Seeing your pooch drink his own pee can be a pretty distasteful sight. Worries about diseases and health problems will pop into your mind, as you rush towards him to get him to stop. Although the exact cause of urine drinking is unknown, this behaviour has been observed in pooches that have urinary tract infections (UTI). These infections would make them feel really thirsty, so they often end up drinking whatever liquid that they’re able to find.
Another possible reason is his environment—it can be hard to kick the habit if your furkid was caged up at birth, as most inhumanely caged animals resort to drinking their pee when they aren’t provided with sufficient water.
Male pooches also often taste a female’s urine to know if she is in heat. Even if she has been spayed, this instinct can still make a dog drink a female’s urine.
If you catch Fido drinking his own pee, it’s safe to say that no harm will come from it as there is nothing in there that wasn't already in his body! However, it is important not to let him do this often as it isn’t good for his hydration. Drinking other pooch’s pee is also a big no-no as it might contain harmful diseases.
What can I do to prevent this from happening?
If you suspect that Fido is suffering from UTI, do take him to a vet to get it treated. If he passed his health check and is fit as a fiddle, then some re-training may be needed to help curb this habit of his. Always make sure there is fresh water nearby your furkid’s favourite spots, and if you catch Fido in the act, clap your hands or make a loud noise to distract him and thus prevent him from drinking further. Point him towards the direction of the water and praise him after he has drunk from the water bowl.