You may have had your dog for years, and you know them better than anyone. But with their urine, there are still things you might not know about.
One of those things is that their urine can be clear and odorless—and what does this mean?
This blog will explore the causes of clear, odorless urine in dogs, as well as what you should do if your dog has this condition. First, let’s explore the reasons:
Reasons your dog’s urine is clear
There are several reasons your dog’s urine may appear clear. If you’re not sure what’s going on, here are some of the most common.
1. It’s just water
Dogs drink and urinate more than any other mammal on the planet, and because they don’t eat as much as most humans, they pee a lot more often too. If your dog is drinking more than usual, or if he’s been exercising more than usual (which means he’ll need to pee even more), his urine will be clearer than usual. This is normal.
2. Your dog has diabetes
If your pooch has diabetes, his urine will be clear because it can’t hold on to all of its color anymore. Diabetes is treatable with medication, so don’t worry—your best friend will get better soon.
3. Your dog has kidney disease
If your dog has kidney disease, his urine will be clear. This is because the kidneys can no longer concentrate urine.
4. Cushing’s disease
If your dog has Cushing’s disease, his urine will be clear because the body is keeping more water. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
5. Side effects of some medications
If your dog has taken medication for a long time, his urine may be clear. This is because some medications have side effects that make the body keep more water and excrete less urine. Also, some medications can alter kidney health and make urine clear.
Reasons your dog’s urine is odorless
Your dog’s urine is odorless when it’s fresh, but not always. Here are four reasons:
1. He/she could drink a lot of water which will dilute the urine and make it less odorous.
2) Your dog hasn’t been eating as much. If your pup isn’t getting enough nutrients, or if he’s on a diet, his urine will have less smell than usual.
3) Your dog is taking medication that affects how his body processes nutrients and produces smelly stuff. If you’re giving your dog medications for pain or infection prevention, it could affect how his urine smells.
4) You’ve recently changed the type of food you feed your dog. If you recently switched from one brand to another, or from canned food to dry food, your pup’s urine may smell different for a few days as his body gets used to the new diet. The same goes for switching from wet food to dry food—your pooch will need time to adjust.
What to do if your dog’s urine is clear and odorless?
If your dog’s urine is clear and odorless, it’s probably nothing to worry about. It will be corrected within a few days. However, if your dog has clear, odorless urine and has been drinking more than usual or acting unusually lethargic, then you should take him to the vet as soon as possible.
If your dog’s urine is clear and odorless after a few days of treatment for another condition or illness, then it’s also likely not a cause for concern. Just make sure that he’s still drinking plenty of water and eating regularly—and if he’s not, then something else may go on. Always keep in touch with a vet.
FAQs regarding urine of your dog
We have listed some of the frequently asked questions you might want to know about your dog’s urine, so here they are:
What does healthy dog pee look like?
Healthy dog pee is light yellow, with a slight ammonia smell. It can vary in color depending on the dog’s diet and health status. If you are concerned about your dog’s urine color, consult with a veterinarian.
What does my dog’s pee color mean?
If your dog’s urine is dark or cloudy and smells like strong ammonia, it could mean that he is dehydrated or has a urinary tract infection (UTI). Other causes of dark urine include liver disease, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. If your dog has been urinating more often than normal and/or appears to be straining more than usual while doing so, this may be another sign of UTI or other medical problems.
Red, Brown, or Orange color means there is blood in the urine. It could be because of infection or kidney stones.
The most common cause for discolored urine in dogs is dehydration. As a general rule of thumb, if you notice any changes in your pet’s appearance—including their eyesight or appetite—you should contact your vet as soon as possible.
When to worry about if my dog’s urine is clear and odorless?
The color and odor of your dog’s urine can be a good indicator of the health and wellbeing of your pup. If you notice that your dog’s urine is clear and odorless, there’s no need to worry—this is normal for many dogs. However, if it persists for more than a couple days or if you see signs of dehydration, then you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
How often should a dog pee?
It depends on the size of your dog and his age. For a puppy, it’s normal to urinate every 3-4 hours. Healthy adult dogs need to urinate at 6-10 hour intervals.
How much should a dog pee?
A healthy adult dog should produce 10-20 ml urine per pound of body weight per day. So, for example, if your dog weighs 15 pounds, he should urinate between 150 and 300 ml each day. However, this is just a rule of thumb—it’s not an exact measure.
If you’re worried about your dog’s peeing habits, try measuring how much he produces in a day by putting him on a leash and taking him outside whenever you see him sniffing around or squatting down. Then collect his urine in a cup and measure it at home.
If you find your dog is producing more than the “normal” amount, then talk with your vet about whether there might be something wrong (like diabetes).
Conclusion
It is important to remember that if your dog’s urine is clear and odorless, it does not mean that he is in perfect health.
Maybe it’s as simple as he is drinking too much water. Or something more complicated like underlying health conditions.
If you notice other symptoms of illness or infection besides this symptom, then you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.