7 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Is Suffering From Urinary Incontinence

Many dog owners have experienced urinary incontinence in their beloved pets. They find themselves confused and alarmed by the surprise puddle of urine on the floor and wonder why their diligent potty-training efforts have gone out the window. However, urinary incontinence is a relatively common problem, which means there are many treatment options.

There are several things pet parents can do to help their canine companion, such as use supportive products like the ones found on petparentsbrand.com. The most important thing a dog owner can do is consult their veterinarian. The owners may find it helpful to understand what causes dog incontinence.

Canine Urinary Incontinence Causes

The first step in addressing a dog’s urinary incontinence issue is identifying the underlying cause. There are several things that can contribute to their suffering. Below are seven possible reasons for canine incontinence and what dog owners can do.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections affect the dog’s lower urinary system caused by several things including bladder inflammation, bladder stones or crystals, trauma, cancer, stress, and a weak bladder. The symptoms of a UTI are inability to urinate, passing only a small amount of urine, bloody or cloudy urine, fever, the need to urinate more frequently, vomiting, lethargy, and incontinence. A UTI can be a medical emergency, so it is important for dog owners to contact their vet as soon as possible.

A veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or other medications and supplements. They may suggest dietary changes and urinary acidifiers. In rare cases, there may be a need for surgery.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances are not reserved for humans. In fact, it is a common problem for some dogs. Symptoms of hormonal imbalances include skin thickening, skin discolouration, loss of fur, excessive chewing, licking, and scratching, appetite changes, weight changes, lethargy, and incontinence.

Hormonal imbalances in dogs can have serious underlying causes, such as cancer. It is important to bring any dog experiencing hormonal issues to the vet right away.

Urinary Stones

There are several kinds of urinary stones in dogs, with struvite stones being the most common. Urinary stones occur when a dog’s urine becomes too concentrated and the natural acidity is no longer capable of dissolving the crystals. Other causes of urinary stones include kidney diseases, excessive use of antacids or diuretics, or any condition that raises the pH of a dog’s urine.

Symptoms of urinary stones include painful urination, blood in the urine, straining to urinate, and incontinence. Occasionally, urinary stones cause an obstruction of the bladder, which is life-threatening, so the dog will need to be taken to the vet immediately. The most common way to treat these stones is through a special diet designed to keep urine acidic. Occasionally, vets may perform either non-surgical or surgical procedures to remove the stones.

Prostate Disorders

Prostate disorders in dogs include enlargement of the prostate, prostatitis, cysts on the prostate, neoplasia, and displacement into hernias. The most common symptoms for these conditions are painful urination, blood in the urine, weight loss, and incontinence. Cancer, abscesses, infections, or hormonal imbalances can cause these disorders.

Depending on the cause of these disorders, the dog could need treatments as serious as chemotherapy or as minor as neutering.

Submission Urination

Many dog owners have had to experience their dog urinating when they are greeted by new animals or people. Dogs often do this to show that they are not a threat, showing complete submission. These dogs often urinate when they are scolded or reprimanded.

Further scolding will not stop submissive urination. Instead, dog owners should always approach their canine companion in a relaxed posture, speak to them in a gentle tone, and avoid direct eye contact. Training with treats and regular routines can help submissive dogs stop urinating.

Of course, some dogs will continue to do this anyway. Another way for pet owners to intervene and curb submissive urination is by providing them with supportive garments, such as canine belly wraps.

Excitement Urination

Excitement urination is something common in puppies under one year of age. Puppies will often urinate when the company arrives when the owner first comes home or other times of extreme excitement. Fortunately, that behaviour usually fades as they get older.

However, that doesn’t stop the stress of having to clean up puppy urine in the immediate future. Dog owners can address this in their puppies by avoiding emotional greetings while never verbally scolding them for the behaviour. Dog owners may find it worthwhile to invest in a calming wearable for the pets, such as stress blankets, and to use puppy pee pads throughout their home.

Excessive Drinking

One of the simplest reasons for canine incontinence is excessive drinking. This could have no serious underlying cause or it could be due to illnesses like diabetes. It is best for the dog owner to have the pet evaluated by a veterinarian to determine the cause.

It is important to never withhold water from a dog. Doing so could cause severe dehydration, which is a life-threatening condition.

The Bottom Line

No dog owner wants to see their canine companion suffer. If a dog is experiencing urinary incontinence, it should be seen by a vet as soon as possible to determine the cause. The solution could be as simple as dietary changes or it could be a serious condition that needs immediate attention.

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