Have you ever wondered if antibiotics make dogs pee more?
If you’ve ever had a dog, there’s a good chance that you have. And if your dog has had to take antibiotics, there’s also a good chance that it happened at some point. We often get this complained about when some dogs are on antibiotics peeing everywhere.
But what does this really mean? Are antibiotics responsible for making dogs pee more, or is there another reason that’s causing your dog to have accidents?
Antibiotics are one of the most common ways to treat infections in humans and animals alike. They have saved countless lives over the years, but sometimes they can have side effects that aren’t very pleasant for either party involved.
So, do antibiotics make dogs pee more?
The answer is yes. Certain antibiotics make dogs pee more.
Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, which is great for humans and dogs alike. But when dogs take certain antibiotics, their kidneys may temporarily stop working as well as they should. This causes them to pee more frequently than normal—and if they’re not careful about keeping their bodies hydrated, it could cause dehydration in extreme cases.
Which antibiotics make dogs pee more?
Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat infections. They do this by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, not all antibiotics are safe for dogs. Some of them can cause damage to your dog’s kidneys, making him urinate more frequently than usual.
Aminoglycosides (gentamicin and amikacin), amphotericin B, vancomycin, beta-lactam antibiotics (cefazolin and ceftriaxone) can interfere with kidneys (source). Amoxicillin also interferes with normal kidney functions (source).
Thus these antibiotics can make dogs pee more.
What other medications can make dogs pee more?
Not only the above antibiotics but also there are other medications that can make your dog urinate more frequently than usual. These medications include:
1. Diuretics
Diuretics are a type of medication that causes you to urinate more often. If your dog is taking these, they may need to go outside more frequently—and once they’re outside, it might take them longer than normal to finish peeing because their kidneys are working harder.
2. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
TCAs are used to treat depression in humans and dogs alike. They have a wide variety of side effects, including an increase in thirst and urination. If your vet has prescribed your dog this medication, you should be prepared for them to pee more than normal while they’re on it.
3. Antihistamines
Antihistamines are used to treat allergies or other respiratory problems in dogs like asthma or bronchitis by blocking the release of histamine from cells where it’s stored which reduces itching associated with certain conditions like grass pollen allergies (or even skin allergies). But as with all medications that affect bodily systems like histamine production/release, antihistamines can have several side effects including an increase in urination.
4. Decongestants
These drugs work by constricting blood vessels, which increases blood pressure and makes it harder for fluid to flow out of the body. Therefore, they’re often used for colds and allergies—they shrink swollen tissues in the nose and throat. But they can also cause urinary retention and bladder spasms in dogs.
5. Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are drugs that are used to treat hypertension. They work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, which allows them to expand more easily and lower blood pressure. However, these medications may cause the bladder to relax as well, affecting its ability to empty properly. This can lead to a buildup of urine in the bladder, which can cause your dog to pee more than usual.
6. Mood Stabilizers
These drugs help to balance the mood of your dog. They can treat conditions such as anxiety, fear, or depression. If your dog has been prescribed this medication, it is important that you follow the instructions given by your vet closely. This will help you keep your dog’s mood balanced and prevent any side effects from occurring such as increased urination or drinking too much water.
7. Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are also used to treat behavioral problems in dogs like aggression or anxiety. These drugs can lead to an increase in urination and thirst because they affect how much fluid your body absorbs from food or other sources (such as water bowls).
8. Some Medications for Type 2 Diabetes
There are many medications used to treat type 2 diabetes in dogs. The most common are sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2 inhibitors) that work by increasing the amount of glucose or blood sugar your kidneys excrete and pass through urine, which takes fluid with it. This medication can cause your dog’s urine output to increase.
What are the most common reasons for excessive urination in dogs?
Here are some of the most common reasons dogs might pee more than usual:
1) Your dog might have a urinary tract infection. If your dog has been urinating less frequently and seems uncomfortable when he does go, it could be a sign of an UTI. Dogs with UTIs might also have blood in their urine or painful urination. If you think your dog might have a UTI, make an appointment with your vet right away.
2) Your dog might have diabetes mellitus (a type of diabetes). Diabetes can cause frequent urination in dogs and cats because as the body tries to process glucose (sugar), it results in excess urine production. If you think your dog has diabetes, make sure you’re taking him for regular check-ups with his vet so he can get the proper treatment.
3) Your dog might be pregnant! Some female dogs will show signs of pregnancy by having increased thirst and increased urination during their first trimester (the first 12 weeks).
What do you do if your dog pee more than usual?
If your dog is peeing more than usual, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. The good news: there are a few simple things you can do to help your dog get back to normal and keep him healthy.
First, make sure that your dog’s litter box is clean and dry. If it’s not, this can cause infections or other problems. This can also lead to dogs urinating in inappropriate places like carpeting or furniture.
Next, make sure that you’re giving your dog plenty of fresh water throughout the day. Dogs need a lot of water to stay hydrated so that they don’t have accidents because of dehydration.
Finally, talk with a vet if these changes in behavior persist for several days or if they’re accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Discuss with your vet if the antibiotics are responsible for these changes in behavior. If you’re giving your dog antibiotics for another reason, then discuss if there are alternative medications that doesn’t affect their renal system.
Conclusion
So, do antibiotics make dogs pee more? We have the answer for you: yes and no. It depends on the dog and the antibiotic.
The answer is “yes” if your dog is taking an antibiotic that makes them urinate more, like Aminoglycosides, Amoxicillin, Amphotericin B, Vancomycin and beta-lactam antibiotics. But if your dog’s antibiotic isn’t known to make them pee more, then it probably doesn’t.
But it’s something to be aware of if you notice a change in your dog’s behavior after taking antibiotics. In most cases, the increased urination will last for just a few days after your dog finishes the course of antibiotics; however, if you see persistent changes in your dog’s behavior after stopping antibiotics, talk with your vet.
If you see any signs of infection or other symptoms like lethargy or lack of appetite, get in touch with your vet immediately.