How To Get a Urine Sample From a Dog at Home

Roma Kunde
Roma Kunde
August 20, 2023
3
min read
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris
How To Get a Urine Sample From a Dog at Home
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As a responsible pet parent, you may need to collect a urine sample from your dog to conduct routine health check-ups, diagnose health issues, or monitor specific conditions. Dog urine collection may seem challenging. But learning how to get a urine sample from a dog can improve their well-being and give you peace of mind.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to collect urine samples from your dog.

What Is Dog Urinalysis, and Why Is It Required?

Dog urinalysis is a diagnostic test that analyzes your dog's urine sample to detect signs of disease. The urine sample can be collected at home or at your veterinarian’s clinic using a dog urine collection device or a clean container. It can be analyzed using dog urine test kits or test strips, ideally within 30 minutes of collection for correct results [1].

A urine test for dogs is designed to examine parameters such as pH, protein, glucose, blood, or signs of bacteria in urine. Depending on the color or chemical changes in dog urine test strips or kits, veterinarians can detect potential medical problems [2].

Urinalysis thus enables health monitoring, early disease diagnosis, and timely treatment [2].

Dog urinalysis is a diagnostic test that analyzes a dog's urine to assess its health, detect medical conditions, and monitor treatment effectiveness.
Dog urinalysis is a diagnostic test that analyzes a dog's urine to assess its health, detect medical conditions, and monitor treatment effectiveness.

How To Get a Urine Sample from a Dog?

Follow these steps to collect your dog's urine at home [3]:

  • Use a short leash when you take your dog outside to urinate. It will help you avoid chasing your pet around.
  • Wear disposable rubber/latex gloves before dog urine collection to maintain hygiene.
  • When your dog is urinating, slip a clean container or a ladle under them to collect the urine sample midstream. Transfer it into a sterile sample cup provided by the veterinarian.
  • If your dog is uncooperative, work with a partner for assistance. While you hold the leash, your partner can get behind or beside the dog to collect the urine.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after collecting.

Collecting dog's urine sample
Collect a dog's urine sample using a container or ladle while they urinate, being careful to avoid contamination, and transfer it for testing or consult a vet for guidance if needed.

Helpful Tips to Make Urine Collection Easy

Urine collection can sometimes be tricky. Following tips can help make it an easy process for both you and your furry friend.

  • Your dog may not be comfortable around a urine collection container. It is therefore recommended to train your dog to get comfortable with the urine collection device or container prior to urine collection. Try placing it near their food dish, or use treats and petting to create positive associations.
  • Spend time with your dog while they urinate for one or two weeks before collection. Use potty training basics, praise, and rewards to make them comfortable while they urinate in your presence.
  • Consider training your dog to urinate on cue to have better control and make sample collection convenient. Patience and positive reinforcement will make your dog feel safe and cooperate with you.
  • Consider buying a urine collector device with a telescopic pole, specifically made for pet care givers. The extendable pole on the pee catcher will make it easy for you to catch a sample.

Various types of urine collection devices for pets
Various types of urine collection devices for pets. The retractable telescopic pole can make it easy for you to catch the sample.
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Collecting Urine From Male vs. Female Dogs

Urine collection may differ for male and female dogs because of their anatomy and how they are trained to urinate [3], [4].

Urine collection with an over-the-counter pee catcher.
Urine collection with an over-the-counter pee catcher.

How To Get a Urine Sample From a Female Dog

Female dogs usually squat to urinate [4]. Use a flat, narrow container, such as a saucer, aluminum pie plate, or plastic container lid, under their body to collect the urine and prevent spillage. Alternatively, you can use a ladle to collect the sample midstream [3]–[5].

How To Get a Urine Sample From a Male Dog

Typically, male dogs lift their leg to urinate [4]. When your dog lifts a leg, hold a cup, jar, dish, or ladle under the urine stream to collect it. If your male dog squats to urinate, use a flat, low-sided container to collect the urine [3] - [5].

Urinalysis Using Petnox Dog Urine Test Strips

After successful urine collection, urinalysis can be conducted at home or at the vet’s clinic using dog urine test strips. Petnox dog urine test strips are a simple and effective tool to test your pet’s urine and identify or monitor potential health problems.

Prioritize your pet’s health and give them the care they deserve with Petnox urine test strips.

Urinalysis for pets using multiparameter urine pet test strips
Conducting a urinalysis with a Petnox-10 dip strip is simple and easy. Briefly immerse the strip in the urine sample. Wait for the reagents to react with the urine specimen. You can read the results by comparing the pad colors with the color key.
References

[1] Animal Medical Center of Chicago Staff, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Pet’s Urine,” Animal Medical Center of Chicago. [Accessed August 3, 2023].

[2] S. N. Yadav, N. Ahmed, A. J. Nath, D. Mahanta, and M. K. Kalita, “Urinalysis in dog and cat: A review,” Vet. World, vol. 13, pp. 2133-2141, October 2020.

[3] American Kennel Club Staff, “How Do I Collect a Urine Sample From My Dog?” American Kennel Club. [Accessed August 3, 2023].

[4] S. C. Wirant and B. McGuire, “Urinary behavior of female domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): influence of reproductive status, location, and age,” Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., vol. 85, pp. 335-348. [Accessed August 3, 2023].

[5] Dog Training Nation Staff, “Dog Urine Sample: How To Collect Your Dog’s Urine For Testing,” Dog Training Nation. [Accessed August 3, 2023]. 

About the Author
Roma Kunde

Roma Kunde is a freelance content writer with a biotechnology and medical background. She has completed her B. Tech in Biotechnology and has a certificate in Clinical Research. She has 6 years of writing and editing experience in fields such as biomedical research, food/lifestyle, website content, marketing, and NGO services. She has written blog articles for websites related to construction chemicals, current affairs, marketing, medicine, and cosmetics.

About the Reviewer
This blog was
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris

Adele Morris served as the editor and proofreader of this blog, displaying her exceptional editorial skills and expertise in the field.

The blog was also reviewed by the Diagnox content team. Diagnox Staff consists of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, content writers, and healthcare professionals with an expertise to create and review high-quality, informative, accurate, and easy-to-understand content for both professionals and everyday readers. Our staff follows strict guidelines to ensure the credibility and authenticity of the information, reviewing them independently and verifying them by various scientific and technical sources to ensure accuracy. Our review team believes in delivering knowledge free from bias to improve public health and well-being.

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