But I have a small bladder.....

I'm amazed at how often I hear this and that this myth has survived in such an educated society. You never hear anyone say, "I can't do aerobic exercise because I have a small heart." It sounds ridiculous, right? But somehow when people say they have a small bladder, it goes unchallenged.

All species are born with organs of appropriate size for their bodies. My 8# Papillons have very small bladders. But when there has been occasion that I wasn't able to get home for 10 hours, they held it. They are continent through the night. Size is irrelevant; condition is everything.

It is true that the bladder, being a muscle, can atrophy, just like a heart can degenerate into unhealthy condition. The heart degenerated from not exercising and the only way to get it back in shape is to do aerobic exercise. The bladder atrophied from not drinking enough fluids and from urinating too frequently and the only way to get it back in shape is to drink more fluids and to urinate less frequently.

Next time someone laments that they have a small bladder, let them know that there is help for them and direct them here.