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Post by Nicole on Jun 10, 2004 16:38:28 GMT -5
Is there something different or special about a dog's bladder as compared to a human bladder that makes us believe that they have no problem or discomfort in holding there urine for 8 plus hours when we humans, absent dehydration, would not be able to do that ourselves without great discomfort? Is there something special about their hydration needs that makes us think it is ok to withhold water all day so they won't have to urinate. Or do we convince ourselves that this is perfectly fine simply because our lifestyle demands it? This question occured to me as I was stuck in accident traffic today for 2 hours and ...well... the woods were looking good to me. ;D I couldn't go, I knew that, but it was really uncomfortable. And I thought how uncomfortable for the dog who can't go all day long!! My dog has access to a dog door and can urinate at whim. He also has unlimited access to water which he drinks several times a day in a self regulated fashion. He urinates every few hours (It is not a full bladder load...I have seen the amount) and he is 3 years old. So my thought is that left to their own choosing, a dog will urinate multiple time a day even without a full bladder, very possibly because it is what is comfortable. Why do we think that it is ok for them to hold it all day???
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Post by fireworksinjuly on Jun 10, 2004 17:07:19 GMT -5
This is going to sound wierd but I took the job I have now beacause the hours let me get home to take the dog out when he needs to go.
I was out of work when I first got my puppy due to health concerns of my own, so I knew his schedual and the hours my job wanted me to work fit in perfectly with when he had to go. Hes never left for more then 4 hours at a time, and the days I do have to work late my fiance takes his lunch early to get him out.
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Post by Brooke on Jun 10, 2004 22:26:00 GMT -5
See this is odd to me because I am basically like a camel. I don't drink much water... I know I should drink more but If I'm not thirsty (which isn't often) I can't bring myself to drink. I normally will only drink if I'm eating or just excersized/long walk... To me going 8 hours is nothing. ... but having a mom who pees about every 5 seconds all my life I know that other people/animals are different. I wouldn't restrict my pets water intake for any reason unless they were OVER drinking... (which Peeka did when we first got her) You would think her belly would pop if you applied a little pressure she'd drink so much we'd have to take her bowl away to get her to stop even at that point and she'd always throw it up anyway. We limited from then on...but didn't restrict and she learned eventually... Kuma will go over 12 hours without going. Not because we aren't there to let her out but because she doesn't feel like going out. We'd open the door and she'd lay down... (she's like me... a camel) I don't think by any means its wrong or even wierd to take a job considering your dogs needs to eliminate. It's too bad more people don't have those kinds of priviliges or opportunites. I miss having a job where I lived literally a block away. Before I moved to NC I could go on a 15 minute break and let Kuma out. I loved it! I could spend my lunches with her... it was great. Even gave us extra time to get a tiny short walk in mid day.
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Post by Nicole on Jun 11, 2004 7:33:53 GMT -5
That's a great point Brooke. I guess I am more like your mom. ;D I do drink alot of water though even if I am not thirsty because it is very good for hydration. You should drink more!!! ;D And Fireworksinjuly, that is not weird at all. It is commendable. Btw Brooke, that picture of Peeka is precious.
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Post by Willow on Jun 11, 2004 8:35:39 GMT -5
Very interesting subject, Nicki.
Brooke, I agree with Nicki, you should drink more water whether you feel thirsty or not. Thirst is not an indicator to hydration and actually, I have found that since I bought the book, "Your Bodies Many Cries for Water" and have started drinking 8-10 glasses a day, I go less than I did when I was not drinking much. The reason is that when we are dehydrated, our urine is concentrated and irritates our bladder's so we have the urge to go more often. I also feel so much better since I have started drinking more water, I can't believe it! I also finally convinced my friend with cancer to quit drinking all the soda and start drinking water instead and she keeps telling me now how good she feels and that she pees less now too, although the first few days/week you go more until your body adjusts.
As to dogs, I never with hold water for any reason and if one seems to be drinking more than seems normal, I would get the dog to the vet to make sure there are no health problems, such as diabetes etc.
Can a dog "hold it" for long periods of time? Yes, they can, but the question is, is it healthy for them and does it border on "cruelty" if we make them do so?
First, I have read many times that dogs that are forced to hold it all day while we are at work and then again all night DO have more bladder/kidney problems...just like people who ignore the call to go and hold it for long periods.
I'm like you Nicki....I panic if I'm somewhere I can't go and have to hold it, and since I walk in a remote area, I have been known to take advantage of the "woods"! ;D
Secondly, personally I feel it is cruel to force a dog to hold it for long periods of time, eventhough they "can" do it. Kerra often delays going out in the morning and I can't believe how long she will "hold it", but she is like Kuma...she has the opportunity to go out anytime she wants, but opts not to! As long as it is her choice and not mine, I don't worry about it TOO much!
I Also commend you, FW in July for making arrangements so your puppy can get out regularly. I believe you will have a healthier/happier puppy/dog! ;D
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Post by Nicole on Jun 11, 2004 14:02:59 GMT -5
Just a short follow up to what Loey said about drinking plenty of water. By the time you are actually thirsty, your body is very dehydrated and to maintain proper hydration, the advice is to not let yourself get to the point of being thirsty. Loey I have the feeling that you and I are the only water/hydration freaks here... ;D ;D ;D
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Post by sibemom on Jun 11, 2004 17:04:31 GMT -5
I am like Brooke I don't drink much water. I do try and I have increased my intake but I almost have to force myself. I think if we really take a moment and look at what we expect from our dogs as far as their potty habits, we do expect alot. We can go the bathroom anytime we want, but yet our dogs have to wait for us to take them. That is why I like to leave the dogs outside whenever possiable, so that they can not only have fresh air but can eliminate whenever they choose. At night since I am not a good sleeper, even before the puppy I was always up once or twice and would let Blade out to go potty. Sometimes he looked anoyed because I woke him up, and other times he went without hesitation. We are lucky because there is always someone home to take the dogs out during the day when I am at work but FW that is great you worked your job around your dogs
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Post by fireworksinjuly on Jun 11, 2004 18:13:46 GMT -5
Thanx everyone for supporting me in my dogs bathroom behavior. Most non dog people think im crazy.... As for night time I am also a light sleeper and since Kino sleeps next to me on the floor whenever he has to go I hear him getting up and can get him out quickly. He potty trained great, I dont think it would have gone as fast or as well had I been working and leaving him alone all day.
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Post by Willow on Jun 11, 2004 20:07:55 GMT -5
Thanx everyone for supporting me in my dogs bathroom behavior. Most non dog people think im crazy.... He potty trained great, I dont think it would have gone as fast or as well had I been working and leaving him alone all day. Non-dog people think dog people are just plain crazy! ;D You are absolutely correct. At the bare minimum, working people should come home at lunch time to let their puppies and young dogs out, and the reason there are so many housetraining problem is because people are unwilling to do that, and also unwilling to get up at night and take them out. The dog is forced to potty in the crate/house and it is very difficult to break the habit once it is begun. Like Sibemom, my dogs are outside a lot, and I have always had a good sized kennel in the yard that I could put them in when I was going to be gone for more than a few hours. That way they have the option to go when they need to. I have had the misfortune of NOT being able to go when I needed to and it is not a good feeling!
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Post by Willow on Jun 11, 2004 20:24:40 GMT -5
Loey I have the feeling that you and I are the only water/hydration freaks here... ;D ;D ;D I'll just bet we are the only ones who do not drink a lot of soda too!!! People who drink a lot of soda just grab another soda when they feel thirsty, which is often, because even though they are constantly drinking, they are dehydrated from the soda, because it removes more fluid than it replaces. (I forgot how to spell the term for it....diruetic....nope! That's not it). ;D No matter how I spell it on the spell check it comes up misspelled, but does not have the correct spelling!) I think it's time to go to bed. ;D
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Post by Nicole on Jun 11, 2004 21:46:53 GMT -5
Em spell check to the rescue...diuretic. ;D
They did a study re: water v. soda and after an hour 90% of the soda was still in the stomach and 90% of the water had been absorbed by the body. Soda may quench thirst but it dooes not hydrate... quickly anyway.
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Post by Willow on Jun 12, 2004 14:08:24 GMT -5
Hmmmmmm....interesting!!! Wonder what prevents its being absorbed? Did it say? The carbonation maybe? Which is another whole subject as to why soda is unhealthy! ;D
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Post by Nicole on Jun 12, 2004 14:50:08 GMT -5
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Post by amyjo on Jun 21, 2004 7:07:08 GMT -5
Well.... my dogs will often hold it 12 hours or longer - especially if the weather is not to thier liking - but I agree that they should be given the opportunity to avoid discomfort. But if there is some reason I can't get home within 6-8 hours I won't break my neck because I know they CAN hold it and it doesn't happen very often.
To the soda vrs water question. Soda per say is not a diruetic - but caffeine is. Since I have switched from diet soda to water only I go alot less often...AND I don't care what the experts say (They say something different every couple of years) - hydration is impotant and if you drink water - you will naturally regulate yourself (as opposed to soda which does make you thirsty) So you will naturally drink the right amount for your body and your activity level. Switching from soda to water has made my skin nicer and helped with energy levels and joint pain as well as actually reducing the amount of water my body retains - so I don't get so "poofy".
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Post by Willow on Jun 21, 2004 9:14:10 GMT -5
Yes, I have heard this too, and I just think who ever did the "studies" to determine this, work for, or were paid off by the soda manufacturer's! ;D I still feel that people who are "hooked" on soda, coffee etc. and drink these things instead of water, are not as healthy as water drinker's. Like you, Amyjo, since I drink more water I can see/feel the benefits and that is enough for me! I have to laugh now too. I "preached" and "preached" to my soda drinking friend who has cancer on the health benefits of water. She finally gave in and quit the soda and started drinking 2qts of water a day. Now she is constantly telling me how good she is feeling and how awful she starts feeling again if she doesn't drink her water everyday! I also know that my mother did not drink enough water. Most elderly people do not and think if they drink coffee and juices etc. it is enough. We tried and tried to get her to drink more water, but she wouldn't, and she had several health problems that are associated with being dehydrated. The few times we could get her to drink more water her energy level would increase, for one thing, plus she wouldn't suffer as much from her Asthma and her heart rate would slow down to normal. A fast heart rate is associated with dehydration and my mother would get spells where her heart would race and she would get weak, but the Dr's always said there was nothing wrong with her heart!
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