No, with incontinence urine leaks involuntarily, often even during sleep. Telling your dog off doesn’t help, but having it checked by your vet does.
Incontinence in Dogs
When your dog can no longer reliably hold its urine.
At a glance
- What is it?
- Uncontrolled loss of urine or faeces; a symptom rather than a disease in its own right.
- Typical signs
- Damp patches where your dog lies, dribbling, leaking urine during sleep, frequent licking.
- Commonly affected
- Older dogs and neutered animals, especially females.
- Causes
- Weak sphincter muscles, hormones, urinary tract infections, conditions of the spine or nerves.
Interactive Symptom Check
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When should you see a vet?
Incontinence should always be investigated because very different causes can lie behind it. Go to the vet straight away if:
- your dog can no longer pass urine or strains without success,
- there is blood in the urine, the urine smells strongly or your dog has a fever,
- the incontinence occurs together with weakness in the hind legs, paralysis or back pain.
Incontinence means that your dog loses urine or stool uncontrollably, often while sleeping. This is not disobedience and not a disease in its own right, but a sign. Because very different causes can be behind it, incontinence should always be checked by a vet.
What does incontinence mean in dogs?
In incontinence, urine, less often stool, is passed unintentionally. Typical signs are damp spots where your dog lies, dribbling while walking, or wet fur on the belly and hind legs. Even dogs that have always been house-trained can suddenly be affected.
Common causes
- Weak sphincter muscle: especially in older and spayed females
- Hormonal changes: for example after neutering
- Urinary tract infections and bladder stones
- Nerve damage: for example after a herniated disc or with cauda equina syndrome
- Other diseases: that lead to too much thirst and urine, for example of the kidneys or hormones
How are nerves and bladder connected?
The brain, spinal cord and nerves control when the bladder fills and when it empties. If signal transmission is disturbed, for example by a disease of the spine, the dog can no longer reliably hold its urine or can no longer empty its bladder properly.
How does the vet find the cause?
Through an examination, a urine sample, often blood values and an ultrasound of the bladder. If nerve damage is suspected, a neurological examination follows. Whether and how well the incontinence can be treated depends on the cause.
What you can do in everyday life
- Plan frequent walks, including late in the evening and early in the morning.
- Use washable, non-slip pads where your dog lies.
- Keep the belly and hind legs clean and dry so the skin does not get irritated.
- Don’t scold, it’s not your dog’s fault.
- Aim for a weight you have agreed on with the vet.
Frequently asked questions about Incontinence
Is my dog doing it on purpose?
Can incontinence occur after neutering?
Yes, hormonal changes after neutering are one possible cause.
Can incontinence be treated?
That depends on the cause, which is why getting it checked by your vet is so important.
How can I make everyday life easier?
Plan frequent walks, use washable, non-slip mats and stick to fixed daily routines. Keep the belly and hind legs clean so that the skin doesn’t get irritated.
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Veterinary expertise at the heart of our team
Dr. med. vet. Sibylle Ott has been part of our team at DOG FIT by PreThis® from the very beginning. As an experienced vet, she supports our work professionally and contributes her knowledge of dog health. Her experience and her deep understanding of dogs’ needs are an important guide for us. She is a valuable treasure for our team and for the well-being of many dogs.
This content is for information only and does not replace advice from a vet. Our products are complementary feed for dogs. They do not replace a veterinary examination or treatment. If your dog has any health problems, please contact your vet.
