If your dog is drinking his pee, there may be several causes. Some of them are dehydration and nutritional issues, while others may be behavioral in nature and a sign of something more serious. However, urine-drinking is not always a sign of a medical problem, and you can keep a close eye on your pooch and his associated behaviors to rule out serious issues. Below are some common causes of urine-drinking in dogs.
Your dog may be drinking urine because he is afraid of the punishment you’ll hand out. While yelling or swatting him with a rolled-up piece of paper will likely make him stop drinking, it can actually be worse. Instead, take him outside. Often, a simple “no” is all your pooch needs to stop drinking his pee. Other causes of urine-drinking in dogs include fear or medical conditions.
Urinary incontinence in older dogs may be caused by a protein deficiency. A deficiency in proteins and other nutrients can make your dog drink his own pee. The dehydration may lead to a strong smell and the dog may strain to urinate. Ultimately, the behavior may be indicative of something else. If it persists, you should seek medical attention. If the problem persists, your pet may need some type of medication.
Besides being bored, many dogs have an underlying medical condition that causes pica. Some of the causes of pica are unknown, but are often related to environmental stressors and boredom. Other causes include a nutritional imbalance or a parasite infestation. Regardless of the cause, treating pica requires addressing the underlying problem and training the dog to avoid the behavior altogether. The best way to deal with it is to consult with a veterinarian.
Another cause of why your dog is drinking his pee is a bacterial infection called leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is transmitted to dogs through the urine of wild animals. Dogs may contract leptospirosis by drinking the urine of unknown animals. If you suspect your dog of having this illness, visit your veterinarian immediately. They will be able to diagnose your dog’s underlying condition and recommend the proper treatment.
While most veterinarians do not recommend giving your dog urine, many pet owners have noticed that their dogs lick other dogs’ urine. The urine of another dog is a way for the dog to learn about the other dog. It also helps the dog get fluids when it’s dehydrated. Moreover, dogs are very opportunistic when it comes to food and water. Hence, licking the urine of another dog can help your dog learn about it.
While preventing your dog from peeing in the house is the best option, your dog may still need to relieve himself outside. If you take him outside to relieve itself, he’s probably accustomed to this. However, you should take note that he may not be housebroken yet and still be susceptible to urine-pee accidents. If your dog pees outside, you may want to remove the water dish overnight.
