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].
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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
Animal Medical Center of Chicago Staff, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Pet’s Urine,” Animal Medical Center of Chicago, Available Online, here [Accessed August 3, 2023].
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.
American Kennel Club Staff, “How Do I Collect a Urine Sample From My Dog?” American Kennel Club, Available Online, here [Accessed August 3, 2023].
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, March 2004, Available Online: here [Accessed August 3, 2023].
Dog Training Nation Staff, “Dog Urine Sample: How To Collect Your Dog’s Urine For Testing,” Dog Training Nation, Available Online, here [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.
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