Dog with urinary incontinence: learn how to help your pet

Pet / Date: 04-28-2025

If your pet leaks urine while sleeping or when walking around the house, be careful. You may have a dog with urinary incontinence.

This is not a tantrum of a pet. Actually, it is an issue that must be treated. To learn how to determine the cause and how to treat your incontinent pet, read on!

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a condition that includes the involuntary discharge of urine. As such, the dog himself doesn't know this is happening. The discharge can occur in drips or small jets when the pet is quiet or in transit.

This is due to several reasons, such as anatomical defects, physiological change of the urinary system, or even neurological changes in the pet. Incontinence is usually wrongly assumed to be undesirable behavior by the pet.

However, in cases of behavioral problems, the dog starts to pee in the wrong places, almost always in normal amounts. These are not just drops of urine spread around the house. Have you noticed the difference?

How to identify a urinary tract infection in a pet?

As we can see, the presence of your dog's urine in wrong places does not always mean that your pet is having urinary incontinence. Several other factors are responsible for this, like changes in the surroundings or even issues that result in mobility difficulties.

To help the owner, We have gathered below the main symptoms of urinary incontinence in dogs . Check it out:

Increased frequency of urination (without apparent pain);
Urine leaks while the pet moves;
Drops of urine that constantly come out of the animal;
Urine leaks during sleep, which wet the animal's bed.

It is always worth remembering: do not wait for the problem to get worse. Seek out a trusted veterinarian as soon as you notice the first signs. The sooner treatment for urinary incontinence in dogs begins, the sooner your pet will be free from this problem.

It is also worth remembering that this condition goes far beyond the discomfort caused by urine spread around the house. After all, it can be associated with more serious problems, as you will see below.

Main causes of canine urinary incontinence

There are several causes of urinary incontinence in dogs . Some of the main ones are:

Frequent infections, such as urinary tract infections;
Malformations;
Hormonal imbalance;
Dysfunctions in the urinary tract;
Neurological problems;
Endocrine problems;
Overweight or obesity;
Presence of bladder stones.

The problem is more common in dogs with a predisposition to spinal cord injuries and degeneration. A condition like this can compromise the innervation of the bladder.

Furthermore, it is important to be aware of some conditions that can increase the dog's chances of having the problem, such as senility, spinal and spinal cord injuries, diabetes, hernias and diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Females are also more prone to urinary incontinence. This is because they are more likely to develop urinary infections, since the urine outlet is very close to the anus. This factor favors contamination of the region by bacteria.

Hormonal changes throughout life are another point that explains the prevalence of urinary incontinence in females, especially in older pets.

How do you find out if your pet really has urinary incontinence?

If your pet shows signs of incontinence, it's time to see your veterinarian. Tell your veterinarian in detail what you've observed. Urinary incontinence is diagnosed through a series of tests and exams, including clinical observation. Your veterinarian may also request an ultrasound and urinalysis to rule out possible urinary tract infections.

Is there a treatment and cure for urinary incontinence?

Treatment for dogs with urinary incontinence can range from medication to complementary therapies, such as physiotherapy and acupuncture . In addition, lifestyle changes and surgical interventions may be necessary. It all depends on the diagnosis.

Dogs with urinary incontinence are patients that are under constant observation and that also need to eat diets that prevent muscle deterioration.

It is necessary to determine if there is something neurological or not, as if it is neurological then observation of the muscles of the back must be aided. High protein food is required in order to maintain active muscles and avoid losses, like Hill's Prescription Diet ONC Care or Hill's a/d.

It should be noted that incontinence problems have a tendency to develop into more severe situations with time. This is why early treatment is the best approach to avoid exacerbation.

The cure for incontinence in dogs also depends on what is causing the problem. For example, some birth defects can be corrected with surgery, and the pet is completely cured. In the case of diabetes, the condition can return whenever blood sugar levels are uncontrolled.