About dog incontinence

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• Video: natural treatments for incontinence in dogs
• What causes incontinence in dogs?
• Urinary tract infection
• Spay surgery
• Defects in the urinary tract
• Video: urinary incontinence in dogs
• Neurological or spinal problems or seizures
• Video: incontinent dog peeing in public condo/apt. carpet
• Illness, disease & syndromes
• Stress & anxiety
• Video: doc pawsitive discusses urinary incontinence in female dogs
• Old age

There are several different reasons why a dog can have difficulty controlling their urinary function.

Here are the most common ones (click on links to jump to relevant section):

• Urinary Tract Infection 
• Spay surgery 
• Defects in the urinary tract 
• Neurological problems & Seizures
• Diseases and other health conditions 
• Stress or severe anxiety
• Old age

Scroll down to take a closer look at each of them......

This is very common, especially in female puppies but can affect either sex.

Caused by bacteria which enters the urethra and then multiplies and spreads inwards. Untreated it could reach the kidneys and cause serious problems.

Often a UTI (also known as as a bladder infection or Cystitis) can occur when a pup`s (or dog`s) immune system is weakened, either by stress or illness.

This is one of the reasons it`s common in young puppies who have just left their momma and littermates, are also getting vaccinations, and are stressed by change.

Also, a female pup gets much lower to the ground when peeing than a male pup usually does, plus her urethra is shorter than that of a male.

Other conditions can cause recurring infections, these include bladder stones, an incorrect acid/alkali balance in the bladder, or a defect in the ureter or vulva

Symptoms of a UTI don`t usually involve a flood or urine.

Your pup/dog is likely to have an urgent need to pee MUCH more often than normal, and sometimes she may only be able to squeeze out a drop or two.

Her urine may be cloudy or bloody and/or have a strong odor, and there`s often a lot of licking at her privates and possibly some discharge.

To learn more about bladder infections in dogs (including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options) CLICK HERE

In this case the poor urinary control is usually due to hormone levels, but occasionally there can be physical problems as well.

This is often called `hormone-responsive incontinence`.

Various studies have come up with different figures in terms of the percentage of dogs who have incontinence issues after being spayed.

In 2009 one study suggested around 20% were affected, another survey in 2013 puts the figure at 5%.

I`ve owned many dogs over my lifetime, and am surrounded by dog-owning family and friends. I have not personally had a dog who had a problem with this after being spayed, nor do I know anyone who has.

Obviously that`s not a scientific study I believe think the true figure is likely to be closer to 5% than to 20%. 

Of course, that doesn`t help if your dog is one of them, regardless of odds!

This type of incontinence often appears as a loss of control during sleep, which ends in her wetting her bed.

But it could show as an inability to hold her pee for long, or as a constant/intermittent dribble of urine.

Some breeds are at higher risk of developing this problem than others. These include German Shepherds, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Old English Sheepdogs, Rottweilers, Weimeraners, Irish Setters and some Spaniels.

Also larger breeds are more prone to this problem, as are dogs who have their tails docked as puppies

* This can sometimes (but not often) happen in neutered male dogs too.

Find out how to treat a spay-related incontinence - CLICK HERE

Physical malformations of any part of the urinary tract will usually mean that things don`t work quite the way they should.

The most common defect in female dogs is a birth defect called an `Ectopic Ureter`. 

The ureter is a tiny tube down which urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder. 

When a pup has an ectopic ureter, the tube bypasses the bladder and carries urine directly to the ureter (or sometimes to the vagina) instead, so there`s no `holding cell` as it were and the urine comes flows out unimpeded.

Ectopic Ureter is a hereditary condition and some breeds are more prone to it that others.

These include Labrador Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, Welsh Corgis, Collies, West Highland Terriers, Wire-haired Fox Terriers and Miniature Poodles.

Symptoms can include an almost continuous dribble of urine, or flooding/bed-wetting. Irritation and inflammation around the vulva is often seen too.

Learn how to treat urine leakage due to an Ectopic Ureter and more CLICK HERE

Brain tumors or brain injury or disease can do the same thing.

Basically the disease or damage interferes with the signals sent by the brain and incontinence can be one of the resulting problems.

If your dog has a seizure he`ll lose control of his muscles and nervous system. This includes his bladder and bowels. 

When not in the grips of a seizure, your dog`s bladder control will be normal.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (aka `Doggy Alzheimers`) can sometimes cause an old dog to `forget` their house-training skills or simply how to control their bodily functions.

To learn more about treating incontinence cause by neurological issues CLICK HERE

Sometimes a dog`s leaky bladder is a symptom of another underlying condition.

These could include diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, Addison`s disease and Cushing`s disease.

Or conditions such as tumors, bladder stones, prostate disease and more.

Occasionally a urinary stone or tumor blocks which has caused problems will suddenly completely block the ureter and your dog won`t be able to pee at all. 

This is a veterinary emergency as if it`s not treated quickly your pet could die.

Symptoms will vary depending on what`s causing the problem. 

In that situation you need to treat the main disease or problem which should then relieve the symptoms, including incontinence.

Most diseases and problems affect both male and female dogs pretty equally.

Some medications (such as sedatives) can cause temporary incontinence, as can the lingering effects of anesthetic or strong pain-killers post-surgery.

To find out more about this CLICK HERE

You know the expression `I was so scared I almost wet myself`? Well, in some cases dogs actually do wet themselves!

The most common type of incontinence in this category is submissive urination. This is an involuntary behavior and causes him/her to pee as a sign of submission.

It`s most often seen in puppies who are very gentle, or anxious. Affects males and females but tends to be seen slightly more often in females.

Separation anxiety is another emotional cause for loss of bladder control, often bowel control as well. 

If your puppy or dog gets so anxious when you leave him that he becomes hysterical he may pee and/or poop uncontrollably.

This is not a gender-specific problem, boys are as likely to suffer as girls.

Read more HERE