Urine is made as a normal result of metabolism and removal of cellular wastes. Normal urine is sterile and the color can vary depending on what your pet has recently eaten or drunk. If you're wondering why urine is yellow, it's due to the presence of a substance called urochrome which is excreted by the kidneys.
Normal dog urine should be yellow. The “shade” of yellow can normally range from pale or “straw-colored” to amber, based on your dog's hydration status and a few other factors, but it should be yellow nonetheless.
Dehydration or Overhydration
When a dog becomes dehydrated, the urine will be a dark or bright yellow. While a little bit of yellow is normal, too much means that your pet hasn't been getting enough water or he is sick.
It tends to be the most concentrated sample of the day. Yellow: This may indicate concentrated urine, in which case your dog or cat should be encouraged to drink more water. Cat or dog water fountains may increase water intake.
Dark yellow: Dark yellow urine is just the opposite of clear urine with no yellow, and it usually means your dog is slightly dehydrated. Mild to moderate dehydration will cause the urine to appear dark yellow, but more serious levels of dehydration can cause urine to look caramel or orange in color.
Here is an example: If your dog's urine Diastix color reading is dark brown, this means your dog's urine is positive for sugar and the insulin dose is too low.
The color of a dog's urine with a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) can vary, but it is typically cloudy or murky and may have a strong odor. It may also appear darker in color than normal, such as a dark yellow, orange, or even red-tinged if there is blood present.
Slightly darker yellow urine can indicate that you need to drink more water.
How Much Water Should Dogs Drink. Most dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water for every pound that they weigh, every day. That means a 10-pound dog needs about two-thirds of a 16oz bottle of water daily. Really active pups or dogs who are pregnant or recently had puppies often need more water per pound of weight.
Bright yellow urine is harmless, and is just a sign that you are taking more vitamins than your body needs. You may want to check with your doctor on what vitamins your body does not need as much of so you can cut back.
If there is bilirubin n your urine, it may be an early sign of a liver condition. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that your body makes during the normal process of breaking down red blood cells. Your liver uses bilirubin to make bile, a fluid that helps you digest food.
You can recognize advancing dehydration in your dog by checking his or her skin's elasticity. Gently pinch a small amount of skin on your dog's back and release it. If your dog's skin does not snap immediately back in place, your dog may be dehydrated. You can also check for dehydration by examining your dog's gums.
Stage 1 Kidney Disease
In stage one, there is a small amount to no protein in the urine, and the pup typically maintains normal blood pressure. However, diagnostic tests may indicate abnormalities in the urine concentration or irregular kidney palpation. Most dogs do not present with symptoms during this stage.
Therefore, one of the earliest clinical signs of kidney failure is increased water consumption and urination, and is called compensated renal failure. After approximately 2/3 of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease.
Kidney disease can be detected early with the help of a urinalysis. A urinalysis is an examination of a dog's or cat's urine to assess the health of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, and organs such as the liver and the pancreas.
Breed: Some dog breeds, including English Cocker spaniels, bull terriers and German shepherds, are more likely to develop particular types of kidney disease.
For dogs with renal health issues, feed them a diet of high-quality protein with low phosphorus and sodium, and added omega-3 fatty acids, such as a mix of good quality meat, veggies like bell peppers, and either a supplement of omega-3's or fish, flax, sardines, or anchovies.
In severe kidney failure, the amount of urine may actually decrease, or the pet may stop making urine altogether. Other signs as things get worse include digested blood in the stool making the stool look black and tarry, or vomiting digested blood, which looks like coffee grounds.
To get an accurate diagnosis, a vet will examine your dog's urine for the presence of white blood cells or crystals, which suggest infection or bladder stones respectively.
Dogs with UTIs generally attempt to urinate very frequently whenever they go outside. They also may strain to urinate, or cry out or whine when urinating if it is painful. Sometimes you might even see blood in their urine. Dripping urine, or frequent licking of the genitals, may also signal that a UTI is present.
Urinary tract infections or kidney infections can cause your dog's urine to appear foamy. When your dog urinates, you will see foam or bubbly urine. You may notice a change in the color or smell of your dog's urine. They may be straining to urinate or seem to be in pain when they urinate.