Potty Watch: How Often Should Your Dog Go?

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Most pet parents have had occasion to wonder just how long their dog can go without peeing — the question often arises as they’re rushing home to give their furry family member a long overdue walk outside
• To answer the question, you can do some urine production/bladder capacity math to figure out how long is too long for a dog your dog’s size, or you can go with the standard guideline: a normal, healthy dog needs to relieve him or herself every 4 to 6 hours
• Another concern many pet parents face is whether their dog is spending too much time alone at home; the truth is that 10 to 12 hours is too long, especially since dogs left alone for several hours a day can suffer from isolation distress
• There are many options that will limit your dog’s time at home alone, including doggy daycare, a dog walker or sitter, and/or working from home or taking your dog to work with you