started!
Why Does a Male Dog Drink His Own Urine?
It is a real thing that a male dog may drink his own urine. There are some real issues that could cause a dog to drink his urine, including:
- Dehydration
A male dog may drink his own urine if he’s dehydrated. Dogs that are in the heat all day long without fresh water would have to resort to drinking their own urine just to try and survive. When dogs don’t have water, they look for anything to drink, including their own urine.
- Underlying Medical Issues
A male dog may also drink his own pee if he has an underlying medical condition. For instance, diabetes may make a dog more thirsty. If the dog runs out of water, he may drink his urine instead.
Other conditions that may cause a dog to drink his own urine include Cushing’s syndrome, kidney disease, and more.
- Hide an Accident
Dogs that are very stressed may drink their urine to hide the fact they had a urine accident. It’s possible for the dog to feel so stressed and fearful of punishment that he resorts to hiding the issue.
How to Help Your Dog
The first consideration is whether your dog has enough water. Is his water bowl always accessible and filled with clean water? If not, it’s imperative to ensure his water is always full. You may want to change the water throughout the day, too, especially during hot weather. Make a commitment to check your dog’s water dish throughout the day and keep it filled. This may help him stop drinking his own urine.
The next consideration is whether your dog could have an underlying medical condition. You’ve noticed your dog is drink his own pee. Have you noticed any other symptoms? Does he seem lethargic? Has he stopped eating? Does he have a lot of vomiting and diarrhea? If your fur baby seems to show symptoms of a medical issue, it’s best to make an appointment with the vet. Your dog needs to be examined. Most conditions can be successfully treated by the vet, helping your dog to stop drinking his own urine.
Finally, does your dog seem stressed and scared? Is he worried about being punished for an accident? If so, you may need to show more patience and an increased commitment that your fur baby gets outside when he needs to. When he can get out to pee, he won’t have accidents in the house.
If your dog is drinking his own urine, be sure to pay more attention to him and observe him throughout the day. You may be able to solve the problem on your own. But if your dog has symptoms of a medical problem, he needs to see the vet for an evaluation.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now