Regardless of breeds, dogs are known for their ability to hold their bladder for a long time. It is especially true for small breeds like Chihuahuas. However, how long can a Chihuahua hold its bladder? Understanding your pet’s potty necessities can prevent you from getting accidents at home. It will also assist you in effectively managing their urinary health to prevent complications.
This blog post will discuss how long a Chihuahua can hold its bladder. We will also go over some tips on properly taking care of your Chihuahua’s urinary health.
Factors That Affect How Long a Chihuahua Can Hold Its Bladder
In general, a healthy chihuahua will produce 10 to 20 milliliters of urine for each pound of body weight per day. Adult chihuahuas can pee three to five times per day to relieve themselves.
Many variables influence how long your Chihuahua can hold its bladder. Your Chihuahua’s age, health, size, and diet determine how long it can hold its bladder. Let’s take a look at each of these factors in more detail.
▶Age
A Chihuahua’s age is the most important factor in how long it can hold its bladder. Puppies have small bladders and cannot control their urination and an adult chihuahua. For this reason, a Chihuahua puppy will need to relieve itself every few hours. As your Chihuahua grows older, it will be able to hold its bladder for longer periods.
Thus, a fully trained adult Chihuahua can retain its pee for 6-8 hours. On the other hand, a young Chihuahua puppy might need to go potty every 1-2 hours while undergoing potty training. Some adult Chihuahuas can keep it in for 10-12 hours, but this does not necessarily mean you should do so. You must take your trained adult Chi to the toilet at least 3-5 times a day on average, which means at least once every 8 hours.
▶Health
The overall health of your Chihuahua also plays a role in how long it can hold its bladder. If your Chihuahua is sick, it will likely need to relieve itself more frequently. If your Chihuahua has kidney problems, diabetes, or urinary tract infections, you may need to give it more frequent potty breaks.
Also, if your Chihuahua is obese, it may have a more difficult time holding its bladder. It is because obesity can put a strain on the urinary system and make it harder for your Chihuahua to control its urination. If you think that your Chihuahua is peeing more often than usual, you should take it to the vet for a checkup.
▶Size
The size of your Chihuahua is another factor to consider when determining how long it can hold its bladder. Chihuahua puppies have smaller bladders, which means they will need to relieve themselves more frequently than an adult Chihuahua. On the other hand, an adult Chihuahua will have a larger bladder and hold its pee for long periods.
As a result, in comparison to the time you’d give bigger breeds like German Shepherds, you will need to give your Chihuahua more frequent potty breaks. Especially if you have a newly adopted chihuahua puppy, you may need to take it out every hour or two until it gets used to its new home and schedule.
▶Diet
What your Chihuahua eats is another crucial factor in how long it can hold its bladder. A high fiber diet helps the digestive system move waste through the body more efficiently. It means that your Chihuahua will need to relieve itself more frequently if it is on a high fiber diet.
On the other hand, a low fiber diet can cause constipation. It can make it more difficult for your Chihuahua to relieve itself and lead to urinary tract infections. So monitor what you feed your Chihuahua and how often it goes to the bathroom. If you notice any changes in its bathroom habits, consult your veterinarian.
The Risk of a Chihuahua Not Urinating Frequently
Your Chihuahua puppy will go potty indoors as soon as its bladder is full, regardless of whether you’re home or not. If you leave a young Chihuahua puppy alone for too long, it will likely have an accident. The same is true for adult Chihuahuas that are not fully trained.
An adult Chihuahua that is not fully trained may hold its urine for too long, but we don’t recommend this since it can lead to health issues. The following are some of the results you can expect if your Chihuahua holds its bladder for longer than 10 hours:
⬤Urinary Tract Infections
One of the most common health problems if your Chihuahua holds its bladder for too long is a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary system and multiply. The bacteria can travel up the urethra and into the bladder, where they cause an infection.
If your Chihuahua has a UTI, it will likely show signs of discomfort when urinating. It may also have blood in its urine, cloudy urine, or an increased urge to urinate. The infection might damage your Chihuahua’s kidneys over time.
⬤Crystals or Kidney Stones
The formation of crystal or bladder stones may be caused by bacterial accumulation in the kidneys as a result of holding pee for too long. The stones can range in size from tiny grains of sand to golf balls. They can cause pain and blockages in your Chihuahua’s urinary tract.
It is highly distressing to your Chihuahua, and it may lead to abdominal discomfort, difficulty urinating, fever, and other severe symptoms. If you think your Chihuahua has bladder stones, immediately take it to the vet.
⬤Urinary Incontinence
When an old Chihuahua is forced to go without urinating for several hours, the muscles in its lower abdominal area and bladder can become distended as a result of the pressure. It can make the muscles and tissues weak, which causes leaks. This involuntary leakage of urine is known as urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is a common problem in older Chihuahuas. If your Chihuahua suffers from this condition, it will likely have accidents indoors even if it’s fully trained. The good news is that treatments are available to help manage the condition.
⬤Cancer
One of the more serious health problems if your Chihuahua holds its bladder for too long is cancer. Cancerous tumors can develop in the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
Signs of cancer include blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, weight loss, and lethargy. If you notice any of these signs, immediately take your Chihuahua to the vet.
Is It Difficult to Potty Train a Chihuahua?
Some owners assume that potty training Chihuahuas is difficult. It is not the case. Chihuahuas are quite easy to potty train. They can be stubborn at times, but they will learn where to relieve themselves quickly with patience and consistency.
Here are some more reasons why potty training a Chihuahua puppy might be challenging:
◼️Unmotivated Owner
The biggest challenge in potty training a Chihuahua is the owner’s lack of motivation. It can be difficult to stay consistent with the training if you’re not fully committed.
This is especially true for first-time chihuahua owners. They may not realize how much time and effort it takes to potty train a chihuahua puppy.
◼️Fear of Going Outside
Another reason potty training a Chihuahua might be challenging because some puppies are afraid to go outside. They may be afraid of the outdoors because they’re not used to it.
This can be overcome by taking your chihuahua puppy outside frequently and letting them get used to their surroundings. They will become less afraid and more comfortable going outside to relieve themselves with time.
◼️Inconsistent Training
Potty training a Chihuahua puppy can be difficult if the training is inconsistent. This means that the owner is not consistent with taking the puppy outside at regular intervals or providing rewards for good behavior.
It’s important to be consistent with the potty training routine to teach your chihuahua puppy where to relieve itself.
◼️Missing The Signs
Chihuahuas are good at hiding when they need to go to the bathroom. They may not give any obvious signs that they need to go out.
This can make it difficult for owners to know when to take their chihuahua puppy outside. It’s important to watch for subtle signs, such as sniffing around or circling, that your Chihuahua needs to go to the bathroom. With this, you can take them outside before they have an accident indoors.
Potty training a chihuahua puppy can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. It just takes time, patience, and consistency. If you have difficulty potty training your Chihuahua, talk to your vet or a professional chihuahua trainer for help.
Tips on How to Potty Train a Chihuahua
Now that we’ve discussed some of the challenges of potty training a chihuahua, let’s talk about how to do it.
Here are some tips on how to potty train your Chihuahua:
✔Use a Crate
One of the best ways to potty train a chihuahua is to use a crate. A crate will confine your Chihuahua to a small space, which will prevent them from having accidents indoors.
It’s important to choose the right size crate for your Chihuahua. The crate should be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down in. You can find crates at your local pet store or online.
✔Set a Schedule
Another way to potty train your Chihuahua is to set a schedule. Take them outside at regular intervals every day, such as first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bed.
It’s important to be consistent with the schedule. If you’re not able to take your chihuahua out at the same time every day, try to take them out as often as possible.
✔Provide Rewards
One of the best ways to motivate your Chihuahua is to provide rewards for good behavior. When they go to the bathroom outside, give them a treat or verbal praise.
This will reinforce the desired behavior and help your Chihuahua learn that they are being rewarded for going to the bathroom in the right place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long can a chihuahua keep its urine overnight?
Chihuahuas can keep their urine for long periods, sometimes overnight. This is because they have a very strong bladder and urinary tract. Sometimes, however, chihuahuas may need to urinate more frequently if they are drinking a lot of water or taking certain medications.
Q: How often should I take my Chihuahua out to pee?
The frequency of how often you take your Chihuahua out to pee depends on several factors, such as how much your chihuahua drinks, how often they eat, and how active they are.
However, It’s essential to take your Chihuahua out to pee every couple of hours, especially if they’re drinking a lot of water. Puppies need to go out more often than adult chihuahuas because their bladder is smaller.
Q: How do I prevent my Chihuahua from urinating in the house?
You can do several things to prevent your Chihuahua from urinating in the house. One is to keep them on a regular potty schedule. If they know when they are supposed to go, they are less likely to have accidents.
Another thing you can do is crate train them. This will give your chihuahua a designated space to go potty and help keep the rest of your house clean. Finally, make sure that you provide them with plenty of opportunities to go outside. If they have regular access to the outdoors, they will be less likely to have accidents inside. By following these tips, you can help prevent your Chihuahua from urinating in the house and keep your home clean and potty-free.
Q: What should I do if my Chihuahua has an accident in the house?
If your Chihuahua has an accident in the house, the best thing to do is clean it up immediately. This will help prevent them from going to that same spot again.
Use a pet-safe cleaner to clean the area thoroughly. You may also want to consider using an enzymatic cleaner, which will help break down the scent of urine and make it less appealing to your Chihuahua.
After you’ve cleaned up the accident, praise your Chihuahua if they go potty in the appropriate spot. This will help reinforce good potty habits. Accidents are bound to happen, but you can help minimize them and keep your home clean and potty-free by following these tips.
Q: What are some common problems with Chihuahua potty training?
One common problem with Chihuahua potty training is that they may not give any obvious signs that they need to go out. This can make it difficult for owners to know when to take their chihuahua puppy outside. It’s essential to watch for subtle signs, such as sniffing around or circling, that your Chihuahua needs to go to the bathroom. With this, you can take them outside before they have an accident indoors.
Q: Is it harmful if my Chihuahua holds its bladder for too long?
While it’s not harmful to your Chihuahua to hold its bladder for long periods, it must have a regular schedule to go to the bathroom. This will help prevent urinary tract infections and other health problems.
Final Thoughts
Every Chihuahua is different. Some can hold their bladder for longer periods than others. However, regardless of how long your Chihuahua can hold its bladder, it’s important to provide them with regular opportunities to go outside. This will help keep them healthy and prevent accidents in the house. By following these tips in this article, you can ensure that your Chihuahua has a happy and healthy potty life.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
