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Protein in Dog Urine

Jessica Moore
Jessica Moore
August 29, 2023
•
4
min read
Technically reviewed by: 
Adele Morris
Protein in Dog Urine
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As a dog owner/caregiver, you spend a lot of time letting your pet go outside to relieve itself. These bathroom breaks provide insights into your dog’s health, but noticing some changes with the naked eye can be difficult. Dog urine test strips make it easier to detect high levels of protein in urine, which is a common sign of disease in dogs.

Proteinuria or excessive protein in urine occurs when an underlying condition causes protein to excrete in the urine. In a healthy dog, protein is not usually found in the urine. Protein can leak into the urine due to a myriad of reasons. These include but are not limited to kidney diseases (particularly issues in the blood filtration), kidney injury, hypertension (high blood pressure), infectious diseases, endocrine or metabolic diseases, drug reactions, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, vaginitis (vaginal infections in female dogs), and prostatitis (prostate-related infections in male dogs). In some conditions, the body starts generating more smaller molecular weight proteins than usual. These compounds overwhelm the glomerular filtration barrier, which typically prevents protein loss in urine, resulting in proteinuria. [1].

Symptoms of Protein in Dog Urine

A tender abdomen in dogs may indicate various issues, including gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract issues, trauma, or infections, prompting immediate veterinary evaluation for diagnosis and treatment.
A tender abdomen in dogs may indicate various issues, including gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract issues, trauma, or infections, prompting immediate veterinary evaluation for diagnosis and treatment.

Many dogs don’t exhibit symptoms of proteinuria, but possible signs [2] include:

  • Swelling in the abdomen, chest, or legs
  • Trouble breathing

Additionally, you may notice signs of the underlying disorder causing proteinuria. For instance, senior dog protein in the urine may appear alongside dog kidney infection symptoms [3], such as:

  • Bloody urine
  • Decreased appetite
  • Trouble urinating
  • Inappropriate urination
  • Weight loss
  • Tender abdomen

Causes of High Protein in Dog Urine

Proteinuria in dogs indicates an underlying medical condition [1], such as:

Additionally, high protein levels in dog urine can indicate a breed-related condition. For example, beagles, golden retrievers, and miniature schnauzers are prone to renal dysplasia. Renal dysplasia is a congenital defect that leads to incomplete kidney development in the womb. Similarly, bull terriers and English cocker spaniels may develop proteinuria due to a Type IV collagen defect (progressive scarring of the kidneys)[1].

Scheduling a visit with your veterinarian is the best way to identify the cause of proteinuria in your dog.

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Measuring Protein Levels in Dog Urine

A dog urinalysis is usually the first test veterinarians use to evaluate the amount of protein in the urine. This assessment uses a urine dipstick to determine if the dog has negative, trace, or significant protein levels. The dipstick has a pH indicator that changes color based on the quantity of protein [1].

If the urinalysis reveals proteinuria, the laboratory can quantify the amount of protein in urine by assessing the urine protein to creatinine ratio. This measurement provides insight into the underlying causes of this condition, such as CKD and hypertension [1].

Petnox-10 urine test strips, analyze ten critical parameters in pet urine, detecting issues like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and help monitor your dog's health, providing results in just two minutes.
Petnox-10 urine test strips, analyze ten critical parameters in pet urine, detecting issues like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and help monitor your dog's health, providing results in just two minutes.

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Pet caregivers can also test for proteinuria at home using Petnox-10 Urine Test Strips. These convenient strips evaluate ten parameters and display the results using an easy-to-read color key. You can use these strips to monitor your pet for signs of diabetes, kidney dysfunction, urinary tract infection, and other disorders.

Treating Protein in Dog Urine

Depending on the cause of proteinuria, your veterinarian may use one or more of the following therapeutic approaches to treat your dog [1].

  • Anticoagulant medication
  • Diet changes
  • Immunosuppressive medications
  • Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors
  • Treatment of hypertension

Monitor your dog’s condition between vet appointments with an at-home dog urine test. Proactive testing gives you peace of mind and allows you to catch changes in your dog’s condition early, which may lead to a better prognosis [1]. Discover how Petnox-10 can help protect your dog today.

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Guidelines from the American Association of Feed Control for pet food manufacturers for different pet health conditions.
The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines for pet food manufacturers. When selecting pet food for the management of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), it is advisable to choose products that adhere to these aforementioned guidelines.
References

[1] S. Schmid, “When Urine Trouble: A Clinical Approach to Proteinuria,” Today’s Veterinary Practice, January/February 2022.  [Accessed August 2, 2023].

[2] J. Fryer, “High Levels of Protein in Dog Urine [Proteinuria in Dogs],” PetMD. [Accessed August 2, 2023].

[3] Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center Staff, “Pyelonephritis,” Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. [Accessed August 2, 2023]. 

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About the Author
Jessica Moore

Jessica Moore has been a freelance writer for six years. She writes on a broad range of topics but specializes in health, pharmaceuticals, and food. She holds a degree in English from SUNY Albany and a degree in baking and pastry from the Culinary Institute of America. While she is originally from New York State, she now resides in the south, where it's much warmer. She lives with her husband and daughter, as well as two cats.

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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