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anatomy guide

Dog urinary system — anatomy overview

Overview of the canine kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, and how they filter blood and regulate water and electrolyte balance.
General educational reference only — not clinical or veterinary advice. Anatomy varies between individual animals; consult a licensed veterinarian for any health concern.

Kidneys

Dogs have two kidneys that filter waste products from the blood and help regulate water, salts, and acid-base balance. Each kidney contains many filtering units called nephrons. The kidneys also produce hormones that influence blood pressure and red-blood-cell production.

Urine pathway

Urine formed in the kidneys drains through the ureters into the urinary bladder, a muscular storage organ. When the bladder empties, urine passes out through the urethra. Muscular sphincters control the timing of urination.

Water balance

By adjusting how much water is reabsorbed, the kidneys concentrate or dilute urine according to the body's needs. This helps maintain stable blood volume and hydration. Normal urine concentration in dogs varies with diet, activity, and water intake.

Sources

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