Why do I need to bring in a urine sample?

A urine sample helps us check for issues like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, crystals, kidney disease, and diabetes — conditions that are common in both dogs and cats and often don't show clear symptoms until they're more advanced. It's a quick, non-invasive way to catch problems early.

How to collect it:

• Dogs: Use a clean, shallow container (a ladle or specimen cup works well) to catch a small amount mid-stream during a walk
• Cats: Swap out the regular litter for a non-absorbent litter substitute (like the kind your vet can provide, or plain aquarium gravel) for a day, then collect the pooled urine with a syringe or dropper
• Transfer the sample into a clean, sealed container
• Refrigerate if you can't bring it in within an hour or two, and try to get it to us within 12 hours for the most accurate results
• Avoid samples contaminated with regular litter, feces, or hair