Urinary Incontinence in dogs

Overview

• Does your dog leak urine? Have you noticed wet patches on their bedding or noticed them dribbling urine?
• Urinary incontinence (leaking urine) isn’t normal and should always be checked by a vet.
• Many different conditions can cause urinary incontinence in a dog, and fortunately, most of them are treatable.
• We know urinary incontinence can be frustrating but it’s important to remember that your dog is not peeing on purpose – they’ve simply lost control of their bladder.
• Always contact your vet for advice if you notice your dog has started to leak urine.

Urinary incontinence in dogs explained

Your dog’s urinary tract is made up of their kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Urine (wee) is made in the kidneys, it then travels to the bladder through two tubes called ‘ureters’. It‘s stored in the bladder until your dog goes to the toilet – which is when it passes to the outside world through another tube called the ‘urethra’.

Urinary incontinence (leaking of urine) isn’t normal, even if your dog is older, so should always be checked by your vet. Signs include wet patches on your dog's bed, furniture, or the floor, especially where they have been sitting or lying down. It’s very common for incontinent dogs to leak urine when they are sleeping or relaxed. You may also notice your dog dribbling urine while walking or after urinating.

Urinary incontinence is more common in middle-aged to older female dogs, although any dog can be affected.

Causes of urinary incontinence in dogs

Some of the most common causes of urinary incontinence in dogs include:

USMI

USMI (urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence) is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in adult female dogs. It’s when the muscles in the bladder and urethra become weak and leaky, and in most cases, can be successfully treated with lifelong daily medication.  

Ectopic ureter

An ectopic ureter is an uncommon congenital condition (a problem a dog is born with). It’s when one or both ureters bypass the bladder and lead straight from the kidney(s) into the urethra (or less commonly to the vagina or uterus).

Most ectopic ureters cause symptoms very early on in life, but some dogs cope with the condition for many years before they show any sign of a problem. It’s treated with surgery, but this may not cure all ectopic ureters as some dogs may also need medication and specific care at home.

Spinal problems

Nerve problems in the spine such as spinal disc disease and degenerative myelopathy can cause incontinence if they affect the nerves that control the bladder.

Prostate problems

Prostate problems can sometimes cause incontinence in older male dogs because the urethra passes through the prostate.

Tumours in the urinary tract

Tumours in the bladder or urethra can sometimes cause incontinence.

Bladder infection (UTI)

A bladder or urinary tract infection (UTI) can occasionally cause temporary urinary incontinence due to swelling and pain in the urinary tract. If your dog already has incontinence, they may be more prone to getting bladder infections, which can temporarily make incontinence symptoms worse.

Dementia in dogs

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome or dog dementia affects older dogs and can lead to a mix of incontinence and forgetting house training.

Bladder stones

Bladder stones can cause short-term incontinence because they irritate the bladder, causing swelling and pain. Dogs with bladder stones tend to have blood in their urine, suffer with repeated bladder infections, and sometimes have trouble peeing. The stones sometimes pass in the urine, but can also cause blockages if they are large. Always contact your vet immediately if your dog is unable to pee.

Perineal hernia

A perineal hernia, is when internal organs push through and rupture the muscles near the anus (bottom), causing a visible bulge. Sometimes a perineal hernia can cause the bladder to move out of position, which causes incontinence. Perineal hernias are more common in males than females.

There are certain problems that look like incontinence but have another underlying cause. For example:

• A lack of proper toilet training – this is when a dog doesn’t yet fully understand where a suitable place to go to the toilet is. This can be trained using positive reward-based training.
• Submissive urination – this tends to happen if a dog feels scared, anxious or if they are being submissive and trying to please. Some dogs are particularly prone to this when they greet their owners or new people. This might look like they are weeing through overexcitement, but it’s actually because they are being submissive. It’s usually seen alongside other submissive behaviours such as flattening of their ears, avoiding eye contact, lowering of the head and neck, sitting or cowering, tucking their tail, or rolling onto their back and exposing their belly. We know this can be frustrating but it’s important not to punish them as your dog is not peeing on purpose.
• Pain – your dog may be too painful to walk outside or get into a squat position to toilet.
• Drinking and weeing more than usual – if your dog is drinking and weeing more than normal because of an underlying medical condition, they might end up weeing in the house or their bed.

Always contact your vet for advice tailored to you and your dog’s individual situation.

Symptoms

Symptoms of incontinence may come and go before becoming constant and can include:

• Wet patches on your dog's bed, furniture, or the floor, especially where they have been sitting or lying down.
• Urine dribbling while walking or after urinating.
• Licking their penis/vulva (back end) more than usual which can cause irritated skin. You may also notice they have damp legs – especially if they are long haired.
• A constant smell of urine – on your dog or around their bedding.

Depending on the cause of incontinence, your dog may also have other symptoms such as:

• Blood in urine
• Drinking and/or peeing more than usual
• Limping, stiffness or weakness in the back legs/lower spine
• Changes in appetite
• Faecal (poo) incontinence

Diagnosis

Your vet may ask some questions about your dog, for example when you notice the symptoms. They will then examine your dog. It may help if you try to collect a urine sample from your dog to take to the appointment. Depending on your dog’s symptoms, your vet may then offer further testing such as a blood test, an ultrasound and/or an x-ray.

If needed, your vet may refer your dog to a specialist vet for further investigations.

Treatment

Fortunately, most causes of urinary incontinence can be treated. Some dogs require medication (which they often need to stay on for the rest of their life), and others require surgery. Once your vet has found out why your dog is leaking urine, they will be able to decide on a treatment plan for them.

Home care - managing a dog with incontinence

There are a few things you can do to keep your dog comfortable/your home clean while you wait for their treatment to start working or if they continue to have incontinence issues, such as:

Absorbent bedding

Incontinent dogs tend to leak most when they lie down, stand up, and while they are sleeping. Covering your dog’s bed with a towel or absorbent pad (such as a puppy training pad) will help keep them dry, and prevent their bed getting wet and damaged.  

Regular cleaning/drying

Urine is often slightly acidic and can cause scalding if it’s left on skin for too long. It’s important to keep your dog as clean and dry as possible by bathing them as necessary (this may be several times a day, especially if your dog is struggling to clean themselves). So, make sure to monitor for any signs of skin problems. If your dog is longhaired, it may help to clip the fur around the back of their legs and backend.

Lifestyle change

It may help your dog to have more frequent trips outside to pee to encourage them to empty their bladder as much as possible.

When to contact your vet

Contact your vet as soon as you notice your dog leaking urine. If possible, try to collect a urine sample from your dog and take it to the appointment. For advice about how to do this, watch our video:

You know your dog best, always contact your vet if you’re concerned.

Cost

Treatment for urinary incontinence can become expensive, so it’s important to speak openly with your vet about the cost of treatment, your finances, and what you think is right for your dog. There is sometimes more than one treatment option, so if one doesn’t work for you/your dog then your vet may be able to offer another.

Consider taking out dog insurance as soon as you bring your dog home, before any signs of illness start. This will give you peace of mind that you have some financial support if they ever become unwell.

FAQs

Published: June 2024