In a healthy, hydrated, 4-year-old Labrador, what urine specific gravity would you expect?

In a healthy, hydrated, 4-year-old Labrador, what urine specific gravity would you expect?

• A. 1.000
• B. 1.005
• C. 1.010
• D. 1.040

Answer: (D)

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated or dilute urine is, reflecting how well the kidneys are concentrating urine and the animal’s hydration status. In a healthy, well-hydrated dog, the urine is relatively dilute compared to dehydration, with typical USG around 1.008–1.012 (often cited near 1.010). Among the given values, 1.010 best matches that hydrated, normal range. Values near 1.000–1.005 are quite dilute for a healthy adult dog, while a value as high as 1.040 indicates a much more concentrated urine, which would suggest dehydration or a markedly concentrated urine due to other factors, not the normal hydrated state. So, the expected value for a healthy, hydrated dog sits around 1.010.

Urine specific gravity shows how concentrated or dilute urine is, reflecting how well the kidneys are concentrating urine and the animal’s hydration status. In a healthy, well-hydrated dog, the urine is relatively dilute compared to dehydration, with typical USG around 1.008–1.012 (often cited near 1.010). Among the given values, 1.010 best matches that hydrated, normal range. Values near 1.000–1.005 are quite dilute for a healthy adult dog, while a value as high as 1.040 indicates a much more concentrated urine, which would suggest dehydration or a markedly concentrated urine due to other factors, not the normal hydrated state. So, the expected value for a healthy, hydrated dog sits around 1.010.