What this means
Being unable to urinate is one of those situations where you should not wait and watch. A dog that stands in the urinating posture for a long time, whimpers, paces in circles or seems restless but passes no urine needs to be seen immediately.
Note when your dog last urinated and whether a normal amount came out. It matters to tell apart a dog that keeps trying and squeezes out drops from a dog that urinates normally but less often; they have different problems.
A blockage can come from stones or another obstruction. Along with the failed urination you may also see a painful belly, vomiting or lethargy. If time passes and no urine comes, do not wait for morning.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
-
Stones in the bladder or urethra
A stone can block the urinary channel and stop the flow of urine. Your dog strains and whimpers, and the belly may be tender.
About the condition: Bladder stones -
Cystinuria
This is a metabolic disorder in which stones can form in the urine. They can block the urinary tract, particularly in males.
About the condition: Cystinuria -
A growth in the bladder or urinary tract
A growth can narrow the urinary passage and make urinating difficult. Blood in the urine may have been seen earlier.
About the condition: Bladder cancer -
Uric acid stones
Because of a build-up of uric acid, some breeds of dog can form stones. They can block the channel.
About the condition: Hyperuricosuria
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- When your dog last urinated
- Whether nothing comes out, or only a few drops
- Whether your dog strains, whimpers or paces in circles
- Whether the belly looks hard or painful
- Whether blood was seen in the urine earlier
- Whether your dog is vomiting or has stopped eating
When to book a routine visit
A dog that cannot urinate is not a case for a routine appointment: contact a vet straight away, even if your dog otherwise seems well.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Bladder stones Kidneys and bladder Bladder stones are hard clumps of minerals that form in the urine and slowly grow inside the bladder. They irritate the bladder wall, causing inflammation and pain, and if one gets stuck in the urethra it can block the urinary tract. A dog that cannot pass urine is in a life-threatening situation and needs a vet immediately.
- Cystinuria Kidneys and bladder Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic disorder in which the kidneys fail to reclaim an amino acid called cystine, so it passes into the urine. Cystine dissolves poorly in urine, so it can form crystals and stones in the kidneys or bladder. A stone can get stuck and block the urinary tract, and a dog that cannot pass urine needs a vet immediately.
- Bladder cancer Cancer Bladder cancer is a malignant tumour that grows in the wall of the bladder and can spread to the urethra or other organs. Its signs look like those of a urinary tract infection, so it is easy to mistake for a simpler problem. As it grows the tumour can get in the way of urinating, and a dog that cannot pass urine at all needs a vet immediately.
- Hyperuricosuria Kidneys and bladder Hyperuricosuria is a condition in which there is too much uric acid in the urine. This acid can crystallise and form stones in the bladder or kidneys, which irritate the urinary tract and can block it. A dog that cannot pass urine is in a life-threatening situation and needs a vet immediately.
Body systems: Kidneys and bladder Cancer